Description

The Mesenteric Lymph Node Cavitation Syndrome may occur in patients with celiac or celiac-like disorders. It is associated with a number of complications that may convey a poor prognosis.


 

Features of mesenteric lymph node cavitation syndrome:

(1) presence of either celiac disease or sprue-like disorder unresponsive to gluten-free diet

(2) central necrosis of mesenteric lymph nodes (seen on biopsy or imaging studies)

(3) variable hyposplenism and/or splenic atrophy

(4) exclusion of other diagnoses (Yersinia, Whipple's disease, mycobacteria, SLE or vasculitis)

 

Complications:

(1) sepsis

(2) T-cell lymphoma (enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma) or other malignancy

(3) mediastinal lymph node cavitation

 

where:

• T-cell lymphoma may be associated with a vasculopathy which can affect the central nervous system. Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma may present as a sprue-like disorder unresponsive to gluten-free diet. One interpretation is that the T-cell lymphoma is a complication of the enteropathy. Another is that an enteropathy may be a manifestation that precedes full expression of the lymphoma.

 


To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.