Diagnosing Hirschsprung's disease is a clinical challenge. Hirschsprung's disease should be considered in any child who has a history of constipation dating back to the newborn period. We examined diagnostic methods and their results retrospectively in 37 neonates and infants who underwent both barium enema and anorectal manometry for the diagnosis of Hirschsprungs disease at Asan Medical Center between January 1999 and April 2001. Two radiologists and a surgeon repeatedly reviewed both of the diagnostic results. In anorectal manometry, thirty-four studies were in agreement with the definitive diagnosis, giving an overall diagnostic accuracy of 91.9 % (neonate; 100 %, infant; 85.7 %). The accuracy and specificity of barium enema was lower than those of anorectal manometry, but sensitivity was higher. There was no significant difference between the two methods. Both studies showed findings consistent with the final diagnosis. However, discordant results needed further evaluation or close observation to diagnose accurately. We conclude that Hirschsprungs disease should not be diagnosed by only one diagnostic method.

Anal fistula and perianal abscess in pediatric patients have been reported to have several characteristics, e.g. prevalent in less than 2 years of age, male preponderence, straight course of tract, and low type of fistula. We performed a retrospective study of twenty nine pediatric patients to see these characteristics comparing with the transitional age group of adolescents. Between June 1989 and December 1993, twenty-nine pediatric (<15 year-old) and sixteen adolescent patients(≥ 15, < 25 year-old) with anal fistula and perianal abscess were treated by surgical intervention. Twenty-one(87.5%) and 10(66.7%) enteric bacterial colonies were isolated from 16 pediatric and 11 adolescent patients, respectively. Considering the predominance of low type and the organisms cultured in the pediatric group, crypt-glandular infection seems to be a major preceding event. Incision and drainage were sufficient for cure in 15 among 16 perianal abscesses, and fistulas were cured by either fistulotomy or fistulectomy in all the 14 patients. The importance of effective drainage of perianal abscess and fistulotomy including internal opening cannot be overemphasized.