Abdonimal Lymph Node Infection

Mesenteric lymphadenitis is an abdominal lymph node infection that causes swelling of the lymph nodes and may mimic the signs of appendicitis. This disease can also develop with no symptoms and it usually clears up in a few weeks.

Symptoms

• According to the MayoClinic.com, mesenteric lymphadenitis patients can experience pain on the lower right side of the abdomen, fever and malaise. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur with this disease.

Causes

• Mesenteric lymphadenitis is often caused by viral or bacterial infections that swell the lymph nodes.

Testing

• Doctors use blood tests to identify mesenteric lymphadenitis and imaging studies such as computerized tomography scans or ultrasound tests to differentiate between this disease and appendicitis.

Complications

• Mesenteric lymphadenitis that is caused by a bacterial infection may spread to the bloodstream and cause a serious life threatening sepsis infection.

Treatments

• Bacterial mesenteric lymphadenitis may be treated with antibiotics. Viral cases of this disease usually go away without treatment.