[Lesions of the myenterix plexuses in idiopathic chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and in certain general diseases].

Recent observation of a case of idiopathic chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and the relationship sometimes suggested in this context with certain systemic diseases, such as scleroderma, led the authors to compare the changes seen in the myenteric plexuses in these different groups of disorders. The intramural plexuses were studied using the technique of B. Smith, in thick frozen section parallel to the lumen and stained using Bielchowsky's method. Plexus innervation was normal in a case of digestive amyloidosis and a case of myxoedema. There were secondary changes in the plexuses in scleroderma. The lesions were very different in our case of idiopathic chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (marked decrease in the number of neurones with degenerative changes in the neurones and dendrites, marked schwannosis). A decrease in the number of neurones was seen in a case of severe diabetes. Various mechanisms are discussed. These cases emphasize the great value of B. Smith's technique in the fine study of the intramural plexus innervation of the digestive wall.