Differential changes in intrinsic innervation and interstitial cells of Cajal in small bowel atresia in newborns

AIM: To investigate morphological changes of the enteric nervous system (ENS) and the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in small bowel atresia.METHODS: Resected small bowel specimens from affected patients (n = 7) were divided into three parts (proximal, atretic, distal). Standard histology and enzyme immunohistochemistry anti-S100, anti-protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, anti-neurofilament (NF), antic-kit-receptor (CD117) was carried out on conventional paraffin sections of the proximal and distal part. RESULTS: The neuronal and glial markers (PGP 9.5, NF, S-100) were expressed in hypertrophied ganglia and nerve fibres within the myenteric and submucosal plexuses. Furthermore, the submucous plexus contained typical giant ganglia. The innervation pattern of the proximal bowel resembled intestinal neuronal dysplasia. The density of myenteric ICCs was clearly reduced in the proximal bowel, whereas a moderate number of muscular ICCs were found. The anti-CD117 immunore- action revealed additional numerous mast cells. The distal bowel demonstrated normal morphology and density of the ENS, the ICCs and the mast cells.CONCLUSION: The proximal and distal bowel in small bowel atresia revealed clear changes in morphology and density of the ENS and ICCs.

Changes of smooth muscle contractile filaments in small bowel atresia

AIM:To investigate morphological changes of intestinal smooth muscle contractile fibres in small bowel atresia patients.METHODS:Resected small bowel specimens from small bowel atresia patients(n = 12) were divided into three sections(proximal,atretic and distal).Standard histology hematoxylin-eosin staining and enzyme immunohistochemistry was performed to visualize smooth muscle contractile markers-smooth muscle actin(SMA) and desmin using conventional paraffin sections of the proximal and distal bowel.Small bowel from agematched patients(n = 2) undergoing Meckel's diverticulum resection served as controls.RESULTS:The smooth muscle coat in the proximal bowel of small bowel atresia patients was thickened compared with control tissue,but the distal bowel was unchanged.Expression of smooth muscle contractile fibres SMA and desmin within the proximal bowel was slightly reduced compared with the distal bowel and control tissue.There were no major differences in the architecture of the smooth muscle within the proximal bowel and the distal bowel.The proximal and distal bowel in small bowel atresia patients revealed only minimal differences regarding smooth muscle morphology and the presence of smooth muscle contractile filament markers.CONCLUSION:Changes in smooth muscle contractile filaments do not appear to play a major role in postoperative motility disorders in small bowel atresia.