Abdominal lymph nodes: location features, causes of enlargement and inflammation. Mesenteric lymph nodes are enlarged in a child causes Inflamed ileal lymph nodes

They are quite common in both adults and children. Many try to associate them with any food or drink consumed the day before. This reason for the development of events also takes place, but not always.

Abdominal pain can also be caused by more serious factors. One of them is enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity. In a child and in an adult, the symptoms of this pathology are approximately the same. The difference is that a small patient sometimes does not know how to clearly enough explain what is wrong with him. Worried parents can link his complaints of abdominal pain with a dozen reasons that do not have a place in this case. Some even begin to self-medicate, thereby aggravating the condition of the baby.

The article provides an answer to questions about why a child may have enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity, how to differentiate this pathology from other problems with the digestive tract, what treatment is required.

lymph nodes

Let's start with a brief overview of these small but very important organs. The lymph node is a natural filter that helps get rid of all kinds of pathogenic agents that have entered the body.

Its structure is quite complex. In general terms, a lymph node is a small (up to 50 mm maximum) sac of a round, bean-shaped or oval shape, to which lymphatic vessels fit (several incoming and one outgoing). Outside, the "pouch" is covered with a sheath consisting of connective tissue. Inside it is filled with the so-called stroma, which is made up of reticular fibers. In the space between them, a large number of lymphocytes of various types are concentrated.

Lymph, slowly seeping through the reticular fibers, as if through a sieve, is cleared of all kinds of pathogenic agents that it has "collected" in the body (bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and so on). If a person has any disease, too many harmful elements enter the lymph. Lymph nodes no longer cope with their task and become inflamed. This symptom always indicates the presence of some pathogenic process in the body.

Examining the patient, the doctor discovers that he has enlarged lymph nodes. In the abdominal cavity of a child and an adult, there are about 600 of them. They are located not one at a time, but in groups that are remotely similar to a bunch of grapes. Lymph nodes are concentrated in the peritoneum where blood and lymphatic vessels pass - near the stomach, liver, spleen, mesentery, intestines.

Causes of inflammation

Based on the foregoing, one can easily understand why the lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in a child are enlarged. In general, this condition is called lymphadenopathy, and inflammation of the lymph nodes specifically in the mesentery is called mesadenitis. It is caused by the following reasons:

  • Any bacterial infection (streptococcus, staphylococcus, salmonella, tuberculosis, E. coli).
  • Any viral infection (enterovirus, herpes).
  • Worm invasion.
  • fungal infection.
  • In rare cases, toxic poisoning.

Pathogenic elements enter the lymph nodes with blood, lymph, and also through the lumen of the tract (worms).

Sometimes in the tissue of the lymph nodes, the infection seeps directly from the intestine.

What diseases are observed mesadenitis

Basically, the lymph nodes in a child in the abdominal cavity are enlarged due to the development of diseases in the organs near which they are located. Among them:

  • Helminthiases.
  • Brucellosis.
  • Hepatitis.
  • Trichinosis.
  • Ascariasis.
  • Echinococcosis.
  • Salmonellosis.
  • Mononucleosis.

But often the lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity of the child are enlarged due to the occurrence of infectious diseases that are not associated with the digestive tract. Among them:

  • Flu.
  • SARS.
  • Tuberculosis.
  • Pneumonia.
  • Herpes.
  • Lupus erythematosus.

Also cause an increase in lymph nodes in the peritoneum can:

  • AIDS.
  • Syphilis.
  • Malignant tumors (metastasis in the gastrointestinal tract).

Mostly these ailments are observed in adults, but they also occur in children.

Classifications

A disease in which the lymph nodes in the child's abdominal cavity are enlarged can occur suddenly or last for years. Depending on the nature of the flow, its forms are distinguished:

  • Acute.
  • Chronic.

Depending on the number of enlarged lymph nodes, there are forms:

  • Local (affects one node).
  • Regional (more than one lymph node is enlarged).
  • Generalized (the entire peritoneum is affected).

According to etiology, the following forms are distinguished:

  • Primary (occurs as an independent disease).
  • Secondary (occurs against the background of infections in the digestive tract, respiratory and other).

Enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity in a child: symptoms

In children, an acute form of pathology is more often diagnosed. It is characterized by a violent manifestation. Its manifestations are as follows:

  • A sharp rise in temperature.
  • Complaints of pain in the abdomen (paroxysmal, acute, localized or diffuse).
  • Anxiety of children, tearfulness, capriciousness.
  • Vomit.
  • Complaints of nausea.
  • Diarrhea (this symptom often leads parents to think that the child ate something wrong).
  • Palpation of enlarged lymph nodes on palpation.

In the chronic form, all these symptoms are less pronounced. Also, with a long course of the disease, in which the child has enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity, the stomach hurts in the navel, or the pain spreads to the lower sections. Sometimes children can hardly explain where exactly it hurts, as the discomfort is fuzzy, palpable in the entire abdominal region.

Tuberculous mesadenitis

According to medical statistics, an increase in lymph nodes in the peritoneum is more often observed in children aged 6-14 years. In view of this, the occurrence of such a condition due to the defeat of Koch's sticks (tuberculous form) is diagnosed in rare cases. It arises due to the fact that disease-causing rods from the lungs enter the lymph, and with it are brought into the lymph nodes of the peritoneum. In this case, the following signs of inflammation are observed:

  • The child becomes indifferent to games, lethargic.
  • Appetite disappears.
  • There is weight loss.
  • Disturbs cough, which is not treatable by classical methods.
  • The skin becomes pale.
  • The temperature is kept within 37.1-37.3 degrees Celsius.

If it is because of the alleged tuberculosis, what should I do? First of all, you need to perform a test for the presence of Koch's sticks in the blood. It is better known as the Mantoux reaction.

In our time, you can catch tuberculosis anywhere - in transport, in children's institutions, during public events. At risk are children in whom one of the family members suffers from this disease, as well as those babies who have undergone any disease or operation, after which their immunity has decreased. Parents of such children should immediately consult a doctor if the child has the above symptoms.

The difference between mesadenitis and appendicitis, gastritis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite, weakness, fatigue, stool disorder (diarrhea / constipation) are observed in most diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is almost impossible to make a diagnosis on the basis of clinical manifestations alone. This is especially true if the patient is a small child who cannot really explain anything. The following characteristic features can help in making a preliminary diagnosis:

  • With gastritis, discomfort increases after eating. Also (in addition to the signs of mesadenitis listed above), patients may experience flatulence, heartburn, and belching. With inflammation of the lymph nodes, there are no such symptoms.
  • With appendicitis, sharp pains are most often localized in the right side of the peritoneum (in the iliac region). Palpation of this area causes muscle tension and increased pain. Another sign is that the temperature in the rectal zone differs from that measured under the armpit by 1 or more degrees. There are a number of syndromes by which an experienced doctor can distinguish appendicitis from inflammation of the lymph nodes.
  • With shigellosis (dysentery), the symptoms are very similar to the manifestation of an acute form of mesadenitis. The difference is that in the first case, patients have repeated diarrhea, accompanied by the appearance of mucus and blood in the feces.

Diagnostics

All parents should remember that it is necessary to immediately call an ambulance for the child if he has:

  • A sharp rise in temperature.
  • Vomit.
  • Complaints of pain in the abdomen.
  • Diarrhea.

Self-medication in such cases is unacceptable, since drugs "for diarrhea" or "for fever" can reduce or temporarily completely remove the symptoms, which will affect the diagnosis. As a result, the child may die.

The doctor first of all conducts a clinical examination of the patient, performs palpation of the peritoneum, various medical tests that help to exclude some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

In a medical facility, a child is required to perform a number of tests:

  • General blood (determines the level of hemoglobin and leukocytes).
  • Biochemical blood (detects the presence of hepatitis viruses and other pathogenic microorganisms).
  • Total urine (shows the number of leukocytes in it).
  • Coprogram (using this analysis, the presence / absence of blood in the stool is detected).
  • Mantoux test.
  • Feces on eggs worm.

These studies help doctors exclude appendicitis, hepatitis, helminthiasis, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract in a patient.

Also, in a medical facility, they check how enlarged the lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity are in the child, according to ultrasound. Additionally, specialists examine the liver, pancreas, kidneys, bile ducts.

In cases where these studies do not give an accurate picture of the patient's condition, additional tests are performed on him:

  • Radiography.
  • Tomography (CT, MRI).
  • Laparoscopy.
  • Fibrogastroscopy.

Therapy Methods

If the child has enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity, treatment can be carried out at home or in a hospital. This is determined by the doctor, depending on the severity of the pathological process. In some cases, all treatment consists of bed rest, elimination of the underlying disease (for example, influenza) and taking vitamins to strengthen the immune system. After recovery, all systems and organs gradually return to normal. This also applies to the lymph nodes.

In other cases, drug therapy is carried out, which is primarily aimed at eliminating the causes of the pathology, that is, the underlying disease.

To relieve inflammation in the lymph nodes are prescribed:

  • "Tempalgin".
  • "Papaverine".
  • "Drotaverine".
  • "Ketorolac".

If inflammation of the lymph nodes is caused by intoxication, infusion solutions are prescribed, such as Neocompensan and its analogues.

Also, children can be prescribed physiotherapy, including compresses, UVI.

Both children and adults, when enlarged lymph nodes are found, are prescribed a diet without fail (table No. 5). It excludes from the diet all foods that promote active digestion (spicy, spicy, salty, and so on), fresh bread, fried, smoked, spicy seasonings.

Complications

If you do not contact the doctor immediately, as soon as the child has complaints of abdominal pain, accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and high fever, but instead self-medicate, then mesodenitis and lymphadenopathy that are not considered life-threatening can give serious complications:

  • Suppuration of inflamed lymph nodes. At the same time, the patient's condition worsens significantly: abdominal pain intensifies, the temperature rises (up to 40 degrees), symptoms of severe intoxication appear.
  • Peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum).
  • Localized mesadenitis develops into generalized (throughout the body).
  • Sepsis. This is one of the most dangerous complications that occur when pathogenic microorganisms enter the bloodstream.

The child has enlarged lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity and spleen

In the human peritoneum, in its upper left part, there is a small organ called the spleen. In the fetus, it is the organ of hematopoiesis. In a newborn child and in the future until the end of a person's life, the spleen performs many important functions, including lymphopoiesis. This means that lymphocytes and antibodies are produced in it. It also serves, like lymph nodes, as a natural filter that traps pathogenic agents (bacteria, viruses, foreign particles).

If a child has a stomach ache, according to ultrasound, the lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity and the spleen are enlarged - this is a sign that an inflammatory process is taking place in the body caused by infection with pathogenic microbes or protozoa.

However, an enlarged spleen can mean another nasty disease - lymphoma. It is diagnosed in people of any age, including children. Other names for the pathology are lymphogranulomatosis, Hodgkin's disease.

Its characteristic features are that at the first stages, enlarged lymph nodes practically do not manifest themselves in any way and are found only by chance, for example, during ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. They can spontaneously increase and decrease without causing discomfort to the patient. With the development of the disease, symptoms such as fever, weight loss, refusal to eat, night sweats, and abdominal pain appear. Inflamed lymph nodes and the spleen cease to perform their main function - protection from microbes. Therefore, in people with such a pathology, immunity is sharply reduced.

The reason for the enlargement of the spleen is the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus (herpes 4) in the blood. It is found in approximately 50% of children older than 5 years of age, but not all develop lymphoma. Provoking factors are conditions that reduce immunity (diseases, operations, stress, poor nutrition), and genetic predisposition.

Methods of treatment depend on the degree of development of the disease. In the early stages, antiviral therapy is prescribed using the drugs "Valacyclovir", "Ganciclovir" and their analogues. If indicated, surgery may be performed to remove the spleen.

Forecasts and prevention

Detected in the early stages in the peritoneum and correctly diagnosed, they help to cope with the problem before the occurrence of dangerous complications. Unfortunately, in practice, enlarged lymph nodes are not immediately detected. Often the patient does not suspect that he has such an ailment. Pathology is detected by chance during any examination of the digestive tract. Late detection worsens forecasts.

Self-medication in the event of symptoms of inflammation of the lymph nodes can result in the death of the child.

Prevention of mesadenitis and lymphadenopathy are the following activities:

  • Vaccinations (for example, against influenza, hepatitis).
  • Timely detection and treatment of the underlying disease.
  • Proper nutrition.
  • Strengthening immunity.
  • hardening.
  • Hygiene.

Such measures can reduce the risk of many infectious diseases, such as influenza, SARS, helminthiasis, which cause an increase in lymph nodes in the peritoneum.

Mesenteritis (another name for mesadenitis) is the inflammation of the lymph nodes located in the intestinal mesentery (the part of the peritoneum that supports the small intestine and fixes it on the back wall of the abdomen). Often the disease is accompanied by severe intoxication and abdominal pain.

In general, there are about 500 lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity. They perform a very important function. This is a kind of barrier that does not allow the spread of infection throughout the body. As soon as an infection or a foreign organism enters the lymph node, inflammation begins, during which it suppurates.

Most of the patients are young children and adolescents. As a rule, boys are more susceptible to the disease than girls.

Causes of mesadenitis

Mesenteritis - symptoms, treatment, causes

Until now, doctors cannot establish the exact causes of the development of mesadenitis. However, it has been established that infectious agents enter the lymph nodes either by the enterogenic route (from the intestinal lumen) or by the lymphogenous route (with blood and lymph flow), that is, from the primary focus, which can be located in any organ. Therefore, almost every virus or bacterium can lead to the development of the disease (if comfortable conditions are “created” in the body), as well as other pathologies:

  • enterovirus causes watery stools, intestinal pain, flatulence;
  • adenovirus - the cause of the development of ARVI;
  • streptococci and staphylococci, which show their pathogenic "character" only with a decrease in immunity;
  • Epstein-Barr virus (also called "human herpes virus type 4"), which is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis, as well as a wide variety of oncopathologies that are very difficult to treat;
  • mycobacteria (cause tuberculosis);
  • cytomegalovirus;
  • causative agents of acute intestinal infections;
  • Burkitt's lymphomas - neoplasms in the lymph nodes of a malignant nature, which are localized mainly in the submandibular and mesenteric lymph nodes;
  • Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm of the nasal mucosa.

Symptomatic picture

The course of the disease resembles, according to the main signs, an acute form of appendicitis. Mesenteritis begins suddenly. First, there is pain in the upper abdomen. However, much more often it is of a “spilled” nature, that is, the patient cannot say exactly where exactly he feels pain. But unlike inflammation of the appendix, pain does not subside with the progression of the inflammatory process. The pain is dull, tolerable, but increases with each change in body position, even with a slight cough.

Over time, the patient "gets used" to constant pain and discomfort in the intestinal area and does not go to the doctor. But it should be noted that at this time suppuration of the lymph nodes occurs, which subsequently leads to the development of acute peritonitis or intestinal obstruction (occurs due to an increase in the lymph nodes that compress the intestines).

Dyspeptic syndrome also develops, which manifests itself in disruption of the digestive tract:

  • frequent nausea that occurs after almost every meal;
  • vomiting is usually single;
  • intense thirst and dry mucous membranes;
  • lack of appetite;
  • sometimes diarrhea.

Body temperature often rises to 39 degrees, while blood pressure changes dramatically, heart rate is rapid.
The chronic form of the disease is characterized by mild manifestations. Only sometimes there is pain of unclear localization, the intensity of which increases with any load, even the most insignificant.

Diagnostic measures

In the anamnesis of the patient, the gastroenterologist often finds a record of the flu or tonsillitis transferred about 1 month ago. Diagnosis should be carried out completely, since inflammation of the lymph nodes often indicates more serious pathologies.

Before making a diagnosis, the doctor conducts a general examination, during which the patient's body temperature is determined, the abdomen is palpated to detect compacted lymph nodes, the skin and mucous membranes are examined.

Laboratory diagnostics includes:

  • a general blood test, namely an increase in the number of leukocytes, which indicates the development of an inflammatory process;
  • tuberculin test (recommended for suspected pulmonary tuberculosis);
  • a biochemical blood test is necessary to detect pathologies of internal organs, as well as a separate blood test to detect viral hepatitis;
  • a blood test for sterility is necessary to exclude ailments that are accompanied by a constantly elevated body temperature;
  • analysis of fecal masses for occult blood (in case of detection of symptoms indicating internal bleeding);
  • , or a general analysis of feces, detects underdigested foods, an increased amount of fat;
  • PCR (polymer chain reaction) helps to identify the causative agents of the disease: E. coli,
  • enteroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, streptococci and staphylococci, salmonella, mycobacteria.
  • Ultrasound of the liver, biliary tract, pancreas. In the course of the study, it is possible to detect compacted lymph nodes somewhat enlarged in size.
  • Diagnostic laparoscopy, which allows you to examine the abdominal organs through small incisions. During such an examination, inflamed lymph nodes are detected, and biomaterial can also be taken for further research.
  • CT is prescribed to study the condition of the abdominal organs, especially the stomach and duodenum.

In the course of differential diagnosis, appendicitis must first be ruled out. To do this, during a general examination, the doctor tries to identify symptoms specific to appendicitis, which will be negative for mesenteritis.

Treatment of mesadenitis

Treatment of the acute form of nonspecific mesadenitis should be carried out in a surgical hospital. Therapy is usually conservative. First of all, antibacterial drugs are prescribed. These can be 3rd generation cephalosporins (Cedex, Pancef) or 2nd generation fluoroquinolones (norfloxacin, ofloxacin).

To stop pain attacks, antispasmodics (nl-shpa, papaverine) or analgesics (ketorolac) are usually prescribed, with acute pain, pararenal blockade is performed.

With the manifestation of the syndrome of an acute abdomen, a surgical intervention (usually a laparotomy) is necessarily prescribed, during which a biopsy of the lymph node is taken. At the end of the operation, the mesentery is treated with a solution of novocaine and antibacterial agents.

If mesenteritis takes a purulent form, the abscess is opened during the operation and the exudate is removed. After that, a course of antibiotic therapy and physiotherapy procedures (massage, gymnastics) are prescribed.

Disease prevention

Preventive measures include, first of all, the detection and effective treatment of chronic ailments, which, progressing, can provoke inflammation of the mesenteric lymph nodes. These include tonsillitis, bronchitis, urolithiasis, pyelonephritis, inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).

When the first symptoms appear, it is categorically contraindicated to take analgesics and antispasmodic drugs, since they can “lubricate” the symptomatic picture, which will greatly complicate the diagnosis.

Abdominal pain is a common occurrence in children of all ages. Parents need to be vigilant: at the first complaints of a child about discomfort in the tummy, you should consult a doctor, especially if the baby often suffers from viral infections, tonsillitis or has chronic diseases (pyelonephritis, cholecystitis, gastroduodenitis, tonsillitis, otitis media, etc.). After all, the baby’s immunity may at some point not be able to cope with the microbial load, and then serious diseases develop, one of which is mesadenitis.

What is mesadenitis

Mesadenitis is a disease that occurs when the lymph nodes of the mesentery of the intestine become inflamed. It is also called mesenteric lymphadenitis or mesenteric lymphadenitis.

Lymph nodes located in the mesentery become inflamed and cause mesadenitis disease

According to statistics, boys suffer from mesadenitis more often than girls. Recently, cases of diseases have become more frequent, which indicates a decrease in immunity among the child population.

Ironically, the intestines and mesentery contain more lymph nodes than anywhere else in the body. They act as a barrier and protection when the body encounters an infection. Under certain conditions, a violent reaction of the lymphatic system begins, which is manifested by an increase and inflammation of the lymph nodes.

Children with reduced immunity or congenital immunodeficiency (lack of immune cells) are at risk for the occurrence of mesadenitis.

Causes in children

Inflammation of the mesenteric lymph nodes can be both an independent disease and a concomitant symptom in another (main) disease.

  1. When mesadenitis is an independent disease, the causes of its occurrence are most often opportunistic infections, that is, those that inhabit the intestines of a healthy child, but do not cause disease. Under conditions of reduced immunity, conditionally pathogenic microorganisms become pathogenic, the barrier functions of the lymph nodes weaken, which leads to the development of the disease. The most common of the infections:
    • viral (adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, enterovirus, cytomegalovirus);
    • bacterial (yersinia, staphylococcus, E. coli, salmonella, rarely mycobacterium tuberculosis).
  2. As for secondary mesadenitis, that is, formed as a result of infection in the lymph nodes of the mesentery with blood or lymph flow, we can talk about mesadenitis against the background of appendicitis, enteritis, tonsillitis, pneumonia.

Kinds

In medicine, there are:

  1. Specific mesadenitis (tuberculous) - caused by Koch's bacillus (tuberculosis mycobacterium).
  2. Nonspecific - caused by opportunistic human microflora (yersinia, staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Epstein-Barr virus):
    • simple (without purulent focus);
    • purulent (with the formation of a purulent abscess).

According to the nature of the flow, mesadenitis is divided into:

  • spicy;
  • chronic.

Manifestations of mesadenitis

Symptoms of mesadenitis directly depend on the type and nature of the course of the disease.

With simple acute mesadenitis, there is:

  • severe constant or paroxysmal pain in the lower right corner of the abdomen or in the navel;
  • nausea and vomiting fountain;
  • an increase in body temperature up to 39 ° C;
  • weakness;
  • constipation or diarrhea.

It is possible to correlate the development of mesadenitis with a recent flu, pneumonia or tonsillitis.

Simple purulent mesadenitis is rare in childhood. When it occurs, intoxication phenomena (headache, palpitations, lethargy, weakness) are added to the above complaints.

Specific mesadenitis (tuberculous) is manifested by a sluggish course. In addition, it is characterized by:

  • subfebrile body temperature (not higher than 38 ° C);
  • an increase in peripheral lymph nodes;
  • weight loss;
  • weakness;
  • pallor of the skin;
  • periodic cramping or aching pain in the abdomen.

With pulmonary tuberculosis, it may be accompanied by a cough.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is made on the basis of:

  • questioning the patient (or his parents) for complaints, past illnesses, etc .;
  • examination of the child - the color of the skin is evaluated (with mesadenitis it is pale), the tongue (wet, coated with white coating), pulse rate (increased), breathing (rapid), body temperature (increased). When probing the abdomen, there is pain near the navel and in the right iliac region (in the lower right corner of the abdomen), but there are no symptoms of peritoneal tension. This distinguishes mesadenitis from appendicitis. Sometimes you can feel the enlarged lymph nodes of the mesentery, with pressure, vomiting may open.

Of the additional methods of examination use:


It is important to understand that an ultrasound examination reveals indirect signs of an increase in the lymph nodes of the mesentery. In children, a diameter of up to 5 mm is considered the norm. The diagnosis of mesadenitis on the basis of ultrasound data alone is not set.

Differential Diagnosis

Similarities

Differences

Lymphogranulomatosis

  • Enlarged lymph nodes (inguinal, axillary, cervical);
  • increase in body temperature.
  • With lymphogranulomatosis, profuse sweats are a characteristic feature;
  • lymph nodes with lymphogranulomatosis are painless, do not decrease even during treatment.

Helminthiasis

  • Abdominal pain;
  • weakness, lethargy.
  • An increase in temperature during helminthic invasions is cyclical, repeated at regular intervals;
  • in the blood test, antibodies to helminths are determined.

Appendicitis

  • Abdominal pain;
  • increase in body temperature;
  • nausea, sometimes vomiting.
  • Symptoms of peritoneal tension are positive;
  • body temperature, as a rule, subfebrile (not higher than 38 ° C);
  • pain is most often localized in the lower right corner of the abdomen.

Abdominal hemorrhagic appendicitis

  • Abdominal pain;
  • nausea, vomiting.
  • The pain is not localized in a certain place, spreads to the entire abdomen;
  • the pain is paroxysmal, periodically arises and disappears.

Possible Complications

  1. Suppuration of the lymph nodes. With a strong seeding of the infection, the lymph nodes can suppurate, which causes severe intoxication in the child.
  2. Peritonitis. Festering lymph nodes can break into the abdominal cavity.
  3. Abscess of the abdomen.

Treatment

Treatment of mesadenitis is complex and includes medication and physiotherapy, the use of folk remedies, diet and massage, gymnastics.

Medical therapy

  1. Antibacterial drugs are prescribed taking into account the infection that caused the disease. To do this, appropriate tests are carried out (crops from the foci of infection, blood cultures for sterility, sputum analysis for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, etc.). If these tests are not possible, broad-spectrum antibiotics (cephalosporins, macrolides) are prescribed.
  2. Detoxification therapy is a treatment aimed at reducing intoxication. First, intravenous adsorbents (rheosorbilact) are prescribed, later they are replaced by oral preparations (enterosgel, polyphepan, sorbex).
  3. Painkillers (analgin, ketanov). In pediatric practice, many anesthetics are not allowed, so the drugs are used once and only to relieve severe pain.
  4. Antispasmodics (no-shpa, papaverine). They are used to relax muscle spasm and relieve pain.
  5. Anti-tuberculosis therapy is prescribed for confirmed tuberculous mesadenitis.
  6. Physiotherapy (UHF) is indicated after the elimination of acute pain.

ethnoscience

  1. A decoction of blackberry roots. The berry has astringent, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and antipyretic properties. Pour 10 g of crushed roots with a glass of boiling water, boil for 10-15 minutes, leave for 2-3 hours. Take 1 tablespoon every 2 hours.
  2. An infusion of chamomile flowers has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and carminative effects. 1 teaspoon of flowers is poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for 3 hours in a thermos. Take a quarter cup 4 times a day.
  3. A tablespoon of cumin seeds should be poured with a glass of boiling water and boiled for half an hour. Take 2 tablespoons four times a day before meals.

Folk remedies for the treatment of diseases (gallery)

Chamomile flowers Cumin seeds Blackberry roots

Diet

It is impossible to get rid of the symptoms of mesadenitis without adjusting the diet. In the first days of the disease, a strict diet is prescribed, as in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (table No. 5). The child needs to eat small portions, but often, every 3-4 hours. Before going to bed, it is not recommended to eat, only drinking is allowed.

Curd Kashi
Wheat bread Vegetable salads

  1. Mesenteric lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici mesenteric. Their number reaches 100 - 150. Collect lymph from the wall of the small intestine. The efferent vessels end in the celiac lymph nodes.
  2. Yuktakishechnye lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici juxtaintestinales. Located near the wall of the small intestine.
  3. Upper [central] lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici superiores. Located around the trunk of the superior mesenteric artery. Rice. BUT.
  4. Ileocolic lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici ileocolici. They are located along the course of the artery of the same name. The efferent vessels end in the celiac lymph nodes. Rice. BUT.
  5. Pre-intestinal lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici precaecales. They lie along a. caecalis anterior. Rice. BUT.
  6. Blind-intestinal lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici retrocaecales. They lie along the posterior cecal artery. Rice. BUT.
  7. Appendicular lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici appendiculares. Localized along the artery of the appendix. Absent in 33 - 50%. Rice. BUT.
  8. Mesenteric-colon lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici mesocolici. Collect lymph from most of the colon and are located in the mesocolon. The efferent vessels terminate at the celiac nodes.
  9. Paracolonic lymph nodes, nodi fymphatici paracolic. Located along the colon along its entire length. Rice. BUT.
  10. Colon [right / middle / left] lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici colici. They are located along the right, middle and left colonic arteries. Rice. BUT.
  11. Inferior mesenteric lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici mesenterici inferiores. They lie along the course of the artery of the same name and collect lymph from the descending colon, sigmoid and part of the rectum. From these nodes, the lymph flows into nodi lymphatici preaorrici, located at the level of discharge a. mesenterica inferior. Rice. BUT.
  12. Sigmoid lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici sigmoidei. They lie along the artery of the same name. Collect lymph from the sigmoid and part of the descending colon. Rice. BUT.
  13. Upper rectal lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici rectales superiores. They are located along the axectalis superior and collect lymph from the wall of the rectum. Rice. BUT.
  14. Pelvis: parietal lymph nodes, pelvis: nodi lymphatici parietales. Located at the walls of the pelvis.
  15. Common iliac lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici iliaci communes. They lie no way valiaca interna. They end in the efferent vessels of the nodes that collect lymph from the organs and walls of the pelvis, the anterior wall of the abdomen (to the level of the navel), as well as the muscles of the medial group of the thigh and gluteal region. The efferent vessels of the common iliac lymph nodes end in the lumbar lymph nodes or in the lumbar trunk.
  16. Medial common iliac lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici iliaci communes mediates. Located on the medial side of the vascular bundle. Rice. B.
  17. Intermediate common iliac lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici iliaci communes intermedii. Located between the medial and lateral groups behind the vascular bundle. Rice. B.
  18. Lateral common iliac lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici iliaci communes laterales. They lie lateral to the vascular bundle. Rice. B.
  19. Subaortic common iliac lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici iliaci communes subaortic. They lie below the aortic bifurcation, in front of L 4. Fig. A, B.
  20. Common iliac lymph nodes of the cape, nodi lymphatici iliaci communes promontorii. Located in front of the cape. Rice. A, B.
  21. External iliac lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici iliaci externi. They lie along the external iliac vessels and collect lymph from part of the bladder, vagina, and also from the inguinal lymph nodes.
  22. Medial external iliac lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici iliaci externi mediates. They lie medial to the vascular bundle. Rice. B.
  23. Intermediate external iliac lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici iliaci externi intermedii. Located between the lateral and medial groups behind the vascular bundle. Rice. B.
  24. Lateral external iliac lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici iliaci externi laterales. Located lateral to the vascular bundle. Rice. B.
  25. [The medial node of the gap, nodus lacunaris medialis]. It lies in the vascular lacuna, medial to the vascular bundle. Rice. B.
  26. [Intermediate node of the gap, nodus lacunaris intermedius]. Located in the center of the vascular lacuna. Occurs inconsistently. Rice. B.
  27. [The lateral node of the gap, nodus lacunaris lateralis]. It is determined in the lateral part of the vascular lacuna. Rice. B.
  28. Interiliac external iliac lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici iliaci externi interiliaci. They lie at the point of division of the common iliac artery into external and internal. Rice. B.
  29. External iliac obturator lymph nodes, nodi lymphatici iliaci externi obturatorii. Located along the obturator artery. Rice. B.

Lymphadenopathy of the abdominal cavity - an increase in the size of the nodes of the lymphatic system as a result of the inflammatory process occurring in them. As a rule, lymphadenopathy is one of the manifestations of the symptom complex of pathologies of various etiologies, and not an independent disease. But chronic inflammation in the lymph nodes can lead to the development of an independent pathology, which causes severe complications.

Origin mechanism

Abdominal lymphadenopathy occurs as a result of materials entering with inflowing lymph that cause an inflammatory reaction in the tissues of the lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity. The causative agents can be:

  • pathogenic microorganisms and their toxins;
  • tissue breakdown products (plasmolemma lipids and melatonin pigment);
  • foreign materials (soot, smoke particles, silicone elastomers) and cellular debris.

The introduction of an infectious agent into the lymph nodes occurs during the course of acute, subacute, chronic local inflammatory processes (colitis, duodenal ulcer, etc.), less often it occurs with general infectious pathologies. Pathogens enter the lymph node by lymphogenous, hematogenous and contact routes. In case of injury to the lymph node, the introduction of an infectious agent from the outside is possible.

The inflammatory process is a protective reaction in response to an irritant. Interacting with lymphocytes and other cells of the immune system, the infectious agent causes the formation of specific substances and triggers a protective mechanism. Penetrating through the gate of infection into the lymph node, the infectious agent meets sinus histiocytes. If it is not absorbed by sedentary macrophages, then a typical picture of acute inflammation is observed.

Lymphadenopathy is accompanied by an increase in the size of the lymph nodes. However, the process of hyperplasia of the node tissues can also serve as a cause of hypertrophy. In the acute stage of lymphadenopathy in the lymph nodes localized in the intra-abdominal region, the following processes occur:

  • hyperemia of the tissues of the node;
  • expansion of its cavities;
  • desquamation of the epithelium lining it;
  • diffusion of serous discharge into the parenchyma and the formation of edema;
  • processes of proliferation of lymphoid tissue;
  • infiltration of the tissues of the node by lymphocytes.

Reasons for the appearance

Further progression of the pathology may be accompanied by purulent discharge. Depending on the time, strength and number of influencing factors, the process of lymphadenopathy quickly passes through all stages. As an infectious agent that causes lymphadenopathy of the abdominal lymph nodes, agents that cause:

  • tuberculosis:
  • toxicoplasmosis;
  • brucellosis;
  • helminthiasis;
  • giardiasis;
  • mycoses, etc.

In addition, the pathological condition can be triggered by connective tissue diseases and serum pathology of a medicinal nature.

Lymphadenopathy in children often accompanies measles, rubella, parotitis, etc. Hyperplasia of the intra-abdominal lymph nodes can be caused by a malignant process or mesadenitis - inflammation of the lymph nodes in the mesentery of the small intestine. The child experiences symptoms similar to acute appendicitis.

In the abdominal cavity, the lymph nodes are located along the aorta and the inferior vena cava (parietal) and near the hollow and parenchymal organs (visceral). The symptoms of the pathology correspond to the inflammatory process, and the severity corresponds to the severity of its course.

Classification of the pathological condition

Depending on the number of lymph nodes involved in the process, and their location, it is customary to classify lymphadenopathy into:

  • local;
  • regional;
  • generalized.

Generalized lymphadenopathy is the most severe, since pathological changes do not affect a single node, as in a local form, but several at once. Moreover, these groups can be located in non-contiguous areas of the human body. Reactive lymphadenopathy is diagnosed with a massive introduction of an infectious agent. In this case, the symptoms are not expressed, and enlarged lymph nodes are painless.

According to the statute of limitations, the pathology is divided into acute, chronic and recurrent. In addition, each of the forms listed above can take the form of a tumor or non-tumor pathology. For the convenience of assessing the pathological process, some authors distinguish the following degrees of enlargement of the lymph nodes in diameter:

  • I degree - 50-150 mm;
  • II degree - 150-250 mm;
  • III degree - 250 mm or more.

Parents often do not consider an increase in the lymph nodes in a child an alarming signal, attributing the pathology to the symptoms of viral, colds and infectious diseases. Therefore, doctors advise to conduct an examination in children who often suffer from respiratory diseases, who have a history of inflammation in the oropharynx, bronchitis and croup.

Symptoms and signs of pathology

The most important diagnostic sign of lymphadenopathy is the enlargement of the nodes of the lymphatic system. As additional symptoms of the localization of pathology in the abdominal cavity, there may be:

  • prolonged increase in body temperature;
  • night sweats;
  • structural changes noted on x-ray or ultrasound;
  • weight loss;
  • pathological enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly) and spleen (splenomegaly);
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • dyspeptic disorders;
  • general weakness.

These symptoms are not characteristic of this pathology and may indicate other pathologies. In addition, additional symptoms differ depending on the type of infectious agent that caused the lymphadenopathy. So, for example, infectious mononucleosis causes not only the symptoms listed above, but is also accompanied by such signs as maculopapular rashes, which disappear on their own after 2-3 days. With the introduction of the infectious agent HIV in the initial stage, a rash and acute respiratory infections-like symptoms are noted.

When the body is infected with the causative agent of hepatitis B, in addition to the characteristic signs, febrile phenomena, dyspeptic syndrome, and jaundice are noted. Some pathogens cause symptoms of arthritis, conjunctivitis, arthralgia, urticaria, etc. With such a variety of symptoms, the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy is difficult, especially if the main symptom is not visualized, such as when the pathological process is localized in the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space. If this pathology is suspected, differential studies are carried out, excluding diseases with similar symptoms.

Methods for diagnosing pathology

To identify the cause of lymphadenopathy, an anamnesis and epidemiological data are collected. The patient is asked questions about a possible blood transfusion, a transplant operation, casual sex, intravenous drug use, contact with animals (cats) and birds, the specifics of professional activity (fishermen, hunters, farm and slaughterhouse workers, etc.), migration to foreign countries, etc.

Great importance is given to the age of the patient, since some forms of pathology are more common in children. The clinical examination includes a thorough palpation of the lymph nodes and their identification:

  • localization;
  • quantity and size;
  • connections with each other;
  • soreness;
  • consistency.

The next step in the diagnosis is the delivery of laboratory tests:

  • biochemical and clinical blood tests;
  • general urine analysis;
  • tests for HIV infection and RW;
  • serological blood test.

In addition, cytological and histological studies are prescribed:

  • bone marrow biopsy;
  • excisional biopsy of lymph nodes.

Hardware diagnostics include:

  • radiography;
  • MRI and CT;
  • osteoscintigraphy (if necessary).

After confirming the diagnosis and identifying the causes of the pathological process, an individual treatment regimen is developed.

Therapy of a pathological condition

Often, therapy for the pathology that caused inflammation of the lymph nodes leads to their reduction. In the treatment of lymphadenopathy of various etiologies, drug treatment is prescribed using:

  • antibiotics;
  • anti-inflammatory drugs of the NSAID group;
  • antiviral agents;
  • immunomodulators.

In the treatment of lymphadenopathy in children, good performance was observed when prescribing antibacterial drugs from the macrolide group: Roxithromycin, Josamycin, Midecamycin. When a herpes infection is detected, drugs Acyclovir, Arbidol, etc. are prescribed.

To raise immunity after a course of antibiotics, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, immunomodulators are prescribed: Cycloferon, Viferon, Likopid, etc.

If drug therapy is ineffective or the cause of the pathology is a malignant process, then surgical removal of the affected lymph nodes is indicated, followed by courses of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Which method to choose, only the attending physician decides, based on the anamnesis data, the obtained diagnostic results and the individual characteristics of the patient. Timely detection of pathology at an early stage allows you to do without radical methods of therapy.

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