An Extremely Rare Disorder of Somatic Mosaicism: CLOVES Syndrome

Use of intercostal nerve block for chest wall pain in a patient with CLOVES syndrome

Congenital lipomatous overgrowth, vascular malformations, epidermal nevi and scoliosis/skeletal/spinal anomalies (CLOVES) syndrome is an extremely rare overgrowth syndrome characterized by complex vascular malformations. Management requires an interdisciplinary approach including debulking operations for tissue overgrowth, embolization therapy for vascular malformations and management of chronic pain due to congenital and recurrent vascular overgrowth and from scar tissue from surgical interventions. Here, we present a 35-year-old female with complex medical history due to CLOVES syndrome, with large vascular malformations on her chest, status post debulking/embolization previously and now with continued chronic nociceptive and neuropathic pain, largely due to the recurrent nature of vascular malformations, but now finding some relief with fluoroscopy-guided intercostal nerve blocks which she never experienced before.

CLOVES syndrome and cervical arteriovenous fistula: a unique association managed by combined microsurgical and endovascular therapy

CLOVES syndrome is a condition characterized by congenital lipomatous overgrowth, vascular malformations, epidermal nevi and skeletal anomalies. The association of cervical arteriovenous fistula with CLOVES syndrome is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, only two cases were reported in the literature. We hereby report an additional case and review the literature on this condition. A 12-year-old girl, known to have CLOVES syndrome, presented to the emergency department with a 2-week history of bilateral, progressive lower extremity and left arm weakness. Radiological imaging demonstrated a C3–C6 left extradural lesion, containing multiple enhancing vessels, causing marked compression on the spinal cord. Urgent spinal decompression was performed, with C3–C6 instrumentation, followed by a two-stage embolization of the fistula. Cervical arteriovenous fistula can be rarely identified in patients with CLOVES syndrome. High index of suspicion is required to promptly evaluate patients with CLOVES syndrome presenting with new-onset neurological deficits.

CLOVES Syndrome in a Nine-month-old Infant

CLOVES syndrome is a recently described overgrowth syndrome. Clinically, it is characterized by congenital lipomatous overgrowth (CLO), vascular anomalies (V), epidermal nevi (E), and skeletal deformities (S). Genetically, it is characterized by a somatic gain-of-function mutation of the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) gene. This somatic mutation is, in turn, associated with the activation of the protein kinase B-mammalian target of the rapamycin (AKT-mTOR) pathway that drives various signaling cascades. The end result is eventually promoting cell proliferation, growth, and survival. CLOVES syndrome is exceedingly uncommon, with less than 200 cases currently documented. Herein, we describe a case of CLOVES syndrome in a nine-month-old male infant who was referred to our dermatology clinic for further assessment and management. The diagnosis was made based on clinical findings and confirmed by genetic testing.

Cloves Syndrome: A Rare Disorder of Overgrowth with Unusual Features - An Uncommon Phenotype?

CLOVES syndrome characterized by Congenital Lipomatous Overgrowth, Vascular malformations, Epidermal nevi, and Skeletal anomalies is a recently described sporadic syndrome from postzygotic activating mutations in PIK3CA. This 3-year-old boy, born to nonconsanguineous and healthy parents, had epidermal verrucous nevus, lower limb length discrepancy and bilateral genuvalgum, anterior abdominal wall lipomatous mass, central beaking of L2 and L3, and fibrous dysplasia of the left frontal bone. Ocular and dental abnormalities (ptosis, esotropia, delayed canine eruption, dental hypoplasia), ipsilateral asymmetrical deformity of skull, and large left cerebral hemisphere with mild ipsilateral ventriculomegaly were peculiar to him denoting an uncommon phenotype. The parents did not consent for magnetic resonance imaging and genetic studies because of financial constraints. The CLOVES syndrome has emerged as an uncommon yet distinct clinical entity with some phenotypic variations. Its diagnosis is usually from cutaneous, truncal, spinal, and foot anomalies in clinical and radioimaging studies. Proteus syndrome remains the major differential.

Complex Truncal Masses in the Setting of CLOVES Syndrome: Aesthetic and Functional Implications

BACKGROUND

Congenital lipomatous overgrowth, vascular malformations, epidermal nevi, and skeletal abnormalities (CLOVES) is a complex overgrowth syndrome with dramatic aesthetic and functional implications. The truncal masses characteristic of CLOVES syndrome are described as vascular malformations or lipomatous lesions with variable vascular components. Herein, we describe our single-institution experience with surgical excision of CLOVES-related truncal masses and discuss future directions in treatment of these complex anomalies.

METHODS

A single-institution retrospective review was performed for patients diagnosed with CLOVES syndrome. Patients undergoing excision of truncal vascular malformations were included. Outcome measures included perioperative characteristics [estimated blood loss (EBL), specimen size/anatomic location, blood-product requirement], as well as length-of-stay [LOS], and complication profile. Mean follow-up was 23.4 months (range 4.2-44).

RESULTS

Three consecutive patients were reviewed, accounting for 4 surgical operations. One patient underwent two operations for two distinct masses. All lesions were located on the upper back or flank with various degrees of muscular involvement. One patient required no transfusions with an uneventful 2-day hospitalization. The remaining three patients had an EBL ranging from 1500 to 6450 mL, requiring 9-13 units of packed red blood cells and 5-8 units of fresh frozen plasma during LOS (averaging 5 days). Mean weight of resected masses was 6.26 lbs (range 2.04-12 lbs) and mass dimensions ranged between 1778.9 and 15,680 cm³. One patient with recurrence was subsequently treated with a combination of sclerotherapy and rapamycin, leading to significant mass reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of CLOVES syndrome requires a collaborative and multimodal approach. Although surgical debulking is one treatment option, non-invasive medical modalities and sclerotherapy should be considered prior to surgical resection.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

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