A palpable right lower abdominal mass due to Yersinia mesenteric lymphadenitis

Infection by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis has become of increasing pathological importance. This report describes the case of a 12-year-old female with mesenteric lymphadenitis due to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. The patient presented with fever, abdominal pain, and a palpable right abdominal mass. Abdominal ultrasonic imaging and computerized axial tomography (CT) revealed a mass. An exploratory laparotomy was performed, followed by appendectomy and mesenteric lymph node biopsy. The diagnosis of Yersinia infection was confirmed by serology and bacterial culture of the biopsy material. This condition should be considered in patients with a right lower abdominal mass and symptoms similar to those of appendicitis.