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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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
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