The Density of Interstitial Cells of Cajal Is Diminished in Choledochal Cysts

• Published in: Digestive diseases and sciences Vol. 61; no. 3; pp. 900 - 904
• Main Authors: Karakuş, Osman Z., Ulusoy, Oktay, Aktürk, Güray, Ateş, Oğuz, Olgun, Esra G., Dalgıç, Mustafa, Hakgüder, Gülce, Özer, Erdener, Olguner, Mustafa, Akgür, Feza M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-03-2016; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biochemistry; Case-Control Studies; Cell Count; Child; Child, Preschool; Cholecystectomy; Choledochal Cyst - metabolism; Choledochal Cyst - pathology; Choledochal Cyst - surgery; Cholelithiasis - surgery; Common Bile Duct - cytology; Common Bile Duct - metabolism; Cysts; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Female; Gallbladder - cytology; Gallbladder - metabolism; Gastroenterology; Hepatology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Infant; Interstitial Cells of Cajal - cytology; Interstitial Cells of Cajal - metabolism; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Original Article; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - metabolism; Transplant Surgery; Common bile duct; Gallbladder; Choledochal cysts; Extrahepatic biliary system; Interstitial cells of Cajal
• ISSN: 0163-2116; 1573-2568
• DOI: 10.1007/s10620-015-3936-x

Background and Aims
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) have been shown to be present in the extrahepatic biliary tract of animals and humans. However, ICC distribution in choledochal cysts (CC) has not been investigated. A study was conducted to investigate the distribution of ICC in the extrahepatic biliary tract, including CC, in pediatric human specimens.
Method
The specimens were divided into two main groups as gallbladders and common bile ducts. Gallbladders were obtained from the cholelithiasis, CC operations and autopsies. Common bile ducts were obtained from autopsies. Tissues were stained using c-kit immunohistochemical staining. ICC were assessed semi-quantitatively by applying morphological criteria and were counted as the number of cells/0.24 mm
2
in each area under light microscopy.
Results
A total of 35 gallbladders and 14 CC were obtained from operations. Ten gallbladders plus common bile ducts were obtained from autopsies. The mean numbers of ICC in the gallbladders of cholelithiasis and the gallbladders of CC were 12.2 ± 4.9 and 5.3 ± 1.2, respectively (
p
 = 0.003). The mean numbers of ICC in the common bile ducts and CC were 9.8 ± 2.9 and 3.4 ± 1.4, respectively (
p
 = 0.001).
Conclusion
The scarcity of ICC in the extrahepatic biliary tract may be responsible for the etiopathogenesis of the CC.