Segmental hypoganglionosis of the colon: A case report

Abstract

A 64-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with persistent abdominal pain. She had been hospital-ized with similar symptoms on five occasions during a period of 2 years. Computed tomography revealed dilatation and fecal impaction from the ileum to the transverse colon. A barium enema and si-multaneous ileus tube radiography showed a narrow segment of descending-sigmoid colon. Colono-scopy showed no mucosal change. Her symptoms did not improve with conservative therapy, so descending and sigmoid colectomy was performed. Histologic examination showed disappearance of gan-glion cells; axon of Meissner’s plexuses was present, and the number of Auerbach’s plexuses was de-creased. The definitive diagnosis was segmental hypoganglionosis (SH) of the colon. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the functional result was positive at 1 year postoperatively. SH is extremely rare; however, surgical intervention is expected to be of benefit. Therefore, it is important to keep SH in mind when treating patients with chronic obstruction of the left side of the colon. (J Nippon Med Sch 2021; 88: 370―374).