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De-Misty-fying the mesentery: an algorithmic approach to neoplastic and non-neoplastic mesenteric abnormalities

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Abstract

Mesenteric abnormalities are often incidentally discovered on cross-sectional imaging performed during daily clinical practice. Findings can range from the vague “misty mesentery” to solid masses, and the possible etiologic causes encompass a wide spectrum of underlying pathologies including infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic processes. Unfortunately, the clinical and imaging findings are often non-specific and may overlap. This article discusses the various diseases that result in mesenteric abnormalities. It provides a framework to non-invasively differentiate these entities, when possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, The George Washington University Hospital, 900 23rd St, NW, Washington, DC, 20037, USA

    Myles T. Taffel, Nadia J. Khati & Nabila Hai

  2. Department of Radiology, Northwestern University/Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair, Suite 800, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Vahid Yaghmai & Paul Nikolaidis

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  1. Myles T. Taffel
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  2. Nadia J. Khati
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  3. Nabila Hai
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Correspondence to Myles T. Taffel.

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Taffel, M.T., Khati, N.J., Hai, N. et al. De-Misty-fying the mesentery: an algorithmic approach to neoplastic and non-neoplastic mesenteric abnormalities. Abdom Imaging 39, 892–907 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-014-0113-1

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