EFFECTS OF DESTRUCTION OF INTRAMURAL GANGLION CELLS ON COLON MOTILITY: POSSIBLE GENESIS OF CONGENITAL MEGACOLON

Abstract

1. In the dog, a segment of colon corresponding to the recto-sigmoid region of man, was kept in a temporary state of anemia by perfusing the blood vessels of the loop with TYRODE solution for 4 hours, blood circulation of the loop being resumed thereafter.2. Periodic roentgenologic examinations between 14 and 350 days after operation, revealed that the perfused loop remained persistently in a state of constriction with marked or with slight dilatation of the colon proximal to that site. We feel, that the picture of congenital megacolon may thus be produced experimentally.3. The intramural ganglion cells in the constricted loop had degenerated completely.