Precocious puberty in a boy with a widespread linear epidermal naevus

The Role of KRAS Mutations in Cortical Malformation and Epilepsy Surgery: A Novel Report of Nevus Sebaceous Syndrome and Review of the Literature

The rare nevus sebaceous (NS) syndrome (NSS) includes cortical malformations and drug-resistant epilepsy. Somatic RAS-pathway genetic variants are pathogenetic in NS, but not yet described within the brain of patients with NSS. We report on a 5-year-old boy with mild psychomotor delay. A brown-yellow linear skin lesion suggestive of NS in the left temporo-occipital area was evident at birth. Epileptic spasms presented at aged six months. EEG showed continuous left temporo-occipital epileptiform abnormalities. Brain MRI revealed a similarly located diffuse cortical malformation with temporal pole volume reduction and a small hippocampus. We performed a left temporo-occipital resection with histopathological diagnosis of focal cortical dysplasia type Ia in the occipital region and hippocampal sclerosis type 1. Three years after surgery, he is seizure-and drug-free (Engel class Ia) and showed cognitive improvement. Genetic examination of brain and skin specimens revealed the c.35G > T (p.Gly12Val) KRAS somatic missense mutation. Literature review suggests epilepsy surgery in patients with NSS is highly efficacious, with 73% probability of seizure freedom. The few histological analyses reported evidenced disorganized cortex, occasionally with cytomegalic neurons. This is the first reported association of a KRAS genetic variant with cortical malformations associated with epilepsy, and suggests a possible genetic substrate for hippocampal sclerosis.

Central precocious puberty in a girl with LEGIUS syndrome: an accidental association?

BACKGROUND

Central precocious puberty is a condition characterized by precocious activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. It may be idiopathic or secondary to organic causes, including syndromes such as Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

CASE PRESENTATION

We presented a girl of 6 years and 10 months with almost 11 café-au-lait skin macules, without other clinical or radiological signs typical of NF1, and with a central precocious puberty. Genetic analysis evidenced the new variant NM-152594.2:c.304delAp. (Thr102Argfs*19) in SPRED1 gene, which allowed to diagnose Legius syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

We report for the first time a case of central precocious puberty in a girl with Legius syndrome. The presence of central precocious puberty in a child with characteristic café-au-lait macules should suggest pediatricians to perform genetic analysis in order to reach a definitive diagnosis. Further studies on timing of puberty in patients with RASopathies are needed to better elucidate if this clinical association is casual or secondary to their clinical condition.

Association of Central Precocious Puberty with a Rare Presentation of Schimmelpenning-Feuerstein-Mims Syndrome in a Peruvian Girl

Schimmelpenning–Feuerstein–Mims syndrome (SFM), an epidermal nevus syndrome characterized by skin lesions, has an estimated incidence of 1 per 10 000 live births. Nevus sebaceous, the most common cutaneous lesion, and verrucous nevus, the less frequent lesion, are coupled with a wide range of extracutaneous manifestations. As part of these manifestations, rarely, central precocious puberty can arise. We report the case of a 1-year-5-month-old girl who presented to the Endocrinology and Metabolism Department with breast enlargement that began at one year of age, growth of pubic and axillary hair three months later, and vaginal bleeding that occurred five months later. During clinical examination, melanocytic nevi, with a diameter ranging from 3 to 5 mm, were noted on the face. Verrucous nevi of variable size with a tendency for coalescence following the lines of Blaschko and melanocytic nevi with a diameter ranging from 3 to 6 mm were observed on the right hemibody and on the left hemibody, respectively. Right asymmetry of the lower extremities was observed. Laboratory findings showed a significant increase in the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) after the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test; additionally, imaging demonstrated advanced bone age and pubertal changes in the internal genitals. Analyses of the H-RAS, K-RAS, and N-RAS genes in the blood and in the skin were performed, and a missense mutation in exon 2 of the gene, H-RAS c37G > C (p.G13R), was detected in the latter. Treatment with triptorelin, a GnRH analog, was initiated, and it gave good clinical response. Epidermal nevus syndrome has a wide and variable systemic involvement. Thus, it is important to consider the development of precocious puberty for a prompt diagnosis and to strategize a multidisciplinary approach from the beginning.

High prevalence of syndromic disorders in patients with non-isolated central precocious puberty

Objective Non-idiopathic CPP is caused by acquired or congenital hypothalamic lesions visible on MRI or is associated with various complex genetic and/or syndromic disorders. This study investigated the different types and prevalence of non-isolated CPP phenotypes. Design and Methods This observational cohort study included all patients identified as having non-idiopathic CPP in the database of a single academic pediatric care center over a period of 11.5 years. Patients were classified on the basis of MRI findings for the CNS as having either hypothalamic lesions or complex syndromic phenotypes without structural lesions of the hypothalamus. Results In total, 63 consecutive children (42 girls and 21 boys) with non-isolated CPP were identified. Diverse diseases were detected, and the hypothalamic lesions visible on MRI (n = 28, 45% of cases) included hamartomas (n = 17; either isolated or with an associated syndromic phenotype), optic gliomas (n = 8; with or without neurofibromatosis type 1), malformations (n = 3) with interhypothalamic adhesions (n = 2; isolated or associated with syndromic CNS midline abnormalities, such as optic nerve hypoplasia, ectopic posterior pituitary) or arachnoid cysts (n = 1). The patients with non-structural hypothalamic lesions (n = 35, 55% of cases) had narcolepsy (n = 9), RASopathies (n = 4), encephalopathy or autism spectrum disorders with or without chromosomal abnormalities (n = 15) and other complex syndromic disorders (n = 7). Conclusion Our findings suggest that a large proportion (55%) of patients with non-isolated probable non-idiopathic CPP may have complex disorders without structural hypothalamic lesions on MRI. Future studies should explore the pathophysiological relevance of the mechanisms underlying CPP in these disorders.

Epidermal nevus syndromes: clinical findings in 35 patients

Of the patients with epidermal nevi, 10-18% may have disorders of the eye, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems. A predisposition to malignant neoplasms in ectodermal and mesodermal structures may also be found. There are six different epidermal nevus syndromes described so far: Proteus, congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defect syndrome, phakomatosis pigmentokeratotica, sebaceous nevus, Becker nevus, and nevus comedonicus. Thirty-five patients with epidermal nevus syndrome seen at the National Institute of Pediatrics in Mexico City during a 31-year period are described. This syndrome represented 7.9% of 443 patients with epidermal nevi; its relative frequency was 1 case per 11,928 pediatric patients and 1 case per 1080 dermatologic patients. Nine epidermal nevus syndrome patients (26%) had Proteus syndrome. Sebaceous nevus syndrome was found in six patients (17%), while the nevus comedonicus syndrome was found in three (8%). Two patients were diagnosed with phakomatosis pigmentokeratotica and one patient with congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defect syndrome. This is the first report of phakomatosis pigmentokeratotica and congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defect syndrome in Mexican patients. One patient had an inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus with systemic involvement. Thirteen patients (37%) had keratinocytic nevi with systemic involvement. We propose the keratinocytic nevus syndrome to be defined as the association of a keratinocytic nevus with neuronal migration and/or musculoskeletal disorders in addition to a higher risk for mesodermal neoplasms.

Epidermal nevus syndrome: association with central precocious puberty and woolly hair nevus

The epidermal nevus syndrome is characterized by the association of epidermal nevi with abnormalities of the skin, skeletal system, central nervous system, eyes, and cardiovascular system, as well as with malignant conditions. We describe a 2-year-old girl with an extensive epidermal nevus involving the left side of the body (nevus unius lateris) and associated with a woolly hair nevus on the left parietal area of the scalp and multiple acquired melanocytic nevi. Idiopathic central precocious puberty characterized by premature breast and public hair development and advanced bone age developed at the age of 20 months. A sharp increase in serum gonadotropins after a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) stimulation test confirmed the presence of central precocious puberty. This is the third reported case of precocious puberty associated with the epidermal nevus syndrome.

Shave excision and phenol peeling of generalized verrucous epidermal nevus

BACKGROUND

Generalized verrucous epidermal nevus is a disorder characterized by papulokeratotic and verrucous plaques involving a large area of the skin. This disease has been associated with a number of malformations including osseous, neurological, and ophthalmologic anomalies.

OBJECTIVE

To report clinical and histologic features of verrucous epidermal nevus that developed in association with osseous anomalies, and the surgical technique employed.

METHODS

Treatment consisted of razor blade shaving using a dermatome, followed by phenol peeling on the pigmented areas of the face.

RESULTS

The described procedure resulted in a cure of the verrucous epidermal nevus with good cosmetic outcome.

CONCLUSION

Generalized verrucous epidermal nevus can be successfully managed by surgical excision using a razor blade mounted on a dermatome.