How Do We Know it's Hirschsprung Disease?

Could it be something else? Alyssa and Jake hoped that the doctors were wrong. Caleb must be ok.  How would they know for sure it was Hirschsprung Disease?

First, the doctors wanted to see what was going on inside Caleb's belly, so they took an xray.  It showed that part of his colon was swollen. This was indicative of Hirschsprung Disease, but more tests were still necessary. 

"Caleb's Abdominal X-Ray"

 The doctors told Caleb's parents they also needed to do something called a contrast enema to get a better picture of his colon.  For this, they put a dye into his rectum that would make his colon show up better on xrays. The contrast enema was also indicative on HD, showing an enlarged upper section of colon, with the lower segment looking very thin. 

Caleb's Contrast X-Ray

 The last test was called a suction biopsy.  The doctor would take a sample of Caleb's colon tissue and examine it for nerve cells. Alyssa & Jake were assured that this wouldn't hurt.  


It was the final test, and it showed no nerve cells. Caleb was officially diagnosed with Hirschsprung Disease at 6 days old.

How is Hirschsprung Diagnosed?

xray pic from: http://img.medscape.com/pi/emed/ckb/radiology/336139-409150-6930.jpg
contrast xray: http://img.medscape.com/pi/emed/ckb/radiology/336139-409150-6939.jpg

info from: https://go.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/hirschsprung/about.php?gclid=Cj0KEQjwmLipBRC59O_EqJ_E0asBEiQATYdN
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