Patients with UC were divided into the following two groups: patients with active disease and patients in remission. The disease activity was assessed by the Truelove Witts criteria and, if available, the Rachmilewitz endoscopic activity index. Data regarding clinical features, including disease duration and extension, treatments, laboratory characteristics, and disease activity during the time that abdominal CT was performed were obtained from hospital records. A total of 518 consecutive patients with UC were screened, and patients who had had abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) scanning during follow-up were recruited to the study. Patients were diagnosed according to clinical, radiological, and endoscopic examinations, as well as histological findings. This retrospective study was performed in patients with UC at our center between January 2010 and May 2016. We aimed to investigate the presence of mesenteric lymph nodes in UC, explore lymph node characteristics according to disease activity, and compare the features of mesenteric lymph nodes that are observed in other acute intraabdominal inflammatory conditions. There is a paucity of data regarding intraabdominal lymph nodes in UC. In UC, abdominal imaging has been used to assess the bowel wall for the extent of disease and determining activity. Radiologic imaging has been used to define the extent and activity of IBD, in order to distinguish IBD from other diseases with the same clinical presentation, and to determine complications and extra-intestinal manifestations. Moreover, Crohn’s disease is a well-known cause of mesenteric lymphadenopathy. In addition to local disorders, hematological malignancies, metastasis of solid malignancies, several infections, and systemic inflammatory disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Local inflammatory processes, including appendicitis, diverticulitis, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis cause mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Although lymphatic dysfunction presents in both forms of IBD, prominent effects of the disease on the lymphatic system are established mainly in CD. ![]() Lymphatic obstruction, increased lymphatic flow, and neovascularization lead to lymphatic vessel dilatation and submucosal edema. Impaired lymphatic drainage due to lymphatic obstruction and contractile dysfunction results in lymphangiogenesis in IBD. Inflammatory reactions lead to increases in lymphatic flow. The lymphatic system is affected in gut inflammation. The main functions of the lymphatic system are fluid balance, fat absorption, and host defenses. The disease activity guides the management and treatment of UC. In the majority of patients with UC, the disease progresses with intermittent flare episodes and relapse-free remission periods. UC has a characteristic diffuse distribution extending from the rectum to the proximal parts of the large bowel. Ulcerative colitis is primarily an inflammatory condition of the colonic mucosa, although deeper layers could also be involved in severe cases. ![]() The two forms have distinct pathogenic mechanisms and clinical characteristics. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic idiopathic inflammatory disorders of the intestine or colon, characterized by chronic inflammation due to unbalanced activation of the mucosal immune system in response to luminal antigens in genetically predisposed individuals, and are mainly classified into two major forms: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The current study suggested that inflammation results in the development of mesenteric LN in UC, similar to Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory disorders. No correlation was found among patients with UC in terms of LN dimension, attenuation, ESR, CRP, leucocyte, and albumin (all with p > 0.05). The attenuation and dimension of mesenteric LNs did not differ between active and inactive patients with UC. Mesenteric LNs were evident in all patients with UC. Clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters, including CBC, biochemical analysis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C reactive protein (CRP) were also compared. The LN characteristics in computed tomography (CT), including LN dimension and attenuation, were evaluated retrospectively in 100 patients with UC (61 active and 39 inactive cases). The aim of this study is to determine the presence and characteristics of LNs in UC. Data evaluating the presence and characteristics of mesenteric lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are scarce.
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