title: Radiological findings in total colon aganglionosis and allied disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to review the radiological findings of three cases of total colon aganglionosis (TCA), hypoganglionosis, and immature ganglionosis, and to compare the differences in diagnosis and follow-up of these three disease entities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three neonates with neonatal onset of abdominal distension with vomiting were investigated, and the cases were diagnosed as TCA, hypoganglionosis, and immature ganglionosis, respectively. Radiological examination of each neonate was performed during the neonatal period and at follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A plain abdominal radiograph showed massive abdominal bowel gas and multiple air-fluid levels in all cases. Barium enema findings including no transition zone, normal rectosigmoid index, reflux of barium into a dilated ileum, and retention of barium on delayed film were observed in all three cases. In aganglionosis and hypoganglionosis, a normal-sized colon, irregular contraction, shortening of the colon, and lack of redundancy were observed. In immature ganglionosis, microcolon was present but there was no shortening of the colon or loss of redundancy. Barium studies following ileostomy during childhood revealed no efficient peristalsis after the neonatal period in patients with aganglionosis and hypoganglionosis. Conversely, the patient with immature ganglionosis showed maturity of colonic function on barium studies after infancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical and radiological findings of TCA and allied disorders are similar in neonates. Sequential contrast intestinal studies could reveal peristalsis of the colon wall, suggesting maturity of the ganglion cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kyoto City Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayakawa
authors.forename: Yasuyo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hamanaka
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakatsu
authors.forename: Kazumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Sumio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mukaihara
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hojo
authors.forename: Tsugiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Kosho
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takasu
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimotake
mesh_terms: D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003106:Colon / Q000503:physiopathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate