Abstract

61 cases of neuronal intestinal dysplasia are compared in a follow-up study. Two clinically and bioptically different types of intestinal dysplasia can be distinguished. One type with involvement of the sympathetic nerves and the clinical signs of intestinal spasticity, ulcerative colitis with haemorrhagic stools. Histotopochemically, this disease pattern shows aplasia or hypoplasia of the sympathetic nerves with enhanced parasympathetic activity (elevated acetylcholinesterase activity in the lamina propria mucosae and orbicular musculature). One type with involvement of the plexus submucosus clinically accompanied by adynamia of the colon with megacolon formation. This type becomes manifest usually around the 6th month of life. Bioptically there are large groups of ganglion cells and Schwann's cells, but there is also acetylcholinesterase activity as in the other type. This 2nd form is seen more frequently. A third form is a combination of both diseases. The incidence rate of neuronal intestinal dysplasia is equal to that of Hirschsprung's disease.