Features of the morphological diagnostics of Hirschsprung’s disease

Hirschsprung's disease is a complex surgical disorder that requires histological methods to be verified. This disease is part of the neurocristopathies group, which encompasses colon aganglionosis and other structural disorders, about their treatment and diagnostic tactics are still unresolved. The purpose of the study is to identify morphological changes in the colon wall by using a variety of research methods necessary for diagnosing, surgical correction, and predicting treatment results for Hirschsprung's disease. A prospective analysis of their treatment results was performed on the materials of 119 pediatric patients in this study (91 - boys, 28 - girls). Histochemical, immune-histochemical, and electron microscopic methods were performed on the patients' bioptats colon, along with light microscopy for express biopsy and postoperative material stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Morphological analysis of colon biopsy specimens revealed the presence of degenerative processes in all colon shits, which led to the changes of its structures. Intramural nerve fibers and plexuses throughout the colon were hypoplastic and the complete absence of intramural neurons in the aganglionosis zone is what causes this changes. The findings on the changes in the colon shits close to the aganglionosis zone suggest that the neuromuscular, endocrine, and immune system structures in the intestinal membranes are undergoing primary hypoplased. Secondary degenerative changes also occur in patients with age. Despite successful surgical treatment, functional results associated with intestinal motility in Hirschsprung's disease may not always be satisfactory, as evidenced by changes in the structures of intestinal ganglia. The occurrence of enterocolitis is also explained by these changes, both during and after surgery. Our own results allow us to state that diverse morphological examination methods are necessary for different forms of Hirschsprung's disease and biopsy types.