Congenital Peritoneal Encapsulation: A Literature Review of a Rare Pathology

Abstract

Congenital peritoneal encapsulation (CPE) is a rare, congenital entity in which an accessory peritoneal membrane surrounds the small bowel. This condition is usually asymptomatic and rarely causes intestinal obstruction. Despite the rare cause of intestinal obstruction, it has excellent post-operative recovery. There is no gold standard approach for investigating CPE; however, a computerized tomography scan of the abdomen might be helpful. Furthermore, diagnostic laparoscopy could be considered an adjunct. This report highlights the rare congenital anomaly as a cause of intestinal obstruction.

Keywords: abdominal cocoon; congenital peritoneal encapsulation; rare congenital anomaly; small intestinal obstruction; surgery.

Figure 1. PRISMA flowchart

PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Figure 2. Interventions reported across all the studies

Figure 3. Computerized tomography scan images of our institutional case

(A - Axial view, B - Sagittal view, C - Coronal view) Features of loculated, encysted, mechanical small-bowel obstruction with a sac-like appearance (red arrows) containing dilated jejunal and proximal iliac loops.