神经节细胞的缺乏、肥大神经的存在以及乙酰胆碱酯酶的增加是对功能障碍性肠段进行病理学诊断的关键。[20]Elema JD, de Vries JA, Vos LJ. Intensity and proximal extension of acetylcholinesterase activity in the mucosa of the rectosigmoid in Hirschsprung's disease. J Pediatr Surg. 1973;8:361-368.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4715742?tool=bestpractice.com[21]Howard ER. Hirschsprung's disease: a review of the morphology and physiology. Postgrad Med J. 1972;48:471-477.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4116711?tool=bestpractice.com[22]Howard ER. Histochemistry in the diagnosis and investigation of congenital aganglionosis (Hirschsprung's disease). Am Surg. 1973;39:602-607.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4126899?tool=bestpractice.com[23]Lawal TA, Chatoorgoon K, Collins MH, et al. Redo pull-through in Hirschsprung's [corrected] disease for obstructive symptoms due to residual aganglionosis and transition zone bowel. J Pediatr Surg. 2011;46:342-347. [Erratum in: J Pediatr Surg. 2011;46:791.]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21292085?tool=bestpractice.com
[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: 组织学部分,包括直肠黏膜和黏膜下层,显示了黏膜下神经丛中的神经节细胞集群。这在此级别排除先天性巨结肠症Corman ML. 结肠和直肠手术。第五版费城,PA:Lippincott Williams 和 Wilkins; 2005:555;经许可使用 [Citation ends].
[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: 组织学部分;包括直肠的黏膜和黏膜下层,显示黏膜下神经丛的扭曲和肥大神经干。无任何神经节细胞存在的证据。这将确诊先天性巨结肠症Corman ML. 结肠和直肠手术。第五版费城,PA:Lippincott Williams 和 Wilkins; 2005:555;经许可使用 [Citation ends].
病理染色证明位于黏膜肌层、黏膜固有层和黏膜下层的超大神经纤维的数量显著增加,且乙酰胆碱酯酶活性增加。肥大神经是直径超过 40 微米的神经。[23]Lawal TA, Chatoorgoon K, Collins MH, et al. Redo pull-through in Hirschsprung's [corrected] disease for obstructive symptoms due to residual aganglionosis and transition zone bowel. J Pediatr Surg. 2011;46:342-347. [Erratum in: J Pediatr Surg. 2011;46:791.]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21292085?tool=bestpractice.com
通常认为此病是起源于神经嵴的组织发育失败导致的。似乎神经管原肠神经节细胞从神经嵴向下通过迷走神经纤维,沿着远端小肠进入上胃肠道的头尾向迁移中出现抑制。[24]Okamoto E, Ueda T. Embryogenesis of intramural ganglia of the gut and its relation to Hirschsprung's disease. J Pediatr Surg. 1967;2:437.因此,肌间神经丛、亨利丛和梅氏神经丛中缺少神经节细胞。[6]Passarge E. The genetics of Hirschsprung's disease. Evidence for heterogeneous etiology and a study of sixty-three families. N Engl J Med. 1967;276:138-143.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4224912?tool=bestpractice.com
在正常情况下,神经节充当交感神经和副交感神经发挥功能的共同最终路径。缺少它们可能会使受影响肠管产生不协调收缩。除了肠管松弛的缺乏以及内括约肌的痉挛,无神经节段的痉挛、蠕动无力和大规模收缩都得到良好记述。[25]Hiatt RB. A further description of the pathologic physiology of congenital megacolon and the results of surgical treatment. Pediatrics. 1958;21:825-831.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13542128?tool=bestpractice.com[26]Tobon F, Reid NC, Talbert JL, et al. Nonsurgical test for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease. N Engl J Med. 1968;278:188-193.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5711339?tool=bestpractice.com这些病理生理学事件的临床结果是部分或全结肠功能障碍。
一氧化氮负责抑制内在肠神经活动的神经递质的角色正在被阐明。[27]O'Kelly TJ, Davies JR, Tam PK, et al. Abnormalities of nitric-oxide producing neurons in Hirschsprung's disease: morphology and implications. J Pediatr Surg. 1994;29:294-299.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7513759?tool=bestpractice.com[28]Bealer JF, Natuzzi ES, Buscher C, et al. Nitric oxide synthase is deficient in the aganglionic colon of patients with Hirschsprung's disease. Pediatrics. 1994;93:647-651.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7510876?tool=bestpractice.com