Aneurysmal dilation of bowel mimicking an abscess in pediatric primary gastrointestinal lymphoma

Primary gastrointestinal lymphoma, though rare, is the most common gastrointestinal malignancy in children. Signs and symptoms are nonspecific, and include abdominal pain, nausea, emesis, and a palpable abdominal mass. Imaging is therefore typically required to differentiate gastrointestinal lymphoma from other abdominal conditions. We present a pediatric case of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma involving the distal bowel that was initially misdiagnosed as an intra-abdominal abscess. This case highlights the imaging findings of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma, potential pitfalls in imaging diagnosis, and the role of accurate imaging diagnosis in expediting patient management to reduce associated morbidity and mortality.