Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome complicated by ascites and vaginal lymphatic drainage in adolescence: a case report

Value of the short time inversion recovery sequence of magnetic resonance imaging in the staging of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome complicated with lymphedema

OBJECTIVE

Currently, the focus on limb lymphedema (LE) is on classification and staging. However, few scholars have conducted staging for Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome complicated LE (KTS-LE). This study aimed to investigate the value of the short time inversion recovery sequence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the staging of KTS-LE.

METHODS

Forty-six patients who were diagnosed with KTS-LE were recruited for this retrospective study from July 2011 to November 2022. Referring to the clinical staging standard of lower extremity LE of the International Society of Lymphology in 2020, all patients were divided into three groups: stages I, II, and III. The MRI indicators of the three groups were recorded and statistically compared: LE range (unilateral bilateral, lower limbs, only thighs, only calves and ankles), abnormal parts (skin thickening, abnormal subcutaneous fat signal, abnormal muscle signal, muscle hypertrophy or contraction, abnormal bone signal, hyperostosis), and subcutaneous soft tissue signs (parallel line sign, grid sign, band sign, honeycomb sign, lymph lake sign, crescent sign, and nebula sign).

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the honeycomb sign among the three periods (P = .028). There was a significant difference between stage II and stage I disease (P < .05). There was a significant difference between stage II and stage III disease (P < .05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the honeycomb sign in diagnosing KTS-LE of stage II were 87.5%, 63.2%, 33.3%, 96.0%, and 67.4%, respectively. In contrast, the other signs were not statistically significant among the three periods.

CONCLUSIONS

The short time inversion recovery sequence of MRI is of great value in KTS-LE. The honeycomb sign is an important imaging indicator for the diagnosis of stage II disease. It is necessary to evaluate the severity of edema with MRI for KTS-LE, which is very important for therapeutic options.

Multiple Lymphaticovenular Anastomoses for Chyluria in Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is characterized by port-wine stains, mixed vascular malformations, and soft tissue and bone hypertrophy. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is occasionally complicated by chyluria, for which there is no effective treatment currently. We report a case of KTS complicated by intractable chyluria and hematuria due to a lymphatic-ureteral fistula. The patient was successfully treated with multiple lymphaticovenular anastomoses (LVAs).A 66-year-old woman with an enlarged left lower extremity since childhood was diagnosed with KTS. At 60 years of age, she developed chyluria (urine albumin, 2224 μg/mL) and hematuria. Lymphoscintigraphy showed a lymphatic-ureteral fistula near the ureterovesical junction. Conservative treatment was ineffective. She also developed left lower extremity lymphedema, which gradually worsened. Leg cellulitis and purulent pericarditis developed because of hypoalbuminemia (minimum serum albumin level, 1.3 g/dL).We performed 14 LVAs in 2 surgeries to reduce lymphatic fluid flow through the lymphatic-ureteral fistula. The chyluria and hematuria resolved soon after the second operation, and the urine albumin level decreased (3 μg/mL). After 28 months, she had no chyluria or hematuria recurrence and her serum albumin level improved (3.9 g/dL). Multiple LVAs can definitively treat chyluria caused by a lymphatic-ureteral fistula in patients with KTS.

Review article: the diagnostic approach and current management of chylous ascites

BACKGROUND

Chylous ascites is rare, accounting for less than 1% of cases. An appropriate and stepwise approach to its diagnosis and management is of key importance.

AIM

To review the current diagnostic approach and management of chylous ascites.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using PubMed using the key words 'chylous', 'ascites', 'cirrhosis', 'pathophysiology', 'nutritional therapy', 'paracentesis", "transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt" and "TIPSS'. Only articles in English were included.

RESULTS

Chylous ascites is caused by the traumatic or obstructive disruption of the lymphatic system that leads to extravasation of thoracic or intestinal lymph into the abdominal space and the accumulation of a milky fluid rich in triglycerides. The most common causes are malignancy, cirrhosis and trauma after abdominal surgery. This condition can lead to chyle depletion, which results in nutritional, immunologic and metabolic deficiencies. An ascitic triglyceride concentration above 200 mg/dL is consistent with chylous ascites. Treatment is based on management of the underlying cause and nutritional support.

CONCLUSIONS

Chylous ascites is mostly due to malignancy and cirrhosis in adults, and congenital lymphatic disorders in children. Treatment with nutritional optimization and management of the underlying etiology are the cornerstones of therapy. When conservative measures fail, other interventions such as octreotide/somatostatin analogues, surgical ligation, embolization and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with cirrhosis can be considered.

Vascularized lymph node flap transfer and lymphovenous anastomosis for klippel-trenaunay syndrome with congenital lymphedema

SUMMARY

A female patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, including hypertrophic bone and soft tissue in the forelimbs, bilateral lower limbs lymphedema, port-wine stains, and superficial veins of Servelle, was presented. The diagnosis of lymphedema was confirmed by lymphoscintigraphy and indocyanine green lymphography. The novel treatments consisted of vascularized lymph node transplantation to the left lymphedematous extremity and lymphovenous anastomosis to the right lymphedematous extremity. Significant improvements in subjective and objective clinical outcome were observed early in the postoperative period with continued improvements during the follow-up period.

Fetal presentation of Klippel-Trénaunay-Weber syndrome with massive pleural effusion and ascites

Background: Although fetuses with Klippel-Trénaunay-Weber syndrome (KTS) show various morphological abnormalities on imaging studies, fetal presentation with hydrops fetalis is relatively uncommon in KTS.

Case: A 28-year-old Japanese woman who had previously given birth to a healthy infant was referred to us at gestational week (GW) 22 due to huge pleural effusion and ascites. The possibility of fetal pulmonary hypoplasia prompted us to place bilateral thoracoamniotic shunts at GW 23 after extensive discussion with both parents. The bilateral shunts were effective in preventing recurrence of pleural effusion. However, ascites gradually increased and clinical signs of fetal cardiac failure necessitated cesarean section at GW 34. A male infant, weighing 4252 g at birth and 2860 g after removal of ascites, survived to the neonatal period and did not require oxygen after postnatal day 63. The infant left hospital on day 103 with a diagnosis of KTS.

Conclusion: Fetuses with KTS may present with massive pleural effusion and ascites. Thoracoamniotic shunting may be effective in such hydropic fetuses with KTS.