Skip to main content
Log in

Radiological findings in total aganglionosis coli

  • Originals
  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The radiological findings in 13 patients with total aganglionosis coli were reviewed. There was a male to female ratio of 7:6. Fifty-four percent of patients presented in the first week of life, but a significant number (31%) did not present until after 1 month of age. All patients had plain film evidence of bowel obstruction when referred for a barium enema. There were no pathognomonic barium enema findings, and barium enema results covered the entire spectrum of findings which can be encountered in the neonate and young infant with bowel obstruction. Seventy-seven percent had normal calibre colon, 23% had micro colon, 23% had a shortened colon, 46% had colonic wall irregularity, 33% had significant ileal reflux. Delayed evacuation of barium from colon occurred in the two patients who had delayed films. Total colonic aganglionosis should be considered in any infant or young child with plain film evidence of bowel obstruction, whatever the barium enema findings. Hirschsprung's disease and the level of transition can only be definitively diagnosed by biopsy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Berdon WE, Baker DH (1965) The roentgenographic diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease in infancy. AJR 93: 432

    Google Scholar 

  2. Berdon WE, Koontz P, Baker DH (1964) The diagnosis of colonic and terminal ileal aganglionosis. AJR 91: 680

    Google Scholar 

  3. Campbell PE, Noblett HR (1969) Experience with rectal suction biopsy in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease. J Pediatr Surg: 410

  4. Cass DT, Myers NA (1984) Total aganglionosis coli (in preparation)

  5. Chandler NW, Zwiren GT (1970) Complete reflux of small bowel in total colon Hirschsprung's disease. Radiology 94: 335

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Cremin BJ, Golding RL (1976) Congenital aganglionosis of the entire colon in neonates. Br J Radiol 49: 27

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. French RS (1965) Aganglionosis involving the entire colon and variable length of small bowel. Radiology 90: 249

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hope JW, Borns PF, Berg PK (1965) Roentgenologic manifestations of Hirschsprung's disease in infancy. AJR 95: 217

    Google Scholar 

  9. Johnston JF, Cronk RL (1980) The pseudotransition zone in Long Segment Hirschsprung's disease. Pediatr Radiol 10: 87

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Le Quesne GW, Reilly BJ (1975) Functional immaturity of the large bowel in the newborn infant. Radiol Clin North Am 13: 331–342

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Meir-Ruge W, Lutterbeck PM, Herzog B, et al. (1972) Acetylcholinesterase activity in suction biopsies of the rectum in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease. J Pediatr Surg 7: 11

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Prevot J, Bodart N, Babut JM, Mourot M (1972) Hirschsprung's disease with total colonic involvement. Therapeutic problems. Prog Paediatr Surg 4: 63

    Google Scholar 

  13. Sane S, Girdany BR (1973) Total aganglionosis coli. Radiology 107:397

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Schey WL, White H (1971) Hirschsprung's disease. Problems in the Roentgen interpretation. Am J Radiol 112:105

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

De Campo, J.F., Mayne, V., Boldt, D.W. et al. Radiological findings in total aganglionosis coli. Pediatr Radiol 14, 205–209 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01042242

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01042242

Keywords

Navigation