Mesenteric Adenitis

Anne Walsh, MMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA and Kashyap Trivedi, MD Reviewed 06/2018

BASICS

Inflammation of the mesenteric lymph nodes; a common cause of self-limited RLQ abdominal pain

DESCRIPTION

Characterized by benign inflammation of the mesenteric lymph nodes; can be acute or chro...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

The onset of symptoms is variable; nausea or abdominal pain is usually the initial presenting symptom. Symptoms are often nonspecific.

Nausea and vomiting (may precede abdominal pain)
...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

First Line

Supportive and symptomatic treatment for uncomplicated cases
IV fluid resuscitation if hypovolemic
Correct underlying electrolyte aberrations.
Pain control

Second Line

Broad-s...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Close outpatient monitoring is needed to ensure total resolution of symptoms which may last up to 4 weeks.

DIET

There are no specific dietary rec...

REFERENCES

Millet I, Alili C, Pages E, et al. Infection of the right iliac fossa. Diagn Interv Imaging. 2012;93(6):441–452. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]

Helbling R, Conficconi E, Wyttenbach M...

ADDITIONAL READING

Patlas MN, Alabousi A, Scaglione M, et al. Cross-sectional imaging of nontraumatic peritoneal and mesenteric emergencies. Can Assoc Radiol J. 2013;64(2):148–153.

CODES

ICD10

I88.0 Nonspecific mesenteric lymphadenitis

ICD9

289.2 Nonspecific mesenteric lymphadenitis

SNOMED

267548000 Nonspecific mesenteric adenitis
49631001 Acute mesenteric adenitis
191377002 Chronic ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

Mesenteric adenitis is an inflammatory process that mimics appendicitis and intussusception. Definitive diagnosis requires imaging.
More common in children, more often primary, and ofte...

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