Hirschsprung's Disease Causing Constipation in an Infant

Rare presentation and retrograde diagnosis of total colonic aganglionosis in a female infant: a case report

BACKGROUND

Total colonic aganglionosis is an extremely rare variant of Hirschsprung's disease, which is predominant in males and can be seen in 1:50,000 live births. The presented case not only depicts a rare case, but also unusual clinical, laboratory, and instrumental data.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 2-day-old Caucasian female newborn was transferred to our hospital from maternity. The initial presentation was reverse peristalsis, abdominal distention, and inability to pass stool. Fever had started before the patient was transferred. Hirschsprung's disease was suspected, and tests such as contrast enema and rectal suction biopsy were done. Before enterostomy, the management of the disease included fluid resuscitation, colonic irrigation, antibiotic administration, enteral feeding, and supportive therapy. During ileostomy operation, no transition zone was visualized and full-thickness biopsy samples were retrieved from the rectum and descending colon. After surgical intervention, status significantly improved-defervescence and weight gain most importantly improved.

CONCLUSION

It is well known that diagnosis of total colonic aganglionosis may be delayed for months or even years since the transition zone may not be visible and rectal suction biopsy, unlike full-thickness biopsy, is not always reliable. It might be more prudent not to be derailed because of negative radiography and rectal suction biopsy. Also, doctors should be more suspicious of the disease if signs and symptoms are starting to be consistent with Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis, despite biopsy and radiology results.

Pan-enteric neuropathy and dysmotility are present in a mouse model of short-segment Hirschsprung disease and may contribute to post-pullthrough morbidity

PURPOSE

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is characterized by distal intestinal aganglionosis. While surgery is lifesaving, gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders persist in many patients. Our objective was to determine whether enteric nervous system (ENS) abnormalities exist in the ganglionated portions of the GI tract far proximal to the aganglionic region and whether these are associated with GI dysmotility.

METHODS

Using Ednrb-null mice, a model of HSCR, immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate quantitatively ENS structure in proximal colon, small intestine, and stomach. Gastric emptying and intestinal transit were measured in vivo and small and large bowel contractility was assessed by spatiotemporal mapping ex vivo.

RESULTS

Proximal colon of HSCR mice had smaller ganglia and decreased neuronal fiber density, along with a marked reduction in migrating motor complexes. The distal small intestine exhibited significantly fewer ganglia and decreased neuronal fiber density, and this was associated with delayed small intestinal transit time. Finally, in the stomach of HSCR mice, enteric neuronal packing density was increased and gastric emptying was faster.

CONCLUSIONS

ENS abnormalities and motility defects are present throughout the ganglionated portions of the GI tract in Ednrb-deficient mice. This may explain the GI morbidity that often occurs following pull-through surgery for HSCR.