Hirschsprung disease
Living with
How does the diagnostic biopsy for Hirschsprung disease work?
The colon biopsy to diagnose Hirschsprung disease is normally done without anesthesia and has minor complications, including bleeding or tearing of the rectum. The colon, or large intestine, is the last part of the digestive system and transports digested food and liquid from the small intestine to the rectum. The rectum is the final portion of the large intestine that connects to the anus. Before the biopsy procedure, it is necessary to clear the colon via laxative or enema. The doctor will insert an instrument into the rectum, which may be uncomfortable. They will then remove a small piece of the colon to examine. If nerve cells are not found in the sample, it means the patient has Hirschsprung disease. To learn more about the biopsy procedure speak with the physician who will be performing the procedure on you or your child.
Zillur Rahman, Jafrul Hannan, Saiful Islamhttp; "Hirschsprung’s disease: Role of rectal suction biopsy - data on 216 specimens". J Indian Assoc Pediatr Surg. 2010 Apr-Jun; 15(2): 56–58. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2952777/
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003891.htm