[Radiologic evaluation and prognosis of lymphoid nodular hyperplasia of the mesenteric intestine]. / Valutazione radiologica e prognosi nell'iperplasia nodulare linfoide dell'intestino mesenteriale.

Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH) is a reaction of the intestinal lymphatic tissue to specific inflammatory stimuli. Radiologically, it presents with multiple nodular filling defects of various sizes (2-4 mm) and with segmental, focal or diffuse distribution. The condition may be benign but, under particular circumstances (chronic stimuli), it may evolve to neoplastic forms. Seven hundred and sixty-eight patients underwent small bowel X-rays from January 1990 to April 1992. Twenty-two patients with NLH with or without associated mucosal or wall lesions were selected. The radiologic and histologic features of the lesions, together with the clinical data, were helpful to make the diagnosis. In 8 patients the hyperplastic nodules were benign, while 10 patients were affected with Crohn's disease and 4 with Herman's syndrome or common variable immunodeficiency. This work was aimed at defining NLH from a diagnostic point of view relative to both morphology and extent of lesions and at stressing the role of radiology of the small bowel in the follow-up of the cases at risk of evolving to cancer.