MUCOSAL PROLAPSE CHANGES IN HIRSCHSPRUNGS-DISEASE

The aim of this study was to ascertain the incidence of mucosal prolap se changes in Hirschsprung's disease, Twenty-three random, consecutive resection specimens for this condition were analysed for the histolog ical features of prolapse. Eight cases showed histological evidence su ggesting mucosal prolapse at the junction between ganglionic and agang lionic bowel, Thickening and splaying of the muscularis mucosae with e xtension into the lamina propria, and the presence of metaplastic or h yperplastic tubules with goblet cell and cryptal hypertrophy were the dominant histological features found in the eight cases, In addition, an increase in elastic fibres in the lamina propria and diamond shaped glands were seen to varying degrees in all eight: cases, Mucosal prol apse was more prominent in the older patients and is, therefore, relat ed to duration of symptoms, Differential pressures in ganglionic and a ganglionic segments of bowel, together with faecal stream and strainin g are likely to be of pathogenetic significance.