Table 1 the principal features of the mass-like me- senteric fibromatosis and gastrointestinal stromal tumours that might prove helpful in differentiat- ing these two entities are summarized.12,13,17-21 On the other hand, it should be remembered that a recurrent mass after oncological operations may prove to be an intra-abdominal desmoid, and not necessarily a metastasis. Lee et al.22 reported a case of intraabdominal fibromatosis that occurred after the resection of a gastric stromal tumour. A similar case of intra-abdominal fibromatosis suspicious of local recurrence was reported after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.23 Failure to differentiate mesenteric fibromatosis from other tumours may lead to an in- appropriate treatment and a worse prognosis. In conclusion, the diagnosis of mesenteric fi- bromatosis should always be considered in mesen- chymal tumours originating from the bowel wall that diffusely infiltrate the mesentery. References 1. Zhou YL, Boardman LA, Miller RC. 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