Enlarged mesenteric nodes

[myaitalia]

What is the most common cause of abdominal mesenteric lymph nodes?

[myaitalia]

I have seen many specialists since infact the nodes came up with (max) fdg uptake on a PET no change in size still. I did see a gastroenterologist too they did a succession of tests and every positive test seems to confuse them more. They seem to blow each positive off without any consern for why. Pancreatic lactace came out severely low @48 (>200 is normal) fecal lactoferin came out positive. Their first response to the positive PET scan was that a 12 year history of cervical cancer had returned then after talking to my Gyno uncologist they amended the result saying it has been too long. They can't biopsy due to potential risk. As of 7-15 all nodes are same size. And I also have come up with swelling 1inch below sternum to the right that extends under rib cage. I can see the swelling. The only thing that came up on a recent ultrasound was an enlarged common bile duct (which I believe it is) and again they wrote it off to post colectomy (sorry;I meant post gallbladder removal) I think that may be the problem and I wonder if it could be related to the pancreatic insufficiency. On a daily basis I deal with severe nausea, abdominal pain, waves of severe nausea and diarrhea that comes with profuse sweating dizziness, sensitivity to light and extreme fatigue. We excluded viruses, bacteria, parasites n all else except positive for (undifferentiated connective tissue disease or SLE (not sure yet ( after 4 years)) but no matter they dont believe its related either. So all excluded that you mentioned aside cancer, connective tissue disease, they found 1 small pouch they also blew off as diverticulosis. I'm a mess, don't know what to do, and don't know what the cause of even the pancreatic insufficiency is. What is crazy is each doctor is determined with first apt. That its important to find the cause then the next apt. They say they cleared their department I should see someone else (a new specialist) then it all starts over. Next step supposedly is a Hemotologist /oncologist. But after 3 wks and 5 calls to the dr. I have still not gotten my referral. This is at Hopkins too. I have only seen a GYNECOLOGICAL Ooncologist, not a normal one. Oh also wbc's high, last test platelettes were 78. N no one knows why anything. I look at the symptoms of IBS and IBD and i have very similar symptoms, even pancreatitis but blood test don't show obvious pancreatitis, and the doctors said i was cleared of IBD and IBS also said the positive lactoferrin is NOT indicative of IBD even with those symptoms. Meanwhile I am sleeping my life away having no problem sleeping 18 hrs a day. Sometimes the pain in my belly is as though i have open sores all over the outside of my intestines that is how bad it gets. my life has gone down hill and at times i cant even care normally for myself i am so miserable. And yes, I did start the pancreatic enzymes (creon 24,000 U) I'm curious if all this could be systemic too. I don't know!!!!!  thanks and for any input. I'm lost!

[Arti Sharma, M.D.]

Hi there,
There are several causes of enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes.Viruses, bacteria and parasites all can cause enlarged lymph nodes. Inflammatory bowel diseases, connective tissue diseases, tuberculosis, terminal ileitis, diverticulitis all can cause enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Only isolated mesenteric lymph node enlargement is due to adenocarcinoma of the gut. Only size may not help in determining the cause. A clinical correlation with your symptoms and disease progression is very important. See a gastroenterologist. Keep me posted.
Best wishes and regards!