Evaluation and management of pain in patients with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: a review

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare disorder that consists of a triad of capillary vascular malformation, venous malformations and/or varicose veins, and soft tissue and/or bony hypertrophy. Pain is a real and debilitating problem in these patients. We have observed 9 common causes of pain in KTS: (1) chronic venous insufficiency, (2) cellulitis, (3) superficial thrombophlebitis, (4) deep vein thrombosis, (5) calcification of vascular malformations, (6) growing pains, (7) intraosseous vascular malformation, (8) arthritis, and (9) neuropathic pain. The management of pain in patients with KTS depends on its cause. These patients are best evaluated initially in a center with an experienced multidisciplinary team that includes a primary health care provider, surgeons, and ancillary staff. The ongoing care of a patient with KTS often depends on a local provider who is more readily accessible to the patient but may not have the expertise of a large center to manage the complications of KTS. The purpose of this communication is to review the common causes of pain in these patients to provide local health care providers and patients and their families with appropriate management strategies.

[Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome]

The author in connection with three properly observed female patients summarizes the clinical entity of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, its partly resembling partly dissociating features facing to other vascular congenital anomalies, and the most important aspects of vasculogenesis. Based on the observation, attention is distinctly called on the first case in whom the Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome presenting with multiple mesenchymal anomalies was associated with selective congenital IgA deficiency. The second was the daughter of this first patient, who also had the syndrome and a selective congenital IgA deficiency. The other daughter of the patient was free from both of the pathological conditions. The third case represented the features of the typical syndrome without verified immunodeficiency. The literary data do not speak about possible correlations between Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome and immunodeficiencies. The pathogenesis of the process and of its possible connections with immunodeficiencies remain to be investigated.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome with involvement of coecum and rectum: a rare cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a congenital malformation usually presenting limb asymmetry, abnormal development of the deep and superficial veins, and cutaneous capillary malformations. We describe the case of a 56-year-old male KTS patient who suffered from recurrent but life non-threatening lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Colonoscopy revealed multiple extensive cavernous hemangiomas in the coecum and the ascending colon as well as the sigmoid colon and the rectum. MR imaging showed numerous dilated vessels within the left gluteal and inguinal region. The mucosal and the submucosal layers particularly of the sigmoid colon and rectum appeared markedly broadened and displayed high signal intensities in the STIR sequences. Due to only moderate oozing at time of admission the patient was treated with oral iron supplementation so far.

Vascular anomalies and the growth of limbs: a review

Growth of the limb in a child can be impaired, with the coexistence of a vascular malformation. In these vascular bone syndromes, altered growth is manifest as overgrowth or hypotrophy. The vascular malformation is usually complex and gets progressively worse with time. The two types of vascular anomalies in limbs, fast-flow and slow-flow, can be associated with limb length discrepancies. The fast-flow vascular malformations together with arteriovenous fistulae are part of Parkes Weber syndrome, characterized by congenital red cutaneous staining, hypertrophy in girth and increasing of limb length, lymphedema, increasing skin alterations due to a distal vascular steal, and pain, all of which develop during childhood. Treatment is generally conservative. An affected lower extremity can be complicated by pelvic tilting and scoliosis because leg length discrepancy may reach 10 cm. To avoid such a course, stapling epiphysiodesis of the knee cartilages is often performed, but this orthopedic procedure may augment the worsening of the arterial venous malformation in the limb. Therefore, less aggressive orthopedic management is preferable. Slow-flow vascular anomalies associated with limb growth alteration include (1) a diffuse capillary malformation (port-wine stain) with congenital hypertrophy of the involved extremity which is non-progressive; (2) purely venous malformations invading skin, muscles and joints, with pain, functional impairment, a chronic localized intravascular coagulopathy requiring distinctive management, and usually a slight undergrowth of the affected extremity and progressing amyotrophy; (3) the triad of a port-wine stain, anomalous veins and overgrowth of the limb, often known as Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, which requires orthopedic management to decide the optimal timing for epiphysiodesis (i.e. when leg length discrepancy is >2.5 cm). Varicose veins are sometimes surgically removed after ultrasonographic and Doppler evaluation has confirmed a normal deep venous system. Capillary malformations can be effectively treated with pulsed dye laser, but results are usually poor in distal extremities.

Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome: The importance of “geographic stains” in identifying lymphatic disease and risk of complications

BACKGROUND

Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare congenital anomaly classically defined as the triad of vascular stain, soft tissue and/or bony hypertrophy, and venous varicosities.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the morphologic characteristics of the associated vascular stains in KTS are predictive of the presence of lymphatic involvement and/or complications.

SETTING

Outpatient dermatology practice, tertiary care medical center.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all cases of KTS identified between January 1989 and September 2001 at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Dermatology. Forty patients were identified. We further classified them by type of cutaneous vascular stain, either "geographic" or "blotchy/segmental." Patients were further classified as having definite, probable, possible, or no evidence of lymphatic disease. We also reviewed the charts for other possibly associated manifestations and complications of KTS.

RESULTS

Of those with sharply demarcated geographic stains (n=22), 21 had definite or probable evidence of lymphatic disease. Of those with blotchy port-wine stains (n=17), 16 had possible or no evidence of lymphatic disease (P <.001). Determination of the type of stain had 95% sensitivity and 94% specificity in differentiating the definite or probable presence of definite or probable lymphatic disease from possible or no evidence of lymphatic disease. Complications occurred in 19 (86%) of 22 patients with a geographic stain vs 7 of 17 (41%) with a blotchy/segmental stain (P <.003).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the presence of a geographic vascular stain is a predictor of the risk of both associated lymphatic malformation and complications in patients with KTS. Since these stains are present at birth, this clinical observation can help in identifying individuals with KTS at greatest risk for complications and in need of closer observation.

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome with labyrinthine bony overgrowth and mixed hearing loss, a case report

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a congenital disorder characterized by a triad of (1) capillary malformations, (2) venous malformations, and (3) soft tissue or bony hypertrophy. There exists one report of a patient with KTS and an associated sensorineural hearing loss. We describe an adolescent girl with KTS and AV fistulas who was found to have a bony overgrowth extending from the cochlea into the middle ear cavity and an ipsilateral mixed hearing loss. In both of these patients, there were obvious KTS deformities involving the face. We suggest conducting hearing screening in patients with KTS and obvious head involvement.

Surgical eradication of esophageal carcinoma in a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare congenital vascular disease of unknown etiology, and its occurrence with malignant tumor is extremely rare. We herein report a case of KTS presenting chronic gastrointestinal bleeding and complicating with adenosquamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) of the esophagus. The therapeutic dilemma of managing ASCC of the esophagus in a patient who combined with the rare congenital syndrome posed a difficult and interesting clinical problem. However, ASCC is also a very rare histological tumor in the esophagus, and its relationship to KTS has never been reported. In this article, we reviewed all the reported malignancies related to KTS. The possible surgical risks and complications, as well as preoperative imaging investigation, are also discussed.

Klippel-Trenauney-Weber syndrome associated with hemoptysis

We report a case of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome presenting with hemoptysis.

Wilms tumor screening is unnecessary in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome

BACKGROUND

Children with hemihypertrophy are screened for Wilms tumor, because this condition is a risk factor for developing the neoplasm. Patients with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) are often considered potential candidates for Wilms tumor, because they have unilateral overgrowth of the lower limb. In our experience, however, an association between KTS and Wilms tumor has not been observed.

METHODS

To determine whether KTS and Wilms tumor are associated, we reviewed our institutional experience for patients with both diagnoses and searched the Klippel-Trenaunay literature for patients with Wilms tumor. The National Wilms Tumor Study Group database also was studied to identify patients with KTS. Two-sided exact binomial tests were used to evaluate whether patients with 1 condition had an increased risk for the other. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals for these 2 risks were compared with the general population risks of Wilms tumor (1 in 10 000) and KTS (1 in 47 313).

RESULTS

None of the 115 patients with KTS followed at our institution developed Wilms tumor. One case of Wilms tumor has been reported in 1363 patients with KTS in the literature, giving a confidence interval of (1/57 377) and (1/267). None of the 8614 patients in the National Wilms Tumor Study Group database had KTS, giving a confidence interval of (0, 1/2336). Because the risks of KTS and Wilms tumor in the population fall within these confidence intervals, one cannot conclude that the risks of KTS among Wilms tumor patients or Wilms tumor among KTS patients are any different from the corresponding risks in the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with KTS are not at increased risk for developing Wilms tumor and thus should not undergo routine ultrasonographic screening.

[A case of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome presenting with esophageal and gastric varices bleeding]

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome is a congenital vascular disorder consisted of a variety of vascular malformations, enlargement of the involved limb, and varicose veins. We report a case of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome presenting portal hypertension and varices bleeding caused by hypoplasia of the portal vein. Portal hypertension was caused by portal vein hypoplasia associated with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome. There were three episodes of variceal bleeding, and hemostasis were achieved by endoscopic band ligation, Sugiura operation, and splenic artery embolization respectively. Although successful hemostasis was achieved, an additional procedures to reduce portal hypertension were needed to prevent repeated episodes of variceal bleeding.

['Palm reading' as a diagnostic aid]

In four patients, a man aged 53, a woman aged 63 and two men aged 67 and 53 years, respectively, inspection of the hand led to the final diagnosis. In the first patient who presented with clubbing of the fingers and pulmonary hypertension, a small atrial septal defect was detected. The second patient had thick curved yellow nails and recurrent pleural effusions as part of this yellow nail syndrome. The third patient presented with clubbing and hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, a secondary complaint to adenocarcinoma of the lung. The fourth patient had increasing pulmonary hypertension as a secondary complaint to recurrent multiple pulmonary embolism from deep venous malformations of his right hand, arm and shoulder as a part of the Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. These cases show that inspection of the hand may give a clue to the diagnosis.

Charcot osteoarthropathy in a case of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome

A case of a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTW) with Charcot osteoarthropathy is presented. A medline literature review was performed using the words Klippel-Trenaunay, orthopaedic, ankle, foot, and Charcot joint. Seven articles reported orthopaedic manifestations of KTW. They included limb hypertrophy and atrophy, limb-length discrepancies, digital anomalies, ulcerations, and spine and hip abnormalities, but no mention of Charcot osteoarthropathy. After many years of chronic nonhealing ulcers and repeated incision and drainage procedures the patient developed Charcot osteoarthropathy of the ankle without evidence of osteomyelitis or peripheral neuropathy but with severe deformity that required transtibial amputation.

[Two unusual complications of the Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome: carpal tunnel syndrome and cerebral venous thrombosis]

Most neurological complications of the Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome are due to the presence of cerebral or spinal arteriovenous malformations and their consequences. We report 2 cases of unusual complications of this syndrome. In the first case, where the anomalies were restricted to the left upper extremity, the occurrence of hand numbness led to the discovery of a carpal tunnel syndrome, probably due to the lymphatic abnormal proliferation within the carpal tunnel. In the second case the disease was much more widespread and affecting, among other localizations, the cephalic extremity. The patient presented with intractable left motor seizures that appeared to be due to an occlusion of the right transverse and sigmoid sinuses. Treatment with heparin and anticonvulsants led to rapid recovery.

Relief of Iliofemoral Vein Occlusion with the Palma Bypass in a Patient with Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome

Klippel Trenaunay syndrome is usually managed conservatively with surgery reserved for patients with symptomatic but mild cosmetic deformity or persistent venous hypertension despite nonoperative measures. Deep venous reconstruction is necessary in a small group of patients who present with significant chronic venous insufficiency due to hypoplastic, absent, or occluded deep venous outflow. Most often, venous outflow occlusion results from inadequate or surgically removed superficial collateral veins or from complications of endovascular procedures. In this article, we review the English-language literature and the Mayo Clinic experience, and report on a patient with Klippel Trenaunay syndrome who developed symptomatic iliofemoral venous occlusion following iliac vein stenting, which was successfully treated with a crossover saphenofemoral vein (Palma) bypass.

Communicating oesophageal duplication: a case report

Duplications of the oesophagus are rare congenital abnormalities and rarely communicate with the oesophageal lumen. They are commonly associated with other congenital malformations, such as spinal deformities, congenital heart disease, vertebral anomalies, malrotation of the bowel, Meckel's diverticulum. During a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, performed because of a neurological dysphagia, the endoscopy revealed a very rare case of a 26-year old man affected by Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, with an asymptomatic oesophageal duplication that communicated proximally and distally.

Synovial involvement in hemangiomatosis

BACKGROUND

Angiodysplastic lesions of the extremities are very often of great interest for the orthopedist, involving not only bones with length discrepancy, but also joints with hemarthrosis and synovial hypertrophy.

METHODS

We describe 4 patients with cutaneous hemangiomatosis in the lower limb and a concomitant knee arthropathy. Like in other arthropathies, the articular damage is rapidly invasive and leads to progressive damage in the joint if not adequately diagnosed and treated. We treated the 4 patients at different ages, corresponding to different stages of intra-articular involvement. The preoperative management included MRI and diagnostic arthroscopy. All patients underwent an open synovectomy. All our patients were reviewed at a clinical and radiographic follow-up after 10 years.

RESULTS

In all patients, the range of motion was improved or at least not worsened after surgery, in spite of a larger extent of cutaneous lesions. X-ray and MRI confirmed clinical data showing no recurrence of the lesion inside the joint and no progression of the articular damage.

CONCLUSION

The clinical outcomes were very good or good in the patients treated early, poorer in the patient operated on at an adult age. The importance of an early and precise diagnosis and of an accurate preoperative planning must be underlined.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome with a life-threatening thromboembolic event

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is a congenital disorder characterised by the triad of cutaneous vascular nevi, soft tissue or bony hypertrophy, and varicose veins or venous malformations involving one or more extremities. An incidence of venous thromboembolism of up to 22% has been reported in this disorder. Also reported but rare is the development of trophic changes. Herein, we report the case of a male with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, deep vein thrombosis, venous ulceration, and death due to recurrent pulmonary embolism.

Mediastinal cavernous haemangioma in a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome

The Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare syndrome characterised by the triad of varicose veins, bony and soft tissue hypertrophy, and cutaneous haemangioma. A 30 year old man with KTS with a right mediastinal mass which progressively enlarged over 5 years is described. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and bronchial angiography revealed a vascular lesion in the azygous area. After complete excision of the mass, histological examination revealed cavernous haemangioma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of intrathoracic haemangioma in KTS.