Mesenteric lymphadenitis – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Lymphadenitis is the inflammation of lymph nodes. The lymph nodes play an important role in the body’s immune system. The lymph nodes store lymphocytes called white blood cells. They also fight and protect the body against infections.

When a pathogen infects the body, the lymph nodes swell, and there will be an increase in the number of white blood cells. When the lymph nodes swell, it can be assisted with pain.

In the case of mesenteric lymphadenitis, the lymph nodes near the abdomen swell and can cause pain in the abdomen. When the lymph nodes that connect the bowel to the mesentery (abdominal wall) swell, this condition is called mesenteric lymphadenitis.

The lymph nodes help to filter the pathogens and other harmful foreign substances that enter the body. The lymph nodes are usually pea-sized. They become large and tender when they are inflamed.

When there is inflammation in the abdomen, it can cause certain abdominal discomfort. Teenagers and children are most commonly affected by this condition. However, mesenteric lymphadenitis is less common in adults and people aged above 20.

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is a rare condition and usually will not require any specialised treatment. It will resolve on its own. Sometimes, mesenteric lymphadenitis is confused with appendicitis in teens.

Causes

Mesenteric lymphadenitis can occur due to bacterial and viral infections. Sometimes, inflammation can indicate cancer or other digestive system diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Viruses

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is commonly caused by viral infection. Stomach flu or gastroenteritis causes inflammation of lymph nodes. Mesenteric lymphadenitis caused by viral infection is called mesenteric adenitis.

Viral infection like tuberculosis and HIV also causes inflammation in the lymph nodes. The common symptoms will be tender and red skin over the lymph node and fever.

Bacteria

Bacterial infections like cat scratch disease and Helicobacter pylori can cause mesenteric lymphadenitis. The cat scratch disease is a rare infection.

When a cat licks a person’s open wound or scratches or bites a person harsh enough to break the skin of the person. It can cause infection.

The bacterial infection passes through the cat’s saliva. The infected area will be swollen with red rounds. This can be assisted with lesions and pus.

Bartonella henselae is a gram-negative bacteria that causes inflammation in the lymph nodes and leads to mesenteric lymphadenitis.

Parasites

Parasites are organisms that live on the host for food and other needs. Parasitic infection can also cause mesenteric lymphadenitis.  

Toxoplasmosis and giardiasis cause enlargement of mesenteric lymph nodes, which can lead to mesenteric lymphadenitis.

Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The infection occurs when a person consumes undercooked or contaminated meat, foods that are exposed to cat faeces and from infected mother to child.

The infection leads to inflammation in the lymph nodes and seizures. Mesenteric lymphadenitis caused by the toxoplasmosis infection is called Toxoplasma Lymphadenitis.

Giardiasis is a parasitic infection that causes infection in the small intestine, which leads to swollen lymph nodes.

This infection commonly occurs in poorly sanitised areas and in contaminated water. Giardiasis is caused by the parasite giardia. It causes abdominal pain, vomiting, watery diarrhoea and bloats.

Gastroenteritis

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is commonly caused by gastroenteritis. It is also called as stomach flu, which causes inflammation in the lymph nodes.

Yersinia enterocolitica

Yersinia enterocolitica is a zoonotic disease. The infection is caused by contaminated food products like unpasteurised milk and secondary contaminated meat products.

Yersinia enterocolitica infection causes mesenteric lymphadenitis along with other medical conditions like meningitis, arthritis and sepsis.

Symptoms

The common symptoms of mesenteric lymphadenitis are briefed below. Most symptoms of mesenteric lymphadenitis are confused with appendicitis.

Pain in the abdomen

Pain in the abdomen is a common symptom of mesenteric lymphadenitis. Pain is caused due to inflammation in the lymph nodes.

Tenderness in the abdomen

The tenderness in the abdomen is due to inflammation in the lymph nodes.

Fever

Sometimes people infected with mesenteric lymphadenitis may have fever assisted with chills.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are less common. Since mesenteric lymphadenitis is an intestine-related disease, nausea and vomiting can be common.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can be caused by severe conditions of mesenteric lymphadenitis.

Weight loss

People affected with mesenteric lymphadenitis sometimes have a loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss.

Malaise

Malaise is also called general discomfort. When people are affected with mesenteric lymphadenitis, symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhoea can cause discomfort.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis depends on the type of mesenteric lymphadenitis. A certain medical history will be required for the diagnosis of mesenteric lymphadenitis.

CT (computed tomography) scan

Imaging studies like the CT scan help to view the inflammation in the abdomen. The affected person’s lymph node may appear clustered and enlarged when diagnosed under a CT scan.

Ultrasound

Usually, a CT scan is sufficient for the diagnosis of mesenteric lymphadenitis. Sometimes, the clinical manifestation of mesenteric lymphadenitis may be appendicitis. Ultrasound diagnosis helps to confirm the presence of the disease.

Abdominal ultrasound is the most commonly used diagnostic method. The abdominal ultrasound gives a clear view of the structures that are present inside the abdomen. The inflammation in the lymph nodes can be clearly seen by this diagnostic method.

Treatment

In most cases, mesenteric lymphadenitis does not require specialised treatment. The infection caused by a virus is usually less severe and goes away on its own. There are certain factors discussed below to acquire full recovery from the disease.

Rest

The inflammation occurs in children or in adults. Adequate rest is required to recover completely from any disease or condition. Children require complete rest and good food for them to recover.

It is very difficult for the children to stay at home without doing any activity. Most children have the feeling of tiredness and may have a loss of appetite.

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is rare in adults, and when they are infected, complete rest will be recovered. To completely recover from the condition, it takes about four weeks.

Drinking water to stay hydrated

Hydration is very important to compensate for the fluid loss in the body due to diarrhoea and vomiting. Consuming water will help to increase the appetite and reduces body temperature.

Applying heat to the abdomen with a heating pad

Applying mild heat with a hot bag can help with the pain due to inflammation. This will help with the symptoms of malaise. Applying heat can also help with the pain due to inflammation in the lymph nodes.

Taking over-the-counter pain medication

When the fever and pain do not settle down, some over-the-counter medication can help. Medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are effective and safe drugs against the symptoms of fever and pain.

When giving medications like aspirin to children and teenagers, you should be extra cautious. Some medications can have certain side effects on children.

Drink fluids

Some people may have a loss of appetite during the recovery. Fluid intake may help with loss of appetite and helps with fluid loss.

Fresh juice and some electrolyte powders may help with fluid loss and restore the lost fluid in the body.

Antibiotic therapy

Mesenteric lymphadenitis may go away on its own, but in severe cases, it might require medical treatment. In such cases, antibiotics are used to treat the inflammation in the lymph nodes.

Mostly a broad-spectrum antibiotic is used to treat mesenteric lymphadenitis. The treatment also depends on the pathogen that has caused the infection and the severity of the disease. For mild cases, antibiotic treatment is not required.

Risk factor

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is rare in adults, and commonly affected age groups are teens and children. The risk factors for the infection are discussed below.

Stomach Flu

Sometimes, bad stomach flu may result in mesenteric lymphadenitis. The infection caused by a virus, bacteria or parasite may lead to mesenteric lymphadenitis. Treatment might be required, but proper food is required to prevent such infection.

If a person is infected with such a condition, it is necessary to take proper food and hydrate yourself to recover from the condition.

Respiratory infection

Sometimes a respiratory infection can indicate mesenteric lymphadenitis. Especially an upper respiratory tract infection can indicate a person infected with mesenteric lymphadenitis.

Undercooked Food

Consuming undercooked can increase the risk of mesenteric lymphadenitis. When foods like meat and red meat are undercooked, this might lead to microbial growth in the foods.

When these foods are consumed, they can lead to inflammation of lymph nodes in the abdomen. The common bacteria that are found in undercooked meat are Yersinia enterocolitica.

Other diseases like stomach flu and tuberculosis may also be caused when consuming undercooked foods.

Conclusion

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is a common condition and, in most cases, will not require medical treatment.

If you have any symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.

Children affected with mesenteric lymphadenitis may experience discomfort and pain. But they gradually alleviate, and full recovery happens after four weeks.

Even if the pain has resolved, sometimes a diagnosis may be required to be sure of the recovery.

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