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Mesenteric lymph nodes: detection and significance on MDCT.
Brian C Lucey1, Joshua W Stuhlfaut, Jorge A Soto
1Department of Radiology, Division of Body Imaging, Boston Medical Center, 88 E Newton St., Atrium 2, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|December 24, 2004
Summary
Incidental mesenteric lymph nodes are common on CT scans. These small nodes, typically under 5 mm, are usually clinically insignificant in healthy individuals and require no further follow-up imaging.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Abdominal Imaging
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Incidental mesenteric lymph nodes are frequently detected on abdominal CT scans.
- Current management guidelines for these incidental findings are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of mesenteric lymph nodes in a healthy population.
- To establish management guidelines for incidental mesenteric lymph nodes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 132 abdominal CT scans from patients with blunt abdominal trauma.
- Exclusion of 12 patients with known lymphadenopathy causes.
- Evaluation of CT scans by two radiologists for mesenteric lymph nodes >3 mm, documenting size, number, and location.
Main Results:
- Mesenteric lymph nodes >3 mm were found in 47 of 120 (39%) patients with normal CT scans.
- The mean size of the largest nodes was 4.8 mm.
- Nodes were most commonly identified at the mesenteric root (68%).
Conclusions:
- Incidental mesenteric lymph nodes are a common finding on CT scans, especially with thin-collimation MDCT.
- These nodes are typically small (<5 mm) and clinically insignificant in an otherwise healthy population.
- No further imaging is generally required for these incidental findings.