Medical expert of the article
New publications
Mesadenitis
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Mesadenitis is an inflammation of the lymph nodes of the mesentery and intestines.
A distinction is made between non-specific (simple) and specific (tuberculous or pseudo-tuberculous) mesadenitis, which can be acute or recurrent.
How does mesadenitis manifest itself?
It is accompanied by enlargement of the lymph nodes, swelling of the mesentery, and dilation of the lymphatic vessels of the mesentery and small intestine.
Acute mesadenitis or its exacerbation begins suddenly with the appearance of cramping or constant pain in the epigastrium, in the navel area or to the right of it (Vilensky syndrome). They last from several hours to 2-3 days, usually without progression, if there is no suppuration of the lymph nodes. Nausea, vomiting, hiccups, diarrhea may be noted. The anamnesis often includes a recent or ongoing sore throat, or respiratory diseases, and lung pathology may be present.
The general condition is disturbed only when the lymph nodes become suppurated and peritonitis develops.
The same applies to laboratory parameters. When palpating the abdomen, moderate pain is noted in the umbilical region, epigastrium, right iliac and inguinal region.
Abdominal tension is moderate, mainly with deep palpation, Shchetkin-Blumberg symptom is not determined. The following symptoms are characteristic: McBurney (painful points on the left and right below the navel); McFaden (pain along the edge of the rectus abdominis muscle 2-4 cm below the navel); Klein (movement of the painful point when the patient turns from the back to the left side); Sternberg: pain on palpation 1-2 cm above the navel; pain on palpation along the line connecting the right iliac region and the left hypochondrium. When examining the pharynx, hyperemia is often noted, a picture of angina or tonsillitis.
In tuberculous mesadenitis, dense and lumpy lymph node packets are palpated through the abdominal wall. Auscultation of the abdomen reveals the noise of friction of the peritoneum sheets against tuberculous tubercles (the "rasp" symptom). Calcified lymph nodes are detected on abdominal X-rays.
Mesadenitis is differentiated from acute appendicitis (no progression), gastritis, and infectious diseases (the presence of symptoms specific to them).
Tuberculous mesadenitis is differentiated from lymphogranulomatosis, Henoch-Schonlein disease (laboratory blood test, abdominal X-ray, laparoscopy).