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The Density of Interstitial Cells of Cajal Is Diminished in Choledochal Cysts

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Abstract

Background and Aims

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) have been shown to be present in the extrahepatic biliary tract of animals and humans. However, ICC distribution in choledochal cysts (CC) has not been investigated. A study was conducted to investigate the distribution of ICC in the extrahepatic biliary tract, including CC, in pediatric human specimens.

Method

The specimens were divided into two main groups as gallbladders and common bile ducts. Gallbladders were obtained from the cholelithiasis, CC operations and autopsies. Common bile ducts were obtained from autopsies. Tissues were stained using c-kit immunohistochemical staining. ICC were assessed semi-quantitatively by applying morphological criteria and were counted as the number of cells/0.24 mm2 in each area under light microscopy.

Results

A total of 35 gallbladders and 14 CC were obtained from operations. Ten gallbladders plus common bile ducts were obtained from autopsies. The mean numbers of ICC in the gallbladders of cholelithiasis and the gallbladders of CC were 12.2 ± 4.9 and 5.3 ± 1.2, respectively (p = 0.003). The mean numbers of ICC in the common bile ducts and CC were 9.8 ± 2.9 and 3.4 ± 1.4, respectively (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The scarcity of ICC in the extrahepatic biliary tract may be responsible for the etiopathogenesis of the CC.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Dilara Onur, M.S. for language editing.

Financial support

This study was funded by The Coordination Unit of Scientific Research Project of the Dokuz Eylül University, Turkey, without any particular role in the study design, recruitment of individuals, data analysis or the writing of the report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dokuz Eylül University, Medical School, Izmir, Turkey

    Osman Z. Karakuş, Oktay Ulusoy, Oğuz Ateş, Gülce Hakgüder, Mustafa Olguner & Feza M. Akgür

  2. Department of Pathology, Dokuz Eylül University, Medical School, Izmir, Turkey

    Güray Aktürk & Erdener Özer

  3. Department of Morgue, Regional Center, Forensic Medicine Institutions, Izmir, Turkey

    Esra G. Olgun & Mustafa Dalgıç

  4. Çocuk Cerrahisi Anabilim Dalı, Tıp Fakültesi, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi, 35340, Balçova, Izmir, Turkey

    Osman Z. Karakuş

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  1. Osman Z. Karakuş
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  2. Oktay Ulusoy
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  3. Güray Aktürk
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  7. Gülce Hakgüder
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Correspondence to Osman Z. Karakuş.

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Karakuş, O.Z., Ulusoy, O., Aktürk, G. et al. The Density of Interstitial Cells of Cajal Is Diminished in Choledochal Cysts. Dig Dis Sci 61, 900–904 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-015-3936-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-015-3936-x

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