Congenital aganglionosis of the entire colon in neonates.

A report of six cases and their radiological diagnosis in neonates. Total colonic aganglionosis (TCA) is a variety of what is commonly known as long segment Hirschsprung's disease. This is not a rare condition, but is often unrecognized. It has a high mortality, frequently with a complicating enterocolitis. Aganglionosis of some part of the colon should be suspected in all babies who show obstructive plain film changes. In TCA the barium enema changes may easily be passed as unremarkable. However, free ileal reflux during the examination, with a transition point in the ileum, and retention of barium in the entire colon after the examination, are diagnostic.