Sturge-Weber syndrome

Facial port-wine stains - clinical stratification and risks of neuro-ocular involvement

BACKGROUND

Port-wine stains are capillary malformations that commonly involve the skin of the head and neck region. They may affect the underlying subcutaneous tissue and bone, and extend on to adjacent mucous membrane and conjunctiva. Ipsilateral leptomeningeal and ocular choroidal involvement occurs in a small number of cases, with variable clinical manifestations.

AIM

To analyse a series of consecutive patients with facial port-wine stains referred to our Vascular Anomalies Centre to (1) stratify their clinical manifestations, and (2) identify the risks of neurological and/or ocular involvement according to topographic pattern.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with facial port-wine stains were taken from our Vascular Anomalies Database 1996-2006. Port-wine stains were topographically analysed and mapped to the sensory distribution of division(s) of the trigeminal nerve, cervical plexus, and dorsal rami of the spinal nerves.

RESULTS

158 patients were identified. Many of these patients had extension of their facial port-wine stains or additional separate port-wine stains on their scalp, neck, trunk or limbs. Involvement of adjacent mucosa, conjunctiva, underlying soft tissue and bone was common. Fifteen patients had associated neurological and/or ocular complications. All had port-wine stains in V1 distribution. Additional involvement of V2 and/or V3, and bilaterality were common. Seven of the nine patients (78%) with port-wine stains affecting the entire V1 had neurological and/or ocular involvement. The risk of associated neurological and/or ocular disorder in a patient with partial or full V1 involvement was 26%, glaucoma and epilepsy being the most common manifestations.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical stratification of facial port-wine stains provides a guide to patient counselling and therapeutic interventions. Port-wine stains affecting the entire V1 distribution predict strongly for underlying neurological and/or ocular disorders that require on-going ophthalmological surveillance and/or neurological management. Although the classical Sturge-Weber syndrome encompasses a triad of clinical manifestations, incomplete forms are not uncommon. This neuro-oculo-cutaneous syndrome is believed to be a result of vascular malformations of associated structures derived from the neuroectoderm (facial skin, eye, and parieto-occipital region of the brain and leptomeninges) during the first trimester. However, the pathogenesis of port-wine stains and Sturge-Weber syndrome remains unclear.

Segmental Neurovascular Syndromes in Children

The concept of segmental vascular syndromes with different, seemingly unrelated, diseases is based on the embryology of the neural crest and the mesoderm migration of cells that share the same metameric origin. Migrating patterns of these cells link the brain, the cranial bones, and the face on the same side. A somatic mutation developing in the region of the neural crest or the adjacent cephalic mesoderm before migration can, therefore, be postulated to produce arterial or venous metameric syndromes, including PHACES, CAMS, Cobb syndrome, and Sturge-Weber syndrome. Although these diseases may be rare, their relationships among each other and their postulated linkage with the development of the neural crest and the cephalic mesoderm may shed light on the complex pathology and etiology of various cerebral vascular disorders.

Ocular vascular hamartomas: the relationship with phakomatoses and possible commonalities in pathogenesis

BACKGROUND

Ocular vascular hamartomas may present as isolated lesions or as part of a multisystemic congenital syndrome known as vascular phakomatoses. These syndromes are characterized by ocular, cerebral, and cutaneous lesions. Although each of these lesions manifests distinct characteristics, there may be overlapping characteristics and manifestations attributable to a common pathogenesis.

METHODS

A case series and a literature review are presented illustrating ocular and systemic manifestations associated with vascular hamartomas, with each case representing varying degrees of ocular and systemic expression.

CONCLUSION

Because of the potential ocular morbidity and systemic mortality associated with vascular hamartomas and associated syndromes, the optometrist plays an important role in the management of these patients. In general, understanding the pathogenesis of these diseases may contribute to future treatment and prevention opportunities.