[Immunohistochemical study of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis].

INTRODUCTION: In spite of the clinical experience about infantil Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (IHPS), its etiopathology remains unknown. Recent studies have been focussed in immunohistochemistry techniques for valuing the neuronal development in the pyloric muscle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We took biopsy from 10 babies diagnosed of IHPS and 10 babies with similar age, died because of other causes. Immunohistochemical study was performed using monoclonal antibodies: S100 protein, GFAP, enolasa and neurofilaments NF. The results were showed semi-quantitativement as strong (++), moderate (+) and absent (-). Immunotinction of the myenteric plexus (ganglion cells and satellite) and nervous fibers of the muscle layer, were done. RESULTS: We observed a poor immunoreactivity in the muscle layer (longitudinal and circular) in the 60-70% of specimens of pyloric muscle in babies with IHPS. GFAP were absent in the 80% in the myenteric plexus. This poor innervation may be related to the etiopathogenesis of pyloric stenosis and hypertrophy.