Hirschsprung Disease (cont.)
How does the doctor find out if Hirschsprung's disease is the problem?
To find out if a person has Hirschsprung's disease, the doctor will do one or more tests:
- barium enema (BAR-ee-um EN-uh-muh) x ray
- manometry (ma-NOM-eh-tree)
- biopsy (BY-op-see)
Barium Enema X Ray
An x ray is a black-and-white picture of the inside of
the body. The picture is taken with a special machine that uses a small amount
of radiation. For a
barium enema x ray, the doctor puts barium through the anus into the intestine
before taking the picture. Barium is a liquid that makes the intestine show up
better on the x ray.
In some cases, instead of barium another liquid, called Gastrografin, may be
used. Gastrografin is also sometimes used in newborns to help remove a hard
first stool. Gastrografin causes water to be pulled into the intestine, and the
extra water softens the stool.
In places where the nerve cells are missing, the intestine looks too narrow.
If a narrow large intestine shows on the x ray, the doctor knows Hirschsprung's disease might be the
problem. More tests will help the doctor know for sure.
Other tests to diagnose Hirschsprung's disease are manometry and biopsy:
Manometry
The doctor inflates a small balloon inside the rectum. Normally, the anal
muscle will relax. If it doesn't, Hirschsprung's disease may be the problem. This test is most often
done in older children and adults.
Biopsy
This is the most accurate test for Hirschsprung's
disease. The doctor removes and looks at a tiny piece of the intestine under a
microscope. If the nerve cells are missing, Hirschsprung's disease is
the problem.
The doctor may do one or all of these tests. It depends on the child.
Next: What is the treatment for Hirschsprung's disease?? »
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