Comparing the diagnostic accuracy of hematoxylin-eosin staining versus hematoxylin-eosin combined with calretinin immunohistochemistry in Hirschsprung’s disease: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) is characterized by the absence of ganglion cells in the gastrointestinal tract, often leading to severe motility issues. Accurate diagnosis can be challenging, necessitating reliable methods. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining alone versus its combination with calretinin Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted, reviewing 53 patient diagnosed with HD from January 2019 to December 2022. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of HE staining alone and combined with calretinin IHC. Results: Of the 53 patients, the combined method of HE and calretinin IHC demonstrated a sensitivity of 95.5% and a specificity of 88.9%, compared to 82.9% and 72.0% with HE alone ( P < 0.001). These results underscore significant improvements in diagnostic accuracy with the combined approach. Conclusions: Integrating calretinin IHC with HE staining significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy in Hirschsprung’s disease, recommending its inclusion in diagnostic protocols to minimize misdiagnoses and optimize treatment outcomes. Future studies involving larger, multi-centered cohorts should be conducted to validate these findings and facilitate the integration of this combined diagnostic method into broader clinical practice.