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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Diagnosis of Hirschsprung's Disease by Immunostaining Rectal Suction Biopsies for Calretinin, S100 Protein and Protein Gene Product 9.5
05:45

Diagnosis of Hirschsprung's Disease by Immunostaining Rectal Suction Biopsies for Calretinin, S100 Protein and Protein Gene Product 9.5

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An unusual pediatric case of chronic constipation and rectosigmoid prolapse diagnosed by video defecography

Aaron P Lesher1, Jeanne G Hill, Stephen I Schabel

  • 1Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|May 5, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Severe rectal prolapse in children can indicate underlying issues. Video defecography identified a functional sigmoid obstruction, leading to successful surgical treatment in a 13-year-old boy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Rectal prolapse is common in children, often resolving with conservative treatment.
  • Persistent cases with chronic constipation may signal serious, difficult-to-diagnose conditions.

Observation:

  • A 13-year-old boy presented with severe, recurrent rectal prolapse and chronic constipation.
  • Routine imaging failed to reveal the cause, necessitating advanced diagnostics.

Findings:

  • Video defecography, an uncommon pediatric imaging technique, revealed a functional sigmoid obstruction.
  • This obstruction was not detected by standard imaging methods.

Implications:

  • Video defecography can be crucial for diagnosing complex pediatric rectal prolapse cases.
  • Surgical intervention, like laparoscopic sigmoidectomy, can effectively treat severe, persistent conditions.

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