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Mesenteric Adenitis, Pediatric

Adrienne M. Scheich, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Mesenteric adenitis is defined as inflammation of the mesenteric lymph nodes. The inflamed nodes are usually clustered in the right lower quadrant (RLQ) small bowel mesentery or are ...

DIAGNOSIS

Can be difficult to differentiate from acute appendicitis clinically, and many patients may undergo laparotomy before diagnosis 

HISTORY

  • Abdominal pain

    • Dull ache as well as colicky pain occurs ...

TREATMENT

Most patients recover completely without any specific treatment. 

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Watch for 
  • Increasing abdominal pain

  • Vomiting

  • Fevers

  • Toxic appearance

  • Severe tenderness that is persistent

  • Guarding

  • Rigidity

  • Decreasing bowel sounds

PROGNOSIS

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Carty HM. Paediatric emergencies: non-traumatic abdominal emergencies. Eur Radiol.  2002;12(12):2835–2848. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Frisch M, Pedersen BV, Andersson RE. A...

CODES

ICD9

289.2 Nonspecific mesenteric lymphadenitis 

ICD10

I88.0 Nonspecific mesenteric lymphadenitis 

SNOMED

  • 267548000 Nonspecific mesenteric adenitis

  • 234090004 Tuberculous mesenteric adenitis (disorder)

  • ...

FAQ

  • Q: Can one differentiate clinically between acute appendicitis and nonspecific mesenteric adenitis?

  • A: Yes, but the differences can be subtle. Patients with nonspecific mesenteric adenitis generall...

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