HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF NEURONAL INTESTINAL DYSPLASIA OF THE PLEXUS-SUBMUCOSUS IN WHOLE MOUNTS REVEALED BY IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY FOR PGP-9.5

Neuronal intestinal dysplasia (NID) is well-known, but its definition is a topic of debate. The histopathological diagnosis of NID is based on traditional enzyme-histochemical methods such as the acetylcholines terase and dehydrogenase reaction on native cryosections. In this stud y, we have investigated the enteric nervous system in whole mount prep arations of resected intestinal segments affected by NID of the plexus submucosus (type B). The plexuses of the tunica mucosa and tunica sub mucosa were visualized by immunohistochemical methods using a polyclon al antibody to protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5). PGP 9.5 is a novel general cytoplasmatic marker specific for the nervous system. The morp hology of the plexuses is revealed in full, making possible changes ea sily discernible. Known pathological findings of the NID can be identi fied and judged more precisely with this method. Numerous enlarged ner ve trunks run within the tunica submucosa and tunica mucosa. Hyperplas tic ganglia with an unusually high nerve cell number in the tunica sub mucosa can be demonstrated as well as heterotopic nerve cells in the t unica mucosa.