Mesenteric Disease

Mesenteric lymph nodes of aged mice may become enlarged and filled with blood. This lesion occurs spo­radically in various mouse strains, appearing more fre­quently in C3H mice. Its etiology is unknown. Mesenteric lymph nodes are grossly enlarged and appear bright red. Microscopically, lymphoid tissue is often atrophic, and medullary sinuses are filled with blood. Differential diagnoses must include various causes of mesenteric lymphadenomegaly, including Salmonella. This is an incidental finding and of no clinical significance.