New application of catecholamine fluorescence histochemistry using glyoxylic acid for diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease by rectal biopsy.
Catecholaminergic innervation was studied in the rectal biopsy specimen obtained from patients with Hirschsprung's disease. The histofluorescence of catecholamine was examined using glyoxylic acid and magnesium without freeze-drying. Aganglionic specimens exhibited no fluorescent network of terminals or fibres in the submucosal plexus, whereas ganglionic specimens showed ganglion cells surrounded by a network of catecholaminergic terminals and fibres. These results of rectal biopsy could be obtained easily and quickly with good reliability. Examination of the catecholaminergic innervation by this histofluorescence method provides a new approach to the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease.
D000320:Adrenergic Fibers / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006038:Glyoxylates; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D012007:Rectum / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology*
D002395:Catecholamines; D006038:Glyoxylates; C031150:glyoxylic acid