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of the Month |
by Dr
Noreen Norfaraheen Lee Abdullah
MD (UKM),
MMed Radiology (UKM), AM(Mal)
Answer to Case Of the Month
Hirschsprung’s Disease
Discussion of Findings
The plain abdomen radiograph demonstrates
gross dilatation of the entire large bowel loops.
The barium enema examination was performed using a Foley’s catheter. The
balloon was not inflated. There was free flow of barium into the rectum. A
persistent short segment narrowing of the rectum was seen followed by an
abrupt dilatation of the rectosigmoid colon. The transitional zone was
situated approximately 1cm from the anal orifice and measured 1 cm in
length.
The diagnosis was Hirschsprung’s disease.
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Hirschsprung’s Disease |
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Hirschsprung’s disease is
a developmental disorder of the colon and commonly known as colonic
aganglionosis. Hirschsprung’s disease is due to the absence of the myenteric
plexus. This occurs because there is failure of the migration of the neural
crest cells throughout the total length of the gastrointestinal tract.
The involvement can be either long or short segment. Its occurrence is 1 in
5,000 live births and usually presents in the neonatal period. The clinical
picture is of constipation, obstruction or both. Males are frequently
affected in the short segment aganglionosis while equal sex incidence
observed in the long segment disease. Down’s syndrome is associated with
this clinical entity.
In performing this procedure, it is important that the patient does not
undergo any bowel preparation procedure. The reason being - the dilated
bowel facilitates easier recognition of the transition zone. Another point
of note is that the catheter is inserted no more than one centimeter into
the anal canal and the balloon must not be inflated. The examination is
terminated once the aganglionic segment is identified.
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| About
the Author |
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Dr Noreen, a Consultant
Radiologist is currently with the Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian,
Kelantan, Malaysia.
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Last Updated:
Tuesday, 04 January 2005 |
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