3D Imaging of the Human Colon, Hirschsprung’s Disease Analysis
This video presents a 3D imaging dataset of human colon tissue affected by Hirschsprung’s disease. The condition occurs in approximately 1 in 5,000 newborns and is characterized by incomplete neural development within the gastrointestinal tract.
The sample was stained with TO PRO3 for nuclei and PGP9.5 for neural structures, then pseudocolored in green and red to visualize architectural features with clarity.
The dataset shows two characteristic findings. Hypertrophic nerve fibers are evident throughout the submucosa, and ganglion cells are absent.
Viewing the entire colon volume in 3D provides a continuous representation of these abnormalities, allowing for the assessment of their spatial organization rather than relying on isolated sections.
This example illustrates how 3D GI imaging enhances diagnostic evaluation, supports detailed phenotyping, and improves understanding of congenital gastrointestinal disorders.