Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome and intracranial vascular pathologies

A Case of Birt-Hogg-Dubé Syndrome and Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms

Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant condition that is associated with fibrofolliculomas, pulmonary cysts, renal cysts, and renal cancer. There have been few reports in the literature of intracranial vascular pathology in patients with BHD syndrome, and intracranial vascular pathology is currently not a part of the diagnostic criteria. Given the rarity of this disease, there has not been enough evidence for a definitive link between BHD syndrome and intracranial vascular abnormalities. We present a case of a patient with BHD syndrome and multiple cerebral aneurysms.

Genetically diagnosed Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome and familial cerebral cavernous malformations in the same individual: a case report

When faced with an unusual clinical feature in a patient with a Mendelian disorder, the clinician may entertain the possibilities of either the feature representing a novel manifestation of that disorder or the co-existence of a different inherited condition. Here we describe an individual with a submandibular oncocytoma, pulmonary bullae and renal cysts as well as multiple cerebral cavernous malformations and haemangiomas. Genetic investigations revealed constitutional mutations in FLCN, associated with Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome (BHD) and CCM2, associated with familial cerebral cavernous malformation. Intracranial vascular pathologies (but not cerebral cavernous malformation) have recently been described in a number of individuals with BHD (Kapoor et al. in Fam Cancer 14:595–597, 10.1007/s10689-015-9807-y, 2015) but it is not yet clear whether they represent a genuine part of that conditions’ phenotypic spectrum. We suggest that in such instances of potentially novel clinical features, more extensive genetic testing to consider co-existing conditions should be considered where available. The increased use of next generation sequencing applications in diagnostic settings is likely to lead more cases such as this being revealed.

Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome accompanied by pulmonary arteriovenous malformation

A 25-year-old male with Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome who developed hemothorax caused by ruptured of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation was reported. The patient was admitted to the hospital due to chest pain. A chest X-ray showed pleural fluid in his left lung, and a chest CT showed the presence of a tumor with enhanced contrast in the lower left lobe of approximately 5 cm in a diameter. Pleural fluid was collected by tap and indicated the presence of blood; therefore, hemothorax was suspected. Thoracoscopic surgery was performed to remove the mass for homostasis. Pathological findings indicated that the resected tumor-like lesion was an intrapulmonary hematoma, and aggregated vascular vessels of various diameters forming incomplete media elastic lamina was observed around the hematoma; therefore, it was diagnosed as pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. Family history of the patient indicated the presence of pneumothorax and malignant diseases, and the patient presented with papules and multiple pulmonary cysts. The genetic test revealed a deletion of exon 11 of the BHD gene; therefore, the patient was diagnosed with BHD syndrome. This report is the first to describe BHD syndrome accompanied by pulmonary arteriovenous malformation.