Abstract: Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics and prognostic factors of primary abdominal cocoon.Methods The clinical features, CT information, treatment and prognosis of patients with primary abdominal cocoon in Beijing Tiantan Hospital from January 2000 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.Results All 6 patients showed an obstruction. Abdominal plain X-ray showed intestinal loop expansion of product gas and liquid gas plane in the small bowel. Abdominal CT examination showed a conglomeration of multiple small bowel loops encapsulated in a thickened capsule. Abdominal ultrasound examination showed some expansion of small bowel and 4 patients showed a small amount of ascites. Five patients had barium meal examination, all demonstrated barium slowly moved through the distal ileum, with one of the 5 patients showing stenosis in the distal ileum, another one showed complete obstruction. Laparotomy revealed that all or part of the small intestine was wrapped by a layer of dense gray tough fibrous membrane and the omentum was absent. All the patients underwent partial fiber membrane cystectomy, adhesion lysis, etc., 1 case underwent partial small bowel resection. All patients were cured.Conclusion Gastrointestinal imaging and abdominal CT examination has important diagnostic value for primary abdominal cocoon. Surgery is a safe and effective treatment.

Key words: abdominal cocoon, intestinal obstruction, peritoneal disease