X-RAY FINDINGS IN THE PEDIATRIC SURGICAL EMERGENCIES (6) Entire Colon Aganglionosis

• Published in: The KITAKANTO Medical Journal Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 129 - 132
• Main Authors: MATSUYAMA, SHIRO, NAGASHIMA, KIKUO, ISSHIKI, SHIGEO, HONDA, RYUICHI, FUKUZAWA, TOSHIAKI, SUZUKI, NORIO, MATSUSHIMA, MASAMI, IWADARE, JUNICHI
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: The Kitakanto Medical Society 01.03.1974
• ISSN: 0023-1908; 1883-6135
• DOI: 10.2974/kmj1951.24.129

Entire colon aganglionosis is a relatively rare disease, which has grave prognosis with a mortality approaching 80 per cent. The symptoms and X-ray findings are so variable from case to case, its diagnosis is a difficult one. The microcolon and shortened colon are not consistent findings. A barium enema examination often appears to be normal. If one finds the complete reflux of barium into the small bowel, it may reveal a caliber change. There is almost always the retardation of evacuation. We experienced a case of entire colon aganglionosis involving the terminal ileum in a 14-day-old female infant, She passed her first meconium in the second day of life, became distended and started to vomit in the fourth day of life. A barium enema examination revealed a shortend but normal calibered colon. Aganglia of the colon and the terminal ileum was confirmed at surgery and a loop ileostomy was made at the distended ileum about 40 cm. proximal to the ileocecal valve. She developed typical short gut syndrome postoperatively but gradually increased her body weight. Enterocolitis was one of the life threatening postoperative complications. Seventeen months later, Martin' s operation was successfully carried out.