Omental Panniculitis is a medical term used to describe inflammation of the omental adipose tissue. The term has two main parts. The first part, "omental," is pronounced as "oʊˈmɛntəl", with the stress on the first syllable. It refers to the omentum, a fold of membrane that connects the stomach with other organs in the abdominal cavity. The second part, "panniculitis," is pronounced as "pænɪkjʊˈlaɪtɪs". It refers to the inflammation of subcutaneous adipose tissue, commonly known as a "skin fat" layer.
Omental Panniculitis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation and thickening of the omentum, a layer of fatty tissue that hangs down from the stomach and covers the abdominal organs. This condition is also referred to as mesenteric panniculitis or retractile mesenteritis.
The omentum plays a critical role in protecting and cushioning abdominal organs. However, in cases of omental panniculitis, the omentum becomes inflamed due to unknown reasons, causing it to thicken and become scarred. This can lead to the development of small nodules or masses within the omentum.
Common symptoms of omental panniculitis include abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort. The pain can range from mild to severe and may be localized or diffused across the abdomen. Additionally, patients may experience changes in bowel habits, weight loss, and occasionally fever.
Although the exact cause of omental panniculitis is not fully understood, it is believed to be an autoimmune or inflammatory response. Other potential triggers include infections, trauma, or prior abdominal surgeries.
Diagnosis of omental panniculitis typically involves a combination of imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound. Biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment options for omental panniculitis aim to alleviate symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. This can involve the use of pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, or in severe cases, surgical intervention to remove the affected omentum. Regular monitoring and follow-up with healthcare professionals are often necessary to manage this chronic condition effectively.
The word "omental panniculitis" has its roots in Greek and Latin.
1. Omental: The term "omental" comes from the Latin word "omentum", which means "a covering" or "fold". The omentum is a fold of the peritoneum (the membrane lining the abdominal cavity) that connects the stomach with other abdominal organs.
2. Panniculitis: "Panniculitis" is derived from the Greek word "pannus", meaning "tissue". It refers to inflammation of the subcutaneous fat tissue. "Panniculus" comes from the Latin word "pannus", which also means "tissue".
When combined, "omental panniculitis" refers to inflammation occurring specifically in the omentum, the fold of peritoneum that contains fat tissue.