Manometry and histochemistry in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease.

Acetylcholine esterase histochemistry and rectal manometry have been used sequentially to evaluate constipated children and to make the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease. When applied together, these modalities give a reliable diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease, restricting the use of deep rectal biopsy to those patients in whom symptoms are most suggestive of Hirschsprung's disease. Acetylcholine esterase histochemistry may be more reliable than rectal manometry in the newborn and premature periods. It is hoped that the combined use of these techniques may make deep rectal biopsy obsolete except in patients with hypoganglionosis.