Mesenteric Lymphadenitis

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is an inflammation of lymph nodes. The lymph nodes that become inflamed are in a membrane that attaches the intestine to the abdominal wall. These lymph nodes are among the hundreds that help your body fight disease. They trap and destroy microscopic "invaders" like viruses or bacteria. These lymph nodes are among the hundreds that help your body fight disease. They trap and destroy microscopic "invaders" like viruses or bacteria. Mesenteric lymphadenitis often causes abdominal pain. It is most common in children and teens.

Mesenteric Lymphadenitis Causes:
Your lymph nodes play a vital role in your body's ability to fight off illness. They're scattered throughout your body to trap and destroy viruses, bacteria and other harmful organisms. In the process, the nodes closest to the infection can become sore and swollen for instance; the lymph nodes in your neck may swell when you have a sore throat. Other nodes that commonly swell are located under your chin and in your armpits and groin. Although less well known, you also have lymph nodes in the mesentery the thin tissue that attaches your intestine to the back of your abdominal wall. The most common cause of swollen mesenteric nodes is a viral infection, such as gastroenteritis commonly but incorrectly known as stomach flu. Some children develop an upper respiratory infection before or during a bout of mesenteric lymphadenitis, and experts speculate that there may be a link between the two.

Signs and symptoms of mesenteric lymphadenitis may include: Abdominal pain, often centered on the lower, right side, but the pain can sometimes be more widespread General abdominal tenderness, Fever. Depending on what's causing the ailment, other signs and symptoms may include: Diarrhea, Nausea and vomiting, general feeling of being unwell (malaise). In some cases, swollen lymph nodes are found on imaging tests for another problem. Mesenteric lymphadenitis that doesn't cause symptoms may need further evaluation.
Diagnosis: This disease can be diagnosed by several tests.
• Take your child's medical history: In addition to gathering details about your child's current signs and symptoms, your doctor likely will ask about any other medical conditions for which your child has been treated.
• Request laboratory tests: Certain blood tests can help determine whether your child has an infection and what type of infection it is.
• Order imaging studies: A computerized tomography (CT) scan of your child's abdomen can help differentiate between appendicitis and mesenteric lymphadenitis. Abdominal ultrasound also may be used.
Treatment: Mild, uncomplicated cases of mesenteric lymphadenitis and those caused by a virus usually go away on their own. Medications used to treat mesenteric lymphadenitis may include:
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and fever reducers may help relieve discomfort. However, avoid giving aspirin as this increases the risk of Reye's syndrome in children.
• Antibiotics may be prescribed for a moderate to severe bacterial infection. For the pain and fever of mesenteric lymphadenitis, have your child:
• Get plenty of rest. Adequate rest can help your child recover.
• Drink fluids. Liquids help prevent dehydration from fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Mesenteric lymphadenitis disease statistics in Switzerland: Switzerland government conduct analysis campaign on Mesenteric lymphadenitis in 2004. It has shown severe impact on people in Switzerland. Intestinal lipodystrophy, now referred to as Whipple's disease, was first recognized as a new disorder in 1907 by the great American pathologist George Hoyt Whipple This case report is a detailed description of a fatal illness in a patient with weight loss, arthritis, chronic cough, and fever. The illness caused pathological changes in the intestinal mucosa, mesenterium, heart, and lungs. As realized later, the same disorder had previously been described by Allchim and Hebb in 1895 but they had failed to recognize it as a new disease. Based on the presence of unsplit fat in the stools, intestine, and mesenteric glands, a disease of fat metabolism was supposed. “Rod-shaped organisms in silver-stained gland tissue, closely resembling the tubercle bacillus” were observed but not considered the etiology of the disease. However, no other tissue was available for further analysis. The histological criteria for Whipple's disease were summarized by Black-Schaffer in 1949, periodic acid-Schiff reagent (PAS) was used to stain inclusions in macrophages found in the intestines and mesenteric lymph nodes of patients with this disease. With the help of electron microscopy free rod-shaped bodies with an outer membrane were noticed in the lamina propria. The authors considered the possibility of virus-like particles. A probable bacterial etiology of Whipple's disease was first considered in 1961 based on light and electron microscopy.