Diverticular disease is associated with an enteric neuropathy as revealed by morphometric analysis

Background The pathogenesis of diverticular disease (DD) is attributed to several aetiological factors (e.g. age, diet, connective tissue disorders) but also includes distinct intestinal motor abnormalities. Although the enteric nervous system (ENS) is the key‐regulator of intestinal motility, data on neuropathological alterations are limited. The study aimed to investigate the ENS by a systematic morphometric analysis. Methods Full‐thickness sigmoid specimens obtained from patients with symptomatic DD (n = 27) and controls (n = 27) were processed for conventional histology and immunohistochemistry using anti‐HuC/D as pan‐neuronal marker. Enteric ganglia, nerve and glial cells were quantified separately in the myenteric, external and internal submucosal plexus compartments. Key Results Compared to controls, patients with DD showed significantly (P