Prevalence and clinical significance of sonographic detection of enlarged regional lymph nodes in Crohn's disease

Author： MacOni Giovanni Di Sabatino Antonio Ardizzone Sandro Greco Salvatore Colombo Elisabetta Russo Antonio Cassinotti Andrea Casini Valentina Corazza Gino Roberto Porro Gabriele Bianchi

Publisher： Informa Healthcare

ISSN： 0036-5521

Source： Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, Vol.40, Iss.11, 2005-11, pp. : 1328-1333

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Abstract

Objective . Reactive regional lymph node enlargement is a frequent ultrasonographic finding in patients with Crohn's disease. However, the prevalence of this condition and its clinical significance are unknown. This study assesses the prevalence of enlarged regional mesenteric lymph nodes and its clinical significance in Crohn's disease, and in particular whether there is a correlation between the sonographic detection of enlarged regional lymph nodes and the degree of clinical or biochemical activity of the disease. Material and methods . A total of 240 in- and outpatients with Crohn's disease underwent intestinal ultrasound to assess the presence of enlarged regional lymph nodes as well as the thickness and echopattern of the bowel wall, the site and extent of Crohn's disease and the presence of stenosis, fistulas and abscesses. Demographic, clinical and biochemical parameters were also collected for each patient. A multivariate model by means of multiple regression analysis was used to identify independent variables linked to regional lymph node enlargement. Results . Enlarged regional lymph nodes were detected ultrasonographically in 25.4% of Crohn's disease patients. The presence of regional lymph nodes showed a weak correlation with both clinical and biochemical Crohn's disease activity. Regional lymph nodes were found more frequently in young patients (50% of patients 50 yrs; p