Correlation of number of mast cells and thickness of submucosal nerve fibers in mesenteric and antimesenteric halves of the doughnut biopsy in hirschsprung’s disease

Abstract

Hirschsprung’s diease (HSD) is a congenital malformation of the hindgut characterised by absence of ganglion cells. The mast cells (MC) population is low in ganglionic segment of the intestine when compared to the aganglionic segment. The conclusive role of these cells is yet to be proven. To quantify the mast cells in mesenteric and antimesenteric halves of the colonic doughnut biopsy in cases of HSD. Evaluation of mast cell distribution in relation to thickness of the nerve fibers in doughnut biopsies in cases of HSD. This study was conducted for one year in Bangalore medical college and research institiute , in the department of pathology from November 2017 to November 2018. 16 levels of doughnut biopsies from 10 patients with confirmed HSD were received. Toluidine blue stain was done to evaluate for the MC distribution in the mesenteric and antimesenteric halves. In our study when the number of MC were correlated with the thickness of the largest nerve fiber, it was observed that maximum correlation was seen in the anti-mesenteric half (correlation coefficient = 0.70) when compared to only some correlation seen in the mesenteric half (correlation coefficient 0.39). MC are increased in number with increase in thickness of the nerve fibers in the submucosa of doughnut biopsies. There was no difference in the distribution of MC between the mesenteric and antimesenteric halves of doughnut biopsy.