Online Exclusives
Disorders of interstitial cells of Cajal in a neonate with segmental dilatation of the intestine
Localized myopathy of the muscular layers may be an important factor contributing to segmental dilatation of the intestine (SDI). Only one report has described SDI of the jejunum in a neonate showing no abnormality of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). The present report describes the very rare case of a neonatal girl with segmental dilatation of the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum with irregular arrangements of Auerbach's plexus and ICC and the successful surgical treatment of SDI. We review the literature on this type of relationship between abnormality of ICC and SDI and discuss the clinical features of this complication.Absence of the interstitial cells of Cajal in a child with chronic pseudoobstruction
Absence or altered distribution of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) has been described in association with intestinal pseudoobstruction in adults. We report the first pediatric case with regional absence of ICCs in the distal small bowel and colon associated with intestinal pseudoobstruction. This report highlights that abnormalities of the ICCs in intestinal pseudoobstruction should be considered early in the diagnostic workup of children with intestinal pseudoobstruction.
