Proliferating patterns of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) positive nerve fibres were investigated in 23 neonates with Hirschsprung's disease. All subjects were separated into three groups, according to age. In group A (0-10 days old) adn groups B (11-20 days old, no increase in AChE positive nerve fibres was evidenced in the lamina propria mucosae, whereas 7 out of 9 cases in group C (21-28 days old) showed a moderate or marked increase in AChE positive nerve fibres in the lamina propria mucosae. A typical pattern of this proliferation up to the lamina propria mucosae was seen in 30.4% only of all cases in the series, and was limited to group C, where the positive AChE reaction from the submucosa to the muscularis mucosae (including the submucosa only), the rate was 91.3%. Re-examination was preformed in 14 cases over sthe neonatal period. All showed a positive AChE reaction up to the lamina propria mucosae. Suction biopsy specimen from neonates is sometimes inadequate with respect to the lack of inclusion of the muscularis mucosae and submucosa, as a result of a weakly negative pressure by suction. The normal reactions of AChE activity in the lamina propria mucosae do not exclude Hirschsprung's disease in neonates. Therefore, when a histochemical diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease using rectal suction biopsy for staining of AChE activity is required in the neonatal period, the diagnosis is safe and relatively easy at least over three weeks of age as mentioned above.
Forty‐two patients each with a colorectal polyp have been treated in our hospital over the past 10 years. In twenty‐two cases the polyps were noted in the rectum, nine in the sigmoid colon, seven in the descending colon and four in the transverse colon. Each patient had only one polyp. Hematochezia was the main symptom in 29 patients, prolapse of the polyp from the anus in 10, abdominal pain due to intussusception in two and no symptoms were observed in one. Auto‐amputation of the polyp was considered to have occurred in five patients. Twelve rectal polyps were resected from a transanal operation, and another 25 polyps were removed endoscopically with electric cautery. We have had no experience of endoscopic complications such as bleeding or perforation. A histological examination revealed an adenoma in one patient. Other polyps were non‐neoplastic and were classified as juvenile, inflammatory and hyperplastic in 30, two and four patients, respectively. There have been no recurrences of polyps to date.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.