Mesenteric lymphadenitis in children, a common disease but few people know
Doctor Tran Thanh Ha, Department of Pediatrics – International General Hospital (Registered International Hospital) Thu Cuc TCI said that mesenteric lymphadenitis is a condition in which the lymph glands in the abdomen (usually located in the mesentery) become inflamed and edematous, causing dull abdominal pain that does not last long. Usually the disease is not serious and will go away without treatment.
Mesenteric lymphadenitis is a fairly common cause of abdominal pain in children under 16 years old and is rarely seen in adults Mesenteric lymph nodes are difficult to diagnose and distinguish from other causes of abdominal pain such as appendicitis.
Clinical symptoms include: abdominal pain, often near the navel, intermittent dull pain with abdominal distension; vomiting due to gastrointestinal nerve stimulation; May be accompanied by diarrhea or constipation; fever and fatigue.
“There are mild cases where children only show mild dull pain that usually goes away after resting for a few hours. Mesenteric lymphadenitis is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are vague. The lymph nodes are specific and located deep in the abdomen so they cannot be felt, so the diagnosis is usually to rule out other causes that can cause this type of abdominal pain and then think about diagnosing mesenteric lymphadenitis. Ha added.
According to Dr. Ha, there is no specific test to make a definite diagnosis of lymphadenitis. mesentery. However, the following tests can help diagnose other conditions that can cause abdominal pain: blood tests urine tests to check for urinary tract infections abdominal ultrasound or CT scan. Sometimes features on ultrasound or CT scan showing typical swollen lymph nodes can help guide the diagnosis of mesenteric lymphadenitis.
“On ultrasound images, mesenteric lymph nodes are often detected. When the intestine increases in size, it can be seen that the intestinal loops are dilated and have increased peristalsis. Based on examination and ultrasound, it can be distinguished from appendicitis,” said Dr. Ha.
Dream abdominal pain. Be careful of mesenteric lymphadenitis
Baby H.P.K. (8 years old, Hanoi) has abdominal pain in the area around the navel, high fever of 38 5 degrees Celsius, symptoms lasting for 2 days. The baby was taken to the Pediatric Department for examination by his parents Thu Cuc International General Hospital TCI. Doctors prescribe blood tests to evaluate liver and kidney function… to rule out causes of pancreatitis.
After performing diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound, abdominal X-ray, The mesenteric lymph node located near the right iliac fossa is 19x10mm larger than normal size. The doctor concluded that the baby had acute mesenteric lymphadenitis, so he advised him to be hospitalized for monitoring.
During treatment for mesenteric lymphadenitis at TCI Thu Cuc International Hospital in the first 3 days of baby K were given fever-reducing fluids, oral antibiotics, vitamins to increase resistance, and Oresol electrolyte compensation.
In addition to cases of children with mesenteric lymphadenitis caused by bacteria like baby K. at Thu Cuc TCI International Hospital has also received many cases of children with viral mesenteric lymphadenitis.
Accordingly, baby N.T.H (5 years old – Hanoi) also came to the hospital. go to the hospital when you have severe abdominal pain. The family is worried that the baby has gastritis or appendicitis. However, after an abdominal ultrasound examination, mesenteric lymph nodes measuring 4 8 x 10 8 mm were detected. The doctor diagnosed the baby with digestive disorders and mesenteric lymphadenitis. Because there is no infectious factor, the baby does not need to be hospitalized or take antibiotics, but only needs some kind of digestive support.
Cases like baby N.T.H are not rare, but when the baby is born When experiencing symptoms such as abdominal pain with tingling pain or severe pain, most people think of other diseases instead of suspecting mesenteric lymphadenitis. However, if not diagnosed early, in some cases the disease can become dangerous.
When does mesenteric lymphadenitis in children become dangerous
According to the doctor, lymph nodes play an important role in the functioning of the immune system. They contain lymphocytes that function as filters or traps to retain foreign particles such as bacteria, viruses, other disease-causing microorganisms, etc., helping the body fight disease. In the process, the lymph nodes closest to the infection may become painful and swollen. Other lymph nodes are also often swollen under the chin in the armpit and groin.
Mesenteric lymphadenitis is often isolated and rarely causes complications. However, if swollen lymph nodes are caused by infection by dangerous bacteria and are not treated, the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream causing a severe, life-threatening infection (sepsis).
Many lymph nodes are red and swollen with a little inflammatory fluid leaking into the abdomen. During abdominal endoscopy, we can see the concentration of neutrophils from the blood into the lymphatic sinuses phagocytizing bacteria.
“Parents also need to be alert to some cases Rapidly enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes that do not respond to treatment have a suspicious image of malignant lymph nodes… At that time, the patient needs to undergo surgery to take a biopsy sample of the lymph node for histological examination to determine treatment direction. as accurate as possible” Dr. Ha shared more.
Proactive health is a column jointly produced by Dan Tri newspaper and Thu Cuc TCI Health System. The articles include advice from TCI’s team of experienced doctors to bring readers useful knowledge about proactive health care.
This June System Thu Cuc TCI Health System offers up to 50% discount on pediatric services for babies. Customers can contact the hotline 1900 55 88 92 for advice or see more here.
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