title: More than just metastases: a practical approach to solid mesenteric masses.
abstract: The abdominal mesenteries are important peritoneal structures that give rise to a wide spectrum of abnormalities, including solid mesenteric masses. Despite similarities in appearance, solid masses in the mesentery may have diverse etiologies, ranging from benign to highly malignant. While metastases are the most common cause of solid masses in the mesentery, other less common conditions are also important diagnostic considerations. This article reviews four pathologic entities (sclerosing mesenteritis, carcinoid tumors, desmoids tumors, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors) that may be manifested on abdominal imaging examinations by one or more mesenteric masses. These four pathologic entities are used to present a systematic approach to the radiographic characterization of solid mesenteric masses based on the morphology of the lesions, locoregional effects, and distant findings on various abdominal imaging examinations.
authors: Department of Radiology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, 525 East 68th St., New York, NY, 10065, USA.
authors: Abbey J
authors: AJ
authors: Winant
authors: Amar
authors: A
authors: Vora
authors: Paula S
authors: PS
authors: Ginter
authors: Marc S
authors: MS
authors: Levine
authors: Douglas A
authors: DA
authors: Brylka
mesh_terms: D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D018222:Desmoid Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis*; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008643:Mesentery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015436:Panniculitis, Peritoneal / Q000175:diagnosis; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods