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Electron Microscopic Studies of Hirschsprung’s Disease

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Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders

Abstract

The histopathology of Hirschsprung’s disease is defined by a complete absence of intramural nerve cells and a concomitant hypertrophy of nerve fascicles in caudal regions of the gastrointestinal tract. These pathomorphological criteria are readily recognized by standard enzyme and immunohistochemical techniques in establishing the diagnosis of Hirschsprung’s disease. In contrast, electron microscopic studies are more time-consuming and require several procedures prior to the assessment of the specimens (e.g. fixation, postfixations, semi- and ultrathin sectioning, and specific stainings with heavy metal compounds). Therefore, in clinical routine, electron microscopy is not the tool of first choice to confirm the histopathology of Hirschsprung’s disease.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany

    T. Wedel

  2. University Hospital of Heidelberg at Mannheim, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1, 68135, Mannheim, Germany

    H.-J. Krammer

  3. Immenzaun 6a, 51429 , Bergisch Gladbach, Germany

    A.M. Holschneider

  4. The Children’s Hospital of Cologne, Amsterdamerstr. 59, 50735, Cologne, Germany

    A.M. Holschneider

Authors
  1. T. Wedel
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  2. H.-J. Krammer
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  3. A.M. Holschneider
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Immenzaun 6a, 51429, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany

    Alexander Matthias Holschneider

  2. The Children’s Hospital of Cologne, Amsterdamerstr. 59, 50735 , Cologne, Germany

    Alexander Matthias Holschneider

  3. Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Children’s Research Centre, University College of Dublin, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland

    Prem Puri

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© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Wedel, T., Krammer, HJ., Holschneider, A. (2008). Electron Microscopic Studies of Hirschsprung’s Disease. In: Holschneider, A., Puri, P. (eds) Hirschsprung's Disease and Allied Disorders. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-33935-9_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-33935-9_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-33934-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-33935-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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