Multiple cerebral and spinal cord cavernomas in Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome

Spinal Neurovascular Malformations in Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome: A Single Center Study

BACKGROUND

A number of studies have demonstrated spinal anomalies associated with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS). To date, there are no large consecutive series examining the prevalence and subtype distribution of spinal neurovascular malformations in patients with KTS.

OBJECTIVE

To report the spectrum and incidence of spinal neurovascular manifestations in the KTS population.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. Consecutive patients with definite KTS as defined by International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies criteria who underwent spinal neuroimaging at our institution were included. All studies were evaluated by a staff neuroradiologist and a senior radiology resident for the presence of developmental venous anomalies, cavernous malformations (CMs), and arteriovenous shunts (AVS).

RESULTS

A total of 116 patients with definite KTS who underwent spinal neuroimaging were included. A total of 23 neurovascular anomalies were found in 19 patients (16.4%), including 4 patients with multiple anomalies. These included 5 patients with spinal cord CMs (4.3%), 14 patients with a paraspinal or epidural venous malformation (12.1%), and 4 patients with an AVS (3.4%). Of the AVS, 3 were epidural arteriovenous fistulas, 1 of which likely formed de novo in an epidural venous malformation. One was a conus medullaris arteriovenous malformation.

CONCLUSION

Our study cohort of 116 KTS patients demonstrated a wide spectrum of spinal neurovascular anomalies with a relatively high prevalence. Potential phenotypic descriptions of KTS should include the possibility for spinal neurovascular anomalies.

Diagnostic Approach to Macrocephaly in Children

Macrocephaly affects up to 5% of the pediatric population and is defined as an abnormally large head with an occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) >2 standard deviations (SD) above the mean for a given age and sex. Taking into account that about 2-3% of the healthy population has an OFC between 2 and 3 SD, macrocephaly is considered as "clinically relevant" when OFC is above 3 SD. This implies the urgent need for a diagnostic workflow to use in the clinical setting to dissect the several causes of increased OFC, from the benign form of familial macrocephaly and the Benign enlargement of subarachnoid spaces (BESS) to many pathological conditions, including genetic disorders. Moreover, macrocephaly should be differentiated by megalencephaly (MEG), which refers exclusively to brain overgrowth, exceeding twice the SD (3SD-"clinically relevant" megalencephaly). While macrocephaly can be isolated and benign or may be the first indication of an underlying congenital, genetic, or acquired disorder, megalencephaly is most likely due to a genetic cause. Apart from the head size evaluation, a detailed family and personal history, neuroimaging, and a careful clinical evaluation are crucial to reach the correct diagnosis. In this review, we seek to underline the clinical aspects of macrocephaly and megalencephaly, emphasizing the main differential diagnosis with a major focus on common genetic disorders. We thus provide a clinico-radiological algorithm to guide pediatricians in the assessment of children with macrocephaly.

Intracranial and extracranial vascular manifestations of patients with a clinical diagnosis of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

While numerous reports have demonstrated intracranial CNS anomalies associated with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, to our knowledge, there has not been a large consecutive study examining these anomalies. The aim of this study was to determine the spectrum of intracranial neurovascular manifestations in patients with a clinical diagnosis of Klippel-Tranaunay syndrome.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, as defined by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies, who underwent brain contrast-enhanced CT/computed tomography angiography, MRI/magnetic resonance angiography, or digital subtraction angiography at our institution from 2000 to 2019 were included. Studies were evaluated by a neuroradiologist and a senior radiology resident for the presence of cavernous malformations, developmental venous anomalies, venous sinus developmental abnormalities, craniofacial venous malformations, intraosseous venous malformations, and intracranial/extracranial venous abnormalities.

RESULTS

Fifty patients with definite KTS were included. Thirty-four neurovascular anomalies were found in 17 patients (34.0%), including 8 with multiple anomalies. Nine patients had developmental venous anomalies (18.0%), 7 had craniofacial venous malformations (14.0), 6 had venous sinus developmental abnormalities (12.0%), 7 had intraosseous venous malformations (14.0%), and 2 had cavernous malformations (4.0%), and 9 patients had both intracranial venous abnormalities and craniofacial or calvarial findings (13.0%).

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome can involve a wide spectrum of intracranial neurovascular anomalies predominantly involving the venous system.

Role of RASA1 in cancer: A review and update (Review)

Ras p21 protein activator 1 (RASA1) is a regulator of Ras GDP and GTP and is involved in numerous physiological processes such as angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. As a result, RASA1 also contributes to pathological processes in vascular diseases and tumour formation. This review focuses on the role of RASA1 in multiple tumours types in the lung, intestines, liver, and breast. Furthermore, we discuss the potential mechanisms of RASA1 and its downstream effects through Ras/RAF/MEK/ERK or Ras/PI3K/AKT signalling. Moreover, miRNAs are capable of regulating RASA1 and could be a novel targeted treatment strategy for tumours.

Periosteal new bone formation in Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND

Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome (KTS) is a complex congenital vascular disorder, typically accompanied by port-wine stains, varicose veins, and limb hypertrophy. This paper reports a rare and unusual clinical condition of periosteal reaction in a pediatric case of KTS. Although periosteal new bone formation is not rare in children, as is KTS, their dual occurrence or the presentation of the former due to KTS has not been previously documented. Our objective in this study is to highlight the potential association between periosteal new bone formation and KTS, as well as to help physicians consider this association when bone neoplasm has been ruled out.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 7-year old girl, initially presented with a persistent mild swelling in her left shank, with no abnormalities in the X-ray of the tibiofibular. However, after a few consults and examinations, 7 weeks later, a 17 cm-long periosteal new bone formation along the left tibia and diffused dilated vessels in the left shank were revealed by the radiological examination. Not knowing the true nature of the fast-growing lesion in a typical case of KTS was worrying. Therefore, a core needle biopsy was performed. The test demonstrated a possible parosteal hemangioma. Following further investigation through an excisional biopsy, and a pathological analysis, hyperplasia of the bone tissues with no tumor cells was revealed. Thereafter, an elastic stocking treatment was prescribed. During the first two-year follow-up, recurrence of the mass or sign of progression of KTS was not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Periosteal new bone formation is a potential manifestation of KTS. Based on the conclusive pathological results of the excisional biopsy, invasive examinations and surgeries could be avoided in future KTS-subperiosteal lesion manifestations.

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome Associated with Multiple Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: Usefulness of Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery in This Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) is characterized by the presence of a combined vascular malformation of capillaries, veins, and lymphatic vessels; congenital venous abnormalities; and limb hypertrophy. Its association with neurovascular abnormalities is infrequent, and the presence of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is extremely rare.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report a case of a 48-year-old male diagnosed with KTWS who spontaneously presented with a cerebral hemorrhage. Computed tomography scan and angio-computed tomography studies revealed bleeding associated with AVM rupture. In the conventional arteriography study, 10 small (<1 cm) AVMs were observed. The patient presented a good clinical recovery. These multiple small lesions were not considered susceptible to surgical or endovascular treatments. Therefore all lesions were treated with Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery since it attains the highest dose drop and minimal irradiation of the healthy parenchyma. One year after the treatment, the lesions have shrunk.

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebral AVMs are extremely rare in KTWS cases; however, their presence can have serious consequences if they are treated. We find it advisable to include brain imaging tests, such as nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, to diagnose and monitor KTWS. Furthermore, a Gamma Knife may be useful when multiple AVMs are present.

Long-Term Management and Maxillofacial Growth in a Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome Patient

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a congenital disorder associated with capillary, venous, lymphatic vascular malformations, and unilateral hypertrophy of the soft tissue and bone. We report a case of a 5-year-old girl with KTS who was followed up until age 17. The asymmetry of her maxillary dentition became remarkable with growth, although no significant left-right difference in either the maxilla or mandible was recognized. Acceptable occlusion was achieved without fixed orthodontic appliances; however, it was necessary to develop treatment plans in accordance with the general symptoms of the disease.

Cerebral Cavernous Angioma Associated with Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome Treated with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: Case Report and Literature Review

Klippel Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare, sporadic congenital syndrome characterized by cutaneous hemangiomas, venous varicosities, and osseous-soft tissue hypertrophy of the affected limb. It is genetically heterogeneous, and its clinical presentation is variable.

We report the case of a 13-year-old male with KTS, who presented with a cerebral cavernous angioma in the corpus callosum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of its kind from Pakistan and the only known case in the literature of KTS to be treated with stereotactic radiosurgery.

The possibilities of shared genetic pathways between KTS and cavernous angiomas and the need for neurovascular scrutiny in patients with this syndrome are discussed.

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome with Atypical Presentation of Cerebral Cavernous Angioma: A Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) is a rare syndrome characterized by the triad of cutaneous hemangiomas, venous varicosities, and osseous-soft tissue hypertrophy of the affected limb. Clinical manifestations, genetic testing, and radiologic imaging are the key steps in diagnosing this syndrome.

CASE DESCRIPTION

An 18-month-old boy was brought for follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a history of right lower limb hypertrophy, cutaneous varicosities, and hemangiomas diagnosed at birth. A baseline MRI at 12 months revealed multiple hemorrhagic lesions within the cerebrum, the largest in the right temporal lobe, which was treated surgically at the age of 18 months because of its rapid growth. This is the youngest patient with KTWS treated surgically for intracranial hemangiomas.

CONCLUSION

KTWS is a rare disease with a wide range of manifestations. Multisystemic evaluation of this group of patients should be performed to identify cavernous hemangiomas at the early stage of life and adequately treat them in the future. Treatment of KTWS patients with cavernous hemangiomas should not be different from the treatment of patients with any other hemangiomas, and surgical intervention should be considered on a case-to-case bases.

Cerebral and spinal cavernomas associated with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: case report and literature review

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) involves a triad of conditions, including cutaneous hemangiomas, venous varicosities, and osseous and soft-tissue hypertrophy of the affected limb. We describe a rare case of multiple cavernomas in the central nervous system in a patient with KTWS. A-64-year-old man with KTWS and a previous brain hemorrhage presented with sudden onset of gait and vesicorectal disturbance. The magnetic resonance imaging scan showed a cavernoma associated with hemorrhage in his lumbosacral spinal cord. Moreover, numerous cavernomas were identified in his brain. He was treated conservatively with no adverse events. Gait disturbance improved, but vesicorectal disturbance did not improve.

Spinal Cavernous Angioma Associated with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) is a rare congenital vascular disorder characterized by the classic triad of cutaneous nevi, venous varicosities, and osseous and soft tissue hypertrophy of the affected limb. Various vascular anomalies of the central nervous system have also been described in patients with KTWS. The English language literature to date contains 6 reports of associations between KTWS and spinal cord cavernous angioma (CA), but management of these patients has not been well described.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 23-year-old woman was admitted to our institution with acute onset of leg weakness accompanied by upper back pain. Thoracic magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord showed a heterogeneous mass with a slit component at the T1-2 level. The patient underwent left hemilaminectomy followed by removal of the tumor, and her neurologic symptoms improved postoperatively. Pathologic examination showed the spinal lesion was characterized by hemosiderin deposition and thin-walled vascular channels surrounded by fibrous tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report to provide a detailed pathologic description of the features of spinal CA in a patient with KTWS. Assessment of the clinical features and management of CA associated with KTWS are discussed. This syndrome is rare, and further experience in the treatment of these patients is needed. However, considering that the pathologic findings of spinal CA in patients with KTWS include the typical features of CA, the management of CA in patients with KTWS may be identical to management of isolated CA.

Hereditary Multiple Cerebral Cavernous Malformations Associated with Wilson Disease and Multiple Lipomatosis

We report on a patient with 2 Mendelian diseases-symptomatic multiple familial cerebral cavernous malformations (FCCMs) and Wilson disease. Genetic analysis revealed single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes CCM2 and CCM3, associated with cavernous malformations, and homozygote mutation in the ATP7B gene, responsible for Wilson disease. FCCMs were symptomatic in 3 generations. The patient also had multiple lipomatosis, which is suggested to be a familial syndrome. In recent years there has been an increasing amount of publications linking FCCMs with other pathology, predominantly with extracranial and intracranial mesenchymal anomalies. The present study is the description of an unusual association between 2 independent hereditary diseases of confirmed genetic origin-a combination that has not been described previously.

Klippel-Trénaunay-Weber syndrome associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm in childhood

Klippel-Trénaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS), also known as angioosteohypertrophy syndrome, is a rare congenital malformation with unknown etiology characterized by the combination of capillary malformations (port-wine strain), venous varicosities, and a soft tissue or bony hypertrophy of the affected limb. It is known to be rarely associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in adults. We report the first published case of KTWS and a rapidly progressing symptomatic AAA undergoing open repair in a child. This underlines the importance of AAA screening and treatment rather than surveillance in patients with KTWS.

Glioblastoma multiforme in Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome: a case report

Introduction

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) is a rare syndrome in which patients usually present with cutaneous hemangiomas, venous varicosities, and bone and soft tissue hypertrophy of the affected limb. Intracranial lesions in patients with KTWS are extremely rare, and are generally reported as single cases in the literature. We describe a rare case, where a patient with KTWS was found with a hemorrhagic grade IV astrocytoma. Although central nervous system abnormalities such as intracranial aneurysms and cerebral and spinal cord cavernomas have been described in patients with KTWS, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between glioblastoma multiforme (grade IV astrocytoma) and KTWS in the English-language medical literature.

Case presentation

A 61-year-old white Caucasian man with a history of KTWS presented with seizures. Left upper and lower extremity hypertrophy, left foot, leg and ear gigantism and left-sided abdominal capillary hemangiomas were noted in the physical examination. Cranial computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were obtained, showing a heterogeneous lesion in the cingulate gyrus, with peripheral and central areas of T1 hyperintensity and layering T2 hypointensity consistent with a hemorrhage. A right parasagittal frontal craniotomy was performed with an interhemispheric approach. We had difficulty controlling the bleeding with bipolar electrocautery during surgery and finally were able to stop the bleeding using surgicel and gelfoam. Postoperative cranial CT and MRI scans showed intraparenchymal hemorrhage centered within the medial right frontal lobe. There was no increase in hematoma size in consecutive CT scans.

Conclusions

Co-occurrence of vascular abnormalities with KWTS should be taken into consideration to avoid perilous preoperative and postoperative complications.

Co-occurrence of a cerebral cavernous malformation and an orbital cavernous hemangioma in a patient with seizures and visual symptoms: Rare crossroads for vascular malformations

Background:

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are angiographically occult vascular malformations of the central nervous system. As a result of hemorrhage and mass effect, patients may present with focal neurologic deficits, seizures, and other symptoms necessitating treatment. Once symptomatic, most often from hemorrhage, CCMs are treated with microsurgical resection. Orbital cavernous hemangiomas (OCHs) are similar but distinct vascular malformations that present within the orbital cavity. Even though CCMs and OCHs are both marked by dilated endothelial-lined vascular channels, they are infrequently seen in the same patient.

Case Description:

We provide a brief overview of the two related pathologies in the context of a patient presenting to our care with concomitant lesions, which were both resected in full without complication.

Conclusion:

This is the first known report that describes a case of concomitant CCM and OCH and explores the origins of two pathologies that are rarely encountered together in neurosurgical practice. Recognition of disparate symptomatologies is important for properly managing these patients.

Neurodermatology

Since the skin and the central and/or peripheral nervous system share a common source (the ectoderm), numerous genetic and acquired diseases (infectious, tumoral or autoimmune disorders) equally affect both. Neurologic diseases or symptoms such as stroke, cerebral or medullary vascular malformations, peripheral, brain or medullary tumors, epilepsy, ataxia, neurologic infections, or cognitive disorders (dementia, mental retardation) may be associated with specific cutaneous manifestations of which the discovery can facilitate the final diagnosis, thereby leading to specific treatment and/or genetic investigations. Careful examination of the skin, hair, and nails by the neurologist is consequently of the utmost importance; when unusual abnormalities of the skin are discovered or when greater expertise is required, consultation with a dermatologist is frequently advisable.