The pathogenesis of idiopathic megacolon

• Published in: European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology Vol. 18; no. 11; p. 1209
• Main Authors: Meier-Ruge, William A, Müller-Lobeck, Heinrich, Stoss, Franz, Bruder, Elisabeth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.11.2006
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Atrophy; Case-Control Studies; Coiled Bodies - pathology; Collagen Type III - analysis; Colon - chemistry; Colon - innervation; Colon - pathology; Connective Tissue - chemistry; Connective Tissue - pathology; Enteric Nervous System - enzymology; Enteric Nervous System - pathology; Female; Histocytochemistry - methods; Humans; Immunohistochemistry - methods; Male; Megacolon - metabolism; Megacolon - pathology; Megacolon - physiopathology; Middle Aged; Muscle, Smooth - pathology; Myenteric Plexus - pathology; Sex Factors

Even today, the pathogenesis of idiopathic megacolon is still a subject of controversy. Anomalies of the gastrointestinal autonomous nervous system or of the smooth muscle of the muscularis propria are being considered. Sixty-three idiopathic megacolon resections between 1997 and June 2004 were inve...