Abdominal lymphadenopathy in benign diseases: CT detection.

A review of 2,100 consecutive computed tomographic (CT) examinations yielded 160 cases of abdominal lymphadenopathy, of which nine (6%) were secondary to benign diseases. Contrary to previous reports, size, location, contour, density, relationship to the aorta, and presence of mass effect were not helpful in distinguishing benign from malignant lymphadenopathy. In some cases, ancillary CT findings, conventional radiographs, and clinical setting may suggest a specific benign entity. Benign processes should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal lymphadenopathy in the appropriate clinical setting, particularly if the patient does not have a known carcinoma.