title: Interstitial cells of Cajal in the gut--a gastroenterologist's point of view.
abstract: Alterations of normal function of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are reported in many intestinal disorders. Diagnosis of their involvement is rare (infrequent), but necessary to propose a specific treatment. This article reviews the place of ICC in the pathogenesis of achalasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and slow transit constipation. Moreover we discuss the role of the Cajal cells in the development of stromal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Trousseau University Hospital Center, Tours, France. negreanu_99@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Lucian M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Negreanu
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Assor
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mateescu
authors.forename: Catalin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cirstoiu
mesh_terms: D001683:Biological Clocks; D003248:Constipation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005762:Gastroenterology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018589:Gastroparesis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007418:Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D046248:Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology