[Mesenteric localization of Castleman's disease]

Castleman's disease (or angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia) is a rare pathologic process of unknown etiology. Commonly, it is an unique tumor localized in the mediastinum (unicentric disease). Extrathoracic localizations are however reported with an increasing frequency. We describe two cases of mesenteric Castleman's disease. Diagnosis can be suggested by preoperative morphologic explorations (ultrasonography with Doppler, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography) and confrontation with clinical and biological data (young age, biological signs of inflammation). In the classical unique tumor of hyalin-vascular type, surgical removal allows definitive cure. Prognosis is poor in the plasma cell type, mostly in multicentric disease due to a high incidence of malignancy.