Mesenteric Lymphadenitis Causes and Diagnosis

Infectious Causes

Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common antecedent events associated with mesenteric lymphadenitis, reported in 22-53% of cases, according to the American College of Neurology 1
Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus, Coxsackievirus, and Rubella are common viral pathogens that can cause mesenteric lymphadenitis, as reported by the American College of Rheumatology 1, 2, 3
Campylobacter jejuni can trigger mesenteric lymphadenitis, particularly in Asia, as stated by the American College of Neurology 1
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can cause mesenteric lymphadenitis, though they more commonly affect cervical lymph nodes, according to the American Thoracic Society 4

Inflammatory bowel disease, particularly ulcerative colitis, can present with mesenteric lymphadenitis, as reported by the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation 6
Adult-onset Still's disease can present with abdominal pain and mesenteric lymphadenopathy, according to the American College of Rheumatology 3
Lymphoma and leukemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis, particularly in adults, as stated by the American Thoracic Society 4

CT scan may be helpful in cases where ultrasonography is inconclusive, as reported by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery, and recommended by the American College of Emergency Physicians 2

In immunocompromised patients, cytomegalovirus colitis can present with mesenteric lymphadenitis and carries a high mortality rate if misdiagnosed, as reported by the World Journal of Emergency Surgery, and warned by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2
In adults with persistent mesenteric lymphadenopathy, malignancy should be more strongly considered, as stated by the American Thoracic Society 4
Patients with HIV may develop mesenteric lymphadenitis as part of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and guided by the American College of Physicians 5