Acetylcholinesterase-activity in rectal mucosa of children with obstipation.

The results are presented of a clinical-enzyme histochemical evaluation of the activity of acetylcholinesterase in the rectal mucosa of 46 children with obstipation. In four cases abundant and coarse acetylcholinesterase positive nerve fibres were present in the lamina propria of the mucosa. Only in these 4 cases was the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease supported by the clinical course. Local accumulations of fine acetylcholinesterase positive nerve fibres or accumulations of acetylcholinesterase positive foamy or structureless material were not correlated with Hirschsprung's disease.