Authors : Shashidhara T S, Sreelakshmi K, Dayananda S Biligi
DOI : 10.18231/j.jdpo.2020.016
Volume : 5
Issue : 1
Year : 2020
Page No : 83-86
Introduction: Hirschsprung’s diease (HSD) is a congenital malformation of the hindgut characterised by
absence of ganglion cells. The mast cells (MC) population is low in ganglionic segment of the intestine
when compared to the aganglionic segment. The conclusive role of these cells is yet to be proven.
Objectives: To quantify the mast cells in mesenteric and antimesenteric halves of the colonic doughnut
biopsy in cases of HSD. Evaluation of mast cell distribution in relation to thickness of the nerve fibers in
doughnut biopsies in cases of HSD.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted for one year in Bangalore medical college and research
institiute , in the department of pathology from November 2017 to November 2018. 16 levels of doughnut
biopsies from 10 patients with confirmed HSD were received. Toluidine blue stain was done to evaluate
for the MC distribution in the mesenteric and antimesenteric halves.
Results: In our study when the number of MC were correlated with the thickness of the largest nerve fiber,
it was observed that maximum correlation was seen in the anti-mesenteric half (correlation coefficient =
0.70) when compared to only some correlation seen in the mesenteric half (correlation coefficient 0.39).
Conclusion: MC are increased in number with increase in thickness of the nerve fibers in the submucosa
of doughnut biopsies. There was no difference in the distribution of MC between the mesenteric and
antimesenteric halves of doughnut biopsy.
Keywords: Hirschsprung’s disease, Mast cells, Toluidine blue, Doughnut biopsy.