Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: How accurate are the clinical criteria?

The clinical diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is based on the Curaçao criteria. Three out of four criteria are required for a definite clinical diagnosis HHT, two criteria are considered “possible” HHT, and 0 or 1 criterion makes the diagnosis unlikely. However, these consensus diagnostic criteria have not been validated. We report on the diagnostic accuracy of the clinical criteria. A total of 450 consecutive persons ≥16 years of age were screened for HHT between May 2004 and September 2009, including a chest CT to screen for pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). We selected 263 first‐degree relatives of disease‐causing mutation carriers who underwent mutation analysis. Genetic test results were considered the gold standard. The family mutation was present in 186 patients (mean age 42.9 ± 14.6 yr; 54.8% female). A clinical diagnosis was definite, “possible”, and unlikely in 168 (90.3%), 17 (9.1%), and 1 (0.5%) patient, respectively. In 77 persons the family mutation was absent (mean age 37.1 ± 12.3 yr, 59.7% female). In this group a clinical diagnosis was definite, possible, and unlikely in 0, 35 (45.5%), and 42 (54.5%) persons, respectively. The positive predictive value of a definite clinical diagnosis was 100% (95% CI 97.8–100), the negative predictive value of an unlikely diagnosis 97.7% (95% CI 87.9–99.6). Of 52 patients with “possible” HHT, 17 (32.7%) displayed an HHT‐causing mutation. The Curaçao clinical criteria have a good diagnostic performance. Genetic testing is particularly helpful in patients with a “possible” clinical diagnosis HHT. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Alagille syndrome and Wilson disease in siblings: a diagnostic conundrum

The authors describe two siblings, each with a different, rare genetic condition that affects liver function. The index case, the 18-year-old asymptomatic brother of a young man recently diagnosed with Wilson disease, presented for Wilson disease screening and was also found to have abnormal liver function suggestive of cholestasis. However, ceruloplasmin level, 24 h urine copper concentration and liver synthetic function were normal. Further hepatic investigations and genetic mutation analysis were performed, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of Alagille syndrome. He was treated with ursodiol, which resulted in normalization of his liver function tests. Subsequently, he was found to be a carrier for a mutation in the Wilson disease gene, ATP7B. In the present report, the potential implications of being a heterozygote for Wilson disease in the context of Alagille syndrome are discussed. Also stressed is that care must be exercised by the clinician when diagnosing family members who may present with two different disorders closely mimicking one another.     

Gastric angiodysplasia in a hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 2 patient

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare autosomal-dominantly inherited disease that occurs in approximately one in 5000 to 8000 people. Clinical diagnosis of HHT is made when a person presents three of the following four criteria: family history, recurrent nosebleeds, mucocutaneous telangiectasis, and arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in the brain, lung, liver and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although epistaxis is the most common presenting symptom, AVMs affecting the lungs, brain and GI tract provoke a more serious outcome. Heterozygous mutations in endoglin, activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ACVRL1; ALK1), and SMAD4, the genes involved in the transforming growth factor-β family signaling cascade, cause HHT. We report here the case of a 63 year-old male patient who presented melena and GI bleeding episodes, proven to be caused by bleeding from multiple gastric angiodysplasia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed multiple angiodysplasia throughout the stomach. Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation was performed to control bleeding from a gastric angiodysplasia. The patient has been admitted several times with episodes of hemoptysis and hematochezia. One year ago, the patient was hospitalized due to right-sided weakness, which was caused by left basal ganglia hemorrhage as the part of HHT presentation. In family history, the patient's mother and elder sister had died, due to intracranial hemorrhage, and his eldest son has been suffered from recurrent epistaxis for 20 years. A genetic study revealed a mutation in exon 3 of ALK1 (c.199C > T; p.Arg67Trp) in the proband and his eldest son presenting epistaxis.     

脐带间充质干细胞在遗传性痉挛性截瘫中的应用

目的观察脐带间充质干细胞（UC-MSC）治疗遗传性痉挛性截瘫（HSP）的临床疗效及安全性。方法2010年9月及2011年4月,分别给予一HSP家系父子2人行UC-MSC鞘内注射治疗,两个疗程,每次1×106 cells/Kg,每周1次,4次为1个疗程。采用改良的Ashworth肌张力分级标准（MAS）、国际合作共济失调评分量表（ICARS）及日常生活量表（ADL）,对患者治疗前后神经功能、日常生活能力进行评定。结果第一疗程结束1个月与治疗前比较,2人MAS分级、ICARS及ADL评分均降低,两人行走站立稳定性及言语流利程度较治疗前改善;第二疗程结束后1个月与该疗程治疗前比较,2人ICARS及ADL评分降低,儿子肌张力进一步降低,父亲双上肢共济失调减轻。2人治疗后均未见明显不良反应发生。末次治疗结束后随访20个月,父、子俩分别于第二疗程治疗结束7个月及8个月后,症状继续加重。结论 UC-MSC鞘内注射治疗是安全的,可在一定时间内一定程度上减轻患者临床症状,提高患者生活质量,延缓疾病进展,但疗效不能持久。     

A retrospective study on oral anticoagulant prophylaxis in 103 Italian patients with hereditary thrombophilia and thrombosis

Summary The clinical records of 103 Italian patients with inherited thrombophilia and thrombosis were reviewed to estimate the incidence of thrombotic recurrences and major bleeding complications according to the different duration of oral anticoagulant prophylaxis (OAP). The incidence of the first thrombotic recurrence was 2.9, 7.4 and 10.8×100 patients/year, respectively, in subjects receiving lifelong OAP, stopping OAP after a mean of 9 months (range 1–30 months) or not receiving OAP. The probability to remain free from thrombotic recurrences in patients undergoing lifelong OAP, as estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, was significantly higher in comparison with untreated patients (p<0.001), but did not reach the statistical significance in comparison with patients who stopped prophylaxis. The incidence of further thrombotic recurrences was 1.2, 21.1 and 22.3×100 patients/year, respectively, in the three groups defined above. The difference between patients who prolonged indefinitely OAPvs those who stopped or did not receive OAP was statistically significant (p=0.003). Two intracranial bleedings, one of which fatal, were observed in patients undergoing lifelong OAP, whereas no major bleeding complications occurred in the other two groups. Our study supports the recommendations to continue indefinitely OAP in patients with inherited thrombophilia and recurrent thrombosis, but suggests caution in starting lifelong prophylaxis soon after the first thrombotic event in all patients. Members of the Study Group: F. Baudo (Milano); M. Berrettini (Perugia); G. Castaman (Vicenza); N. Ciavarella (Bari); S. Coccheri (Bologna); V. De Stefano (Roma); A. G. Dettori (Parma); N. Erba (Merate); G. Leone (Roma); P. M. Mannucci (Milano); C. Manotti (Parma); M. G. Mazzucconi (Roma); G. Palareti (Bologna); F. Panicucci (Pisa); E. Pogliani (Monza); F. Rodeghiero (Vicenza); A. Tripodi (Milano).     

Systematic review and Meta-analysis of treating open angle glaucoma with gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy

AIM: To describe the complex, overlapping phenotype of four Chinese patients with inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) who harbored two pathogenic genes simultaneously. METHODS: This retrospective study included 4 patients affected with IRDs. Medical and ophthalmic histories were obtained, and clinical examinations were performed. A specific Hereditary Eye Disease Enrichment Panel (HEDEP) based on exome capture technology was used for genetic screening. RESULTS: Four patients were identified to harbor disease-causing variants in two different genes. Patient RP01-II:1 exhibited both classical ABCA4-induced STGD1 and USH2A-associated RP, patient RP02-III:2 exhibited both classical ABCA4-induced STGD1 and CDH23-associated RP, patient RP03-II:1 exhibited both USH2A-induced arRP syndrome and SNRNP200-induced adRP, and patient RP04- II:2 exhibited USH2A-induced arRP syndrome and EYS-induced arRP at the same time. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that genotype–phenotype correlations and comprehensive genetic screening is crucial for diagnosing IRDs and helping family planning for patients suffering from the disease.     

成人遗传性纤维蛋白原缺乏症1例报道并文献复习

目的 探讨遗传性纤维蛋白原缺乏症的临床特点,以提高临床医师对该病的认识.方法 回顾性分析报道1例成人遗传性纤维蛋白原缺乏症临床诊疗经过,并对相关文献进行复习.结果 结合患者及其弟、其子血凝相关检查,诊断为遗传性纤维蛋白原缺乏症,予以冷沉淀输注后顺利手术,复习文献该病多于成年前出现出血表现而诊断.结论 遗传性纤维蛋白原缺乏症较少见,多于婴幼儿及儿童出现程度不同的出血表现,该病的诊断应强调详细的家族遗传史调查及出凝血实验室检查.活动性出血时或外科手术前应予以替代治疗.     

Clinical,electrophysiological and magnetic resonance findings in a family with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies caused by a novel PMP22 mutation

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is a disorder mainly caused by a 1.5-Mb deletion at 17p11.2-12 (and in some rare cases by point mutations) and clinically associated with recurrent painless palsies. Here, we performed electrophysiological (motor, sensory and terminal latency index), MRI and genetic studies in a family referred for ulnar neuropathy with pain.Surprisingly, we found typical neurophysiological features of HNPP (prolongation of distal motor latencies and diffuse SNCV slowing with significant slowing of motor nerve conduction velocities). Besides, the proband presented conduction block in left ulnar, left median and both peroneal nerves. MRI findings were consistent with an underlying neuropathy. Molecular studies identified a novel frameshift mutation in PMP22 confirming the diagnosis of HNPP.Our data suggest that neurophysiological studies are essential to characterize underdiagnosed HNPP patients referred for peripheral neuropathy. Our experience shows that MRI could be a complementary tool for the diagnosis of these patients.