Evaluation of mesenteric lymph nodes in children by ultrasonography

Abstract

Mesenteric lymph nodes are commonly identified in children with infectious, non-infectious and malignant or inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal system as well as in asymptomatic children. Development of ultrasound technology has made it possible to determine mesenteric lymph nodes much easier. With this study we assessed the distribution, number, size and shape of lymph nodes with ultrasonography in 100 child with no complaint of abdominal pain who underwent ultrasonography for other reasons. In all patients we evaluated the largest mesenteric lymph node. The children were divided into three age groups as 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 11 to 14 years. We did not find any correlation between the three age groups and the distribution, number and size of lymph nodes. Our study showed that ellipsoid lymph nodes with its large diameter of less than 10 mm and a small diameter of less than 4 mm can be considered as a normal finding in asymptomatic children.