Is there an association between mesenteric panniculitis and lymphoma? A case control analysis

Aim To determine the prevalence and association of mesenteric panniculitis (MP) in a group of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) compared to control group. Materials and methods We retrospectively evaluated computed tomography (CT) and combined positron-emission tomography (PET) with CT examinations of a total of 166 patients who were diagnosed with NHL over a period of 5 years (2008–2013). The control group consisted of 332 subjects who were matched for gender and age at the time period the examinations were performed on the study group. A combination of radiological signs and absence of 2-[¹⁸F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-uptake was used to establish the diagnosis of MP and distinguish it from the involvement of mesentery by lymphoma. Results MP was identified in three patients (prevalence 1.8%) from the study group as compared to seven subjects out of 332 (2.1%) in the control group (p=0.556). During the course of follow-up no changes in the imaging features of MP were seen in either group. Additionally, 27 (16.2%) patients from the study group were found to have changes in the mesentery, which were attributed to the involvement of the mesentery in the primary disease. Conclusion The prevalence of MP among patients with NHL was found to be 1.8%, which corresponds to the range of its prevalence in the general population. This is contrary to the proposition that MP is associated with NHL.