Hirschsprung's Disease
Alternate Names : Congenital Megacolon
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Hirschsprung's Disease Diagnosis & Tests
During a physical examination, the doctor may be able to feel loops of bowel in the distended abdomen. A rectal examination may detect a loss of muscle tone in the rectal muscles.
Tests used in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease include:
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abdominal X-ray, showing distention of colon with gas and feces
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barium enema
- anal manometry (a balloon is dilated in the rectum to measure the anal sphincter pressure)
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rectal biopsy, showing absence of ganglion nerve cells
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