Paediatrics

Mesenteric Adenitis

Mesenteric adenitis is reactive inflammation of mesenteric lymph nodes, often after a viral illness, causing abdominal pain that can mimic appendicitis; it is a diagnosis reached after safe clinical exclusion and observation rather than by enlarged nodes alone.

Definition

Mesenteric adenitis is reactive inflammation of mesenteric lymph nodes, usually after a viral or enteric infection, causing acute abdominal pain in children. It is clinically important because its symptoms overlap with appendicitis and enlarged nodes are non-specific.

First principles

Reactive lymph nodes can cause right-sided pain

The mesenteric nodes drain the bowel and respond to viral or enteric infection. Ileocaecal node inflammation can produce central or right iliac fossa pain, but the same location is shared by appendicitis and other surgical disorders.

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