Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is a rare chronic inflammatory condition often with unknown origins. We report a case of an abdominal cocoon or sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, which was suspected to be a result of bowel obstruction. Tuberculosis peritonitis was also suspected. However, the exact diagnosis was unclear, and it was diagnosed as an idiopathic abdominal cocoon. The patient's history is of clear relevance in this diagnosis, and this report will be of interest to clinicians attending to cases of bowel obstruction.