A lymph node is a small bean-shaped structure that is part of the body's immune system. Lymph nodes filter substances that travel through the lymphatic fluid, and they contain lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help the body fight infection and disease. Enlarged lymph nodes could be due to a current infection, a recent or past infection, inflammation, or another condition.
Lipomas are the most common type of benign (non-cancerous) fat-containing masses and demonstrate a characteristic appearance on MRI. The cause is not fully understood, but there is a genetic factor as they typically run in families. Usually these tumors do not cause symptoms, but can become painful if large and pressing on nearby nerves.
The diaphragm is a thin, dome-shaped muscular structure that is the primary muscle for respiration (breathing), particularly inspiration (breathing in). Sometimes part of the diaphragm can be thinner and not as muscular - this is called eventration and the cause can be congenital (from birth) or acquired (e.g. weakness from muscular disease or injury to the phrenic nerve [the nerve that provides exclusive motor control of the diaphragm and is essential for breathing]). Most people with diaphragmatic eventration are asymptomatic (do not have symptoms).
The infrarenal abdominal aorta is the segment of the abdominal aorta (the main blood vessel that exits the heart, bringing oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body) below the kidneys. An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge that occurs in the wall of the major blood vessel (aorta) or the smaller blood vessels (branch arteries) that carry blood from the heart to the body. Risk factors for an aortic aneurysm include genetics, male gender, smoking, high blood pressure and poor cholesterol. This aneurysm is usually asymptomatic (does not cause symptoms), but can cause chest, abdominal or back pain - and in extreme cases it can burst - causing internal bleeding.
Mesenteric panniculitis, also called sclerosing mesenteritis, occurs when the tissue (mesentery) that holds the small intestines in place becomes inflamed and forms scar tissue. Mesenteric panniculitis is rare, and it's not clear what causes it.Mesenteric panniculitis can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea and fever, however, some people experience no signs and symptoms and may never need treatment. In rare cases, scar tissue formed by mesenteric panniculitis can block food from moving through the digestive tract. In this case, surgery may be indicated.
The mesentery is the tissue that secures the small intestines to the body. Based on your MRI images, there could be mesenteritis (inflammation of the mesentery). It is not known what causes this. Symptoms of mesenteritis include abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, fever or weight loss.
