Hirschsprung disease
Updates to Article Attributes
Hirschsprung disease is the most common cause of neonatal colonic obstruction (15-20%). It is commonly characterised by a short segment of colonic aganglionosis affecting term neonates, especially boys.
Epidemiology
Hirschsprung disease affects approximately 1:5000-8000 live births. In short segment disease, there is a significant predilection for males (M:F of ~3.5:1), which reduces with increasing length of involvement 4,6. Interestingly, it is almost never seen in premature infants.
Clinical presentation
The condition typically presents in term neonates with failure to pass meconium in the first 1-2 days after birth, although later presentation is also common. Overall ~75% of cases present within six weeks of birth 4, and over 90% of cases present within the first five years of life. A very small number may present in the adult population 1.
In cases of delayed presentation with anorectal constipation, manometry may be useful in distinguishing short/ultrashort segment Hirschsprung disease from other causes 5.
A definitive diagnosis requires a full thickness rectal biopsy.
Pathology
Hirschsprung disease is characterised by aganglionosis (absence of ganglion cells) in the distal colon and rectum. It is thought to either occur from a failure of neuroblasts in neural crest cells to migrate into bowel segments or degeneration of already migrated neuroblasts. It affects cells both in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses 4. Hence, functional obstruction develops as a result of a spasm in the denervated colon.
It can be anatomically divided into four types according to the length of the aganglionic segment:
-
short segment disease: ~75% *
- rectal and distal sigmoid colonic involvement only
-
long segment: ~15%
- typically extends to splenic flexure / transverse colon
-
total colonic aganglionosis: ~7.5% (range 2-13%)
- also known as Zuezler-Wilson syndrome
- occasional extension of aganglionosis into the small bowel
-
ultrashort segment disease
- 3-4 cm of internal anal sphincter only
- controversial entity
* see notes on percentages
It is postulated that hypoganglionosis (reduced number of ganglion cells) handles intestinal pseudo-obstruction 4.
Associations
Although Hirschsprung is an isolated abnormality in 70% of cases, there are some well-documented associations, including 4,6:
- Down syndrome: in ~10% of Hirschsprung cases
- neurocristopathy syndromes
- neuroblastoma
- other non-neurocristopathy syndromes
Radiographic features
Radiograph
Findings are primarily those of a bowel obstruction. The affected bowel is of smaller calibre and thus depending on the length of segment affected variable amounts of colonic distension are present.
In protracted cases, marked dilatation can develop, which may progress to enterocolitis and perforation.
Fluoroscopy
A carefully performed contrast enema is indispensable in both the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease but also and in assessing the length of bowel involvement in Hirschsprung disease. It should be noted however, that the depicted transition zone on the contrast enema is not accurate at determining the transition between absent and present ganglion cells.
The affected segment is of small calibre with proximal dilatation. Fasciculation/saw-tooth irregularity of the aganglionic segment is frequently seen.
Views of particular importance include:
- early filling views that include rectum and sigmoid colon allowing for rectosigmoid ratio to be determined.
- transition zone
Antenatal ultrasound
- in particular cases, there may be evidence of fetal colonic dilatation
Treatment and prognosis
Surgical treatment is by removal of the affected portion of the colon. Where this is successful, the prognosis is good. However, in 3-4% of cases, colonic perforation complicates the presentation 2 and this and its sequelae significantly increase both mortality and morbidity. Mortality rates can be as high as 30% due to enterocolitis.
History and etymology
It was first described in 1888 by the Danish paediatrician Harald Hirschsprung (1830-1916) 6-8.
Differential diagnosis
General differential considerations include
- functional megarectum
- necrotising enterocolitis
- microcolon: appears similar to long segment / whole colon Hirschsprung disease
-<p><strong>Hirschsprung disease</strong> is the most common cause of neonatal colonic obstruction (15-20%). It is commonly characterised by a short segment of colonic aganglionosis affecting term neonates, especially boys. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Hirschsprung disease affects approximately 1:5000-8000 live births. In short segment disease, there is a significant predilection for males (M:F of ~3.5:1), which reduces with increasing length of involvement <sup>4,6</sup>. Interestingly, it is almost never seen in premature infants.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>The condition typically presents in term neonates with failure to pass meconium in the first 1-2 days after birth, although later presentation is also common. Overall ~75% of cases present within six weeks of birth <sup>4</sup>, and over 90% of cases present within the first five years of life. A very small number may present in the adult population <sup>1</sup>.</p><p>In cases of delayed presentation with anorectal constipation, manometry may be useful in distinguishing short/ultrashort segment Hirschsprung disease from other causes <sup>5</sup>.</p><p>A definitive diagnosis requires a full thickness rectal biopsy.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Hirschsprung disease is characterised by aganglionosis (absence of ganglion cells) in the distal colon and rectum. It is thought to either occur from a failure of neuroblasts in neural crest cells to migrate into bowel segments or degeneration of already migrated neuroblasts. It affects cells both in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses <sup>4</sup>. Hence, functional obstruction develops as a result of a spasm in the denervated colon. </p><p>It can be anatomically divided into four types according to the length of the aganglionic segment:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Hirschsprung disease</strong> is the most common cause of neonatal colonic obstruction (15-20%). It is commonly characterised by a short segment of colonic aganglionosis affecting term neonates, especially boys. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Hirschsprung disease affects approximately 1:5000-8000 live births. In short segment disease, there is a significant predilection for males (M:F of ~3.5:1), which reduces with increasing length of involvement <sup>4,6</sup>. Interestingly, it is almost never seen in premature infants.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>The condition typically presents in term neonates with failure to pass meconium in the first 1-2 days after birth, although later presentation is also common. Overall ~75% of cases present within six weeks of birth <sup>4 </sup>and over 90% of cases present within the first five years of life. A very small number may present in the adult population <sup>1</sup>.</p><p>In cases of delayed presentation with anorectal constipation, manometry may be useful in distinguishing short/ultrashort segment Hirschsprung disease from other causes <sup>5</sup>.</p><p>A definitive diagnosis requires a full thickness rectal biopsy.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Hirschsprung disease is characterised by aganglionosis (absence of ganglion cells) in the distal colon and rectum. It is thought to either occur from a failure of neuroblasts in neural crest cells to migrate into bowel segments or degeneration of already migrated neuroblasts. It affects cells both in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses <sup>4</sup>. Hence, functional obstruction develops as a result of a spasm in the denervated colon. </p><p>It can be anatomically divided into four types according to the length of the aganglionic segment:</p><ul>
-</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Radiograph</h5><p>Findings are primarily those of a <a href="/articles/bowel-obstruction">bowel obstruction</a>. The affected bowel is of smaller calibre and thus depending on the length of segment affected variable amounts of colonic distension are present.</p><p>In protracted cases, marked dilatation can develop, which may progress to enterocolitis and perforation.</p><h5>Fluoroscopy</h5><p>A carefully performed contrast enema is indispensable in both the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease but also in assessing the length of involvement. It should be noted however that the depicted transition zone on the contrast enema is not accurate at determining the transition between absent and present ganglion cells.</p><p>The affected segment is of small calibre with proximal dilatation. Fasciculation/saw-tooth irregularity of the aganglionic segment is frequently seen.</p><p>Views of particular importance include:</p><ul>- +</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Radiograph</h5><p>Findings are primarily those of a <a href="/articles/bowel-obstruction">bowel obstruction</a>. The affected bowel is of smaller calibre and thus depending on the length of segment affected variable amounts of colonic distension are present.</p><p>In protracted cases, marked dilatation can develop, which may progress to enterocolitis and perforation.</p><h5>Fluoroscopy</h5><p>A carefully performed contrast enema is indispensable in both the diagnosis and in assessing the length of bowel involvement in Hirschsprung disease. It should be noted however, that the depicted transition zone on the contrast enema is not accurate at determining the transition between absent and present ganglion cells.</p><p>The affected segment is of small calibre with proximal dilatation. Fasciculation/saw-tooth irregularity of the aganglionic segment is frequently seen.</p><p>Views of particular importance include:</p><ul>
-</ul><h5>Antenatal ultrasound</h5><ul><li>in particular cases there may be evidence of <a href="/articles/fetal-colonic-dilatation">fetal colonic dilatation</a>- +</ul><h5>Antenatal ultrasound</h5><ul><li>in particular cases, there may be evidence of <a href="/articles/fetal-colonic-dilatation">fetal colonic dilatation</a>
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