Hirschsprung's disease in an adult. Special reference to histochemical determination of the acetylcholinesterase activity.
A 24-year-old Japanese woman with Hirschsprung's disease was subjected to the combination of barium enema, anorectal manometry, and a histochemical study of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in rectal suction biopsy. The histochemistry revealed a marked increase of AChE positive nerve fibers. The importance of such a study is stressed in order to diagnose Hirschsprung's disease correctly, even in adults. A Z-shaped anastomosis as a modification of Duhamel's method was carried out. The postoperative course was uneventful and she now has normal bowel evacuation.
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis*; D000328:Adult; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D012007:Rectum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000294:innervation
D001466:Barium Sulfate; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase