Ultrasonic Detection of Mesenteric Lymph Nodes in Children with Intermittent Abdominal Pain / 华中科技大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective To examine the clinical application of ultrasonography to detection of mesenteric lymph nodes in chil‐dren with intermittent abdominal pain.Methods A total of 196 children who underwent abdominal ultrasonography for differ‐ent reasons were divided into the intermittent abdominal pain group and non‐abdominal pain group.The location ,size and num‐ber of mesenteric lymph nodes were recorded.Results Statistical difference in the long‐axis diameter(P=0.005)and ratio of short‐to‐long‐axis diameter was found among patients with different ages in non‐abdominal pain group(P= 0.015) ,while no significant difference was seen in short‐axis diameter(P=0.773).No significant difference was observed in the diameter of each axis between different genders in non‐abdominal pain group.There was a statistical difference between abdominal pain group and non‐abdominal pain group in the incidence of lymph nodes with short‐axis diameter of 6 mm and larger(P=0.002)and long‐axis diameter of 14 mm and larger(P=0.007).Conclusion Mesenteric lymph node with short‐axis diameter larger than 6 mm should be considered enlarged in children ,but should not be diagnosed with mesenteric lymphadenitis.It’s common to find en‐larged mesenteric lymph nodes in children without abdominal pain.Further investigations with a larger number of patients are required to confirm these findings .