Pediatric surgery international
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Pediatr. Surg. Int. · Sep 2015
ReviewRectal suction biopsy for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease: a systematic review of diagnostic accuracy and complications.
Rectal suction biopsy (RSB) combined with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) staining is currently the gold standard for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). However, some pathologists are still reluctant to diagnose HD in RSBs as it requires thick submucosal tissue to confirm the absence of ganglion cells. Furthermore, insufficient specimens and adverse events have been reported. The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy and incidence of complications of RSBs in patients suspected of HD based on a systematic review of the published literature. ⋯ RSB combined with AChE staining is a simple, safe and accurate method for the diagnosis of HD. The risk for RSB-related complications is higher in newborns and infants.