Satyamanasa Gayatri Vinay S.1, Bruntha R.2, Sudhagar M.3
BACKGROUND
Mesenteric lymphadenitis (MLN) is found commonly associated with children
having chronic abdominal pain, but its significance is rarely mentioned in
literature. Mesenteric lymphadenitis is the inflammation of the mesenteric lymph
nodes that drain the gastrointestinal tract. The present study was undertaken to
assess the prevalence and significance of mesenteric lymphadenopathy among
children with chronic abdominal pain (CAP).
METHODS
This is a single center retrospective case control study conducted in the
department of paediatrics of a private medical college in Puducherry. Data was
obtained from the records over a period of past 24 months. Cases were defined
as 5 - 15 years aged children presenting with chronic abdominal pain. Controls
were defined as 5 - 15 years aged children who were subjected to abdominal
ultrasonography for reasons other than abdominal pain. Records over past 24
months were studied and for uniformity of analysis, a total of 100 children aged
5 - 15 years, were included in both the groups. Data from the case records was
analysed retrospectively to calculate the prevalence of mesenteric lymphadenitis
in both the groups.
RESULTS
Chronic abdominal pain was almost equal in both sexes with a male : female ratio
of 0.9 : 1. In our study, the incidence of significant MLN among children with
chronic abdominal pain was 89 % [n = 89, out of 100 cases] and was 26 %
among controls [n = 26, out of 100 controls].
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that MLN is one of the most common findings in children with
CAP with higher incidence among cases than controls and is statistically
significant. Abdominal ultrasonography is a useful tool in the evaluation of CAP to
rule out organic causes.
