关键词: 淋巴管扩张, 肠, 儿童, 磁共振成像

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the CT and MRI manifestations of intestinal lymphangiectasis（IL） in children，improving the diagnostic accuracy of this disease by these two imaging techniques.Methods　In this retrospective study，we enrolled 3 participants who received treatment in the Children's Hospital，Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2016 to June 2017.They were diagnosed with IL based on the results of gastroscopy，pathological examination and imaging examination.No.1 case underwent unenhanced CT scan and contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen，No.2 case underwent unenhanced CT scan and contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen as well as unenhanced MRI scan of the abdomen，and No.3 case underwent unenhanced MRI scan and contrast-enhanced MRI scan of the abdomen.We analyzed their clinical and imagining data and reviewed the related literature.Results　No.1 case：part of the upper jejunal wall was diffusely thickened and obviously enhanced after enhancement.The superior mesenteric artery and its branches were covered with flaky and striped water-like low-density shadows，which were not enhanced after enhancement.No.2 case：unenhanced CT scan and contrast-enhanced CT scan showed that the volume of the liver increased significantly，and the hepatic veins dilated；part of the small intestinal wall was diffusely thickened and obviously enhanced after enhancement.The superior mesenteric artery and its branches were covered with flaky and striped water-like low-density shadows without enhancement.Abdominal unenhanced MRI scan showed that the duodenum and part of the jejunal wall were thickened，MIP reconstructed images of heavy T2WI showed that the lymphatics in retroperitoneal and mesenteric regions expanded extensively with reticular changes，and the proximal thoracic duct was twisted and dilated.No.3 case：the retroperitoneal region and the area around the superior mesenteric artery and its branches appeared as lump-shaped shadows of long T1 and T2 with clear boundary，the superior mesenteric artery was completely covered without significant pressed and flattened appearance.Moreover，the MIP reconstructed images of the heavy T2WI showed that the lymphatics in the bilateral waist areas and mesenteric region expanded extensively with reticular changes.Conclusion　The extensive reticular lymphatic expansion in the retroperitoneal and mesenteric regions on the MIP reconstructed image of the heavy T2WI is the characteristic of IL.CT scan or contrast-enhanced MRI scan of the abdomen can be used for non-invasive diagnosis of IL，since either of them can clearly show superior mesenteric artery and its branches covered by flaky and striped water-like low-density shadows without enhancement and partly thickened small intestinal wall.

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