Clinical Presentation

A 45-year-old man presents with intermittent watery diarrhea.

(A) Barium small-bowel series shows a group of separated jejunal loops (arrows) that appear to be tethered at the center. (B) Noninfused computed tomography (CT) shows a spicular, partially calcified mesenteric soft- tissue mass (arrowhead) with associated tethering of adjacent small bowel (arrow).

Differential Diagnosis

• Small-bowel mesenteric carcinoid: A spiculated, calcified mass at the mesenteric root, tethered small bowel, and watery diarrhea are highly suggestive of this entity.

• Retractile mesenteritis: This is a classic alternative to carcinoid for soft-tissue thickening centered at the superior mesenteric root. The calcifications are typically denser than those of carcinoid.