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Alterations in the Density of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in Achalasia

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the quantity of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in achalasia. LES muscle was obtained from 11 achalasia and nine esophageal cancer (control) patients during surgery. Immunohistochemistry was performed and average cell counts per high-power field (HPF) were obtained. Overall, more ICC were observed in achalasia (median = 14.0 cells/HPF; range = 0–22.6 cells/HPF) as compared with controls (median = 6.2 cells/HPF; range = 1.6–10.8 cells/HPF) (P = 0.047). There were two subsets of findings within the achalasia group: 8/11(73%) had an increased quantity of ICC (median = 17.1 cells/HPF; range = 11.6–22.6; P = 0.015) as compared with controls, whereas the remaining 3/11(27%) had a paucity of ICC (median = 0 cells/HPF; range = 0–2; P = 0.02). ICC levels were positively correlated with age of the patient (P = 0.043). Our study demonstrates that subsets of abnormal ICC levels are observed in idiopathic achalasia of the esophagus.

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Abbreviations

ICC:

Interstitial cells of Cajal

LES:

Lower esophageal sphincter

LESP:

Lower esophageal sphincter pressure

HPF:

High power field

MC:

Mast cells

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Heart, Lung, and Esophageal Surgery Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Arman Kilic, James D. Luketich, Rodney J. Landreneau & Matthew J. Schuchert

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Scott R. Owens & Alyssa M. Krasinskas

  3. Heart, Lung, and Esophageal Surgery Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Shadyside Medical Building, 5200 Centre Avenue, Suite 715, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA

    Matthew J. Schuchert

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  1. Arman Kilic
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  2. James D. Luketich
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  3. Rodney J. Landreneau
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  4. Scott R. Owens
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  5. Alyssa M. Krasinskas
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  6. Matthew J. Schuchert
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Correspondence to Matthew J. Schuchert.

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Kilic, A., Luketich, J.D., Landreneau, R.J. et al. Alterations in the Density of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in Achalasia. Dig Dis Sci 53, 1488–1492 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-0053-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-0053-5

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