Diagnosis and treatment of mesenteric lymphadenitis

The article was professionally consulted by MSc Vu Van Quan - Department of General Surgery & Anesthesia - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

It is difficult to diagnose mesenteric lymphadenitis because the symptoms are often nonspecific and the lymph nodes are located deep in the abdomen. Usually no treatment for mesenteric lymphadenitis is needed because the disease usually improves within a few days and is almost completely resolved within 2 weeks.

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is an inflammation of the lymph nodes in the mesentery that attach the intestine to the abdominal wall. The disease is common in children and adolescents. The most common cause of mesenteric lymphadenitis is a viral infection. Less common are bacterial infections, such as intestinal infections, or gastroenteritis,...
Common symptoms of mesenteric lymphadenitis are:
Abdominal pain. The pain is usually around the navel or right iliac fossa. Fever and malaise. Vomiting or diarrhea may occur. Accompanied by a sore throat, or a cold before an upset stomach. Lymph nodes help the body fight disease, when inflamed, there will be atypical abdominal pain and fever, often mistaken for appendicitis. Fortunately, mesenteric lymphadenitis rarely causes complications and also leaves dangerous sequelae.

Another case, it is in a pregnant woman with an ectopic pregnancy. If you have an ectopic pregnancy during the first 3 months of pregnancy, the symptoms of abdominal pain can be similar to those of mesenteric lymphadenitis.

It is difficult to definitively diagnose mesenteric lymphadenitis because the symptoms are nonspecific and the lymph nodes are located deep in the abdomen and cannot be palpated. Therefore, your doctor may use a number of tests and techniques to diagnose the cause of abdominal pain:
Blood tests : to detect infectious factors Urine tests to check and find the cause if have a urinary tract infection. Abdominal Ultrasound or CT Scan: Features on ultrasound or CT Scan showing typical lymphadenopathy may help guide the diagnosis of mesenteric lymphadenitis as well as help differentiate between appendicitis and mesenteric lymphadenitis.

In the treatment of mesenteric lymphadenitis:
Usually, the symptoms of mesenteric lymphadenitis usually improve within a few days and almost completely resolve within 2 weeks without specific treatment. Patients only need to take medicine to reduce fever and relieve pain. In addition, the patient also needs to rest, drink plenty of warm water and apply a warm compress to the abdomen. Treat the cause: Treat the cause of mesenteric lymphadenitis if detected. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent complications from sepsis.

In some special cases, the patient may need surgery or laparoscopy. These cases are usually applied when an intra-abdominal cause is suspected to ensure that serious pathology is not missed, such as appendicitis.
Patients, especially young children with mesenteric lymphadenitis, should be given liquid foods that are easy to digest. You can feed your child ground rice flour or porridge and avoid foods that cause inflammation. In addition, you also need to let your child drink a lot of water and supplement with minerals, green vegetables, vitamins, to help them recover quickly.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination, consulting and service services. comprehensive and professional medical treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.
Master. Doctor. Vu Van Quan has more than 10 years of experience working in the field of General Gastroenterology, specializing in examining and treating surgical pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, bile, pancreas and diseases of the abdominal peritoneum and abdominal wall.