A novel treatment approach for paediatric Gorham-Stout syndrome with chylothorax

The Lymphatic Endothelial Cell Secretome Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation and Bone Formation

Complex lymphatic anomalies (CLAs) are a set of rare diseases with unique osteopathic profiles. Recent efforts have identified how lymphatic-specific somatic activating mutations can induce abnormal lymphatic formations that are capable of invading bone and inducing bone resorption. The abnormal bone resorption in CLA patients has been linked to overactive osteoclasts in areas with lymphatic invasions. Despite these findings, the mechanism associated with progressive bone loss in CLAs remains to be elucidated. In order to determine the role of osteoblasts in CLAs, we sought to assess osteoblast differentiation and bone formation when exposed to the lymphatic endothelial cell secretome. When treated with lymphatic endothelial cell conditioned medium (L-CM), osteoblasts exhibited a significant decrease in proliferation, differentiation, and function. Additionally, L-CM treatment also inhibited bone formation through a neonatal calvaria explant culture. These findings are the first to reveal how osteoblasts may be actively suppressed during bone lymphatic invasion in CLAs.

A new therapeutic approach in Gorham-Stout disease: a case report

Background

Gorham-Stout disease is a rare condition of unknown prevalence and unknown exact cause. Its pathogenesis is based on enhanced osteoclastic activity leading to bone resorption and bone replacement by distended lymphatic vessels. Because of its rarity and a various range of symptoms the disease may give, diagnosis is challenging and a strong index of suspicion is required. Although it is a benign condition, the prognosis may be unpredictable. The treatment options suggested so far are limited, and every case should be provided with the best individual approach. Herein, we present a case report of Gorham-Stout disease managed with a regular lump drainage with a good response and control of the patient symptoms over a period of 20 years.

Case report

A 23-year-old male was admitted to the Head and Neck Cancer Clinic with a 6-month history of a left-sided neck lump. Other symptoms reported were neck pain and general weakness. The basic laboratory tests were within normal limits. On physical examination, a large round lump on the left side of a patient's neck and left armpit were noticed. They were about several centimeters in diameter, soft on palpation, but firmly attached to the underlying tissue. CT scan revealed large lymphatic left-sided masses of the neck and axillary fossa and multiple osteolytic lesions in the patient's vertebrae. Together with the biopsy findings and imaging studies, a diagnosis of Gorham-Stout Syndrome was made. The patient was then scheduled for a regular cystic drainage with good control of a disease for over a period of 20 years.

Conclusion

Gorham-Stout disease is a rare challenging condition, and the available treatment options remain sparse. Although surgical approach is effective, it is not always possible. In addition, the risk of radiotherapy-induced malignancy shows that this therapy may eventually result in unfavorable response. Depending on symptoms and the disease location, this condition requires an individual treatment plan. The presented case illustrates that a minimally invasive approach may result in a good control of the Gorham-Stout syndrome and may stand as an alternative treatment option for some patients with this condition.

Refractory serositis in Gorham–Stout syndrome

Background

Gorham–Stout syndrome (GSS) is a rare disorder with various presentations and unpredictable prognoses. Previous understandings of GSS mainly focused on progressive bone destruction, while we identified a group of GSS patients with serous effusion as the first symptom. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with GSS having serous effusion as the first symptom.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with GSS were identified through the Peking Union Medical College Hospital Medical Record System. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected. Patients who first presented with serous effusion were recruited into the serous group, while those with bone destruction were recruited into the bone group.

Results

Of the 23 patients with GSS enrolled, 13 were in the bone group and 10 in the serous group. The median disease duration was shorter and exercise tolerance was lower in the serous group. Despite less frequent bone pain in the serous group, the frequency of bone involvement was similar to that in the bone group. Patients in the serous group had higher rates of bilateral pleural effusion and multiple serous effusion. However, serous effusion also developed with disease progression in the bone group. Of the 17 patients treated with bisphosphonates, 14 reached bone-stable state. However, 5 out of 10 patients with serous effusion still had refractory effusions after bisphosphonates treatment. Three patients received sirolimus treatment, with an improvement in serous effusion. Seventeen patients were followed up; three patients died, two in the bone group and one in the serous group.

Conclusions

This study discovered that GSS could first be presented with serous effusion. We believe that this may be a new phenotype of the disease. Sirolimus might help in controlling serous effusion and improving prognosis.

Gorham-Stout disease: A multirod lumbar reconstruction with off-label suppression-remission therapy

BACKGROUND

Gorham-Stout disease (GSD), a fibro-lymphovascular entity in which tissue replaces the bone leading to massive osteolysis and its sequelae, rarely leads to spinal deformity/instability and neurological deficits. Here, we report a 12-year-old female who was diagnosed and treated for GSD.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 12-year-old female presented with back pain, and the inability to walk, sit, or stand attributed to three MR/CT documented L2-L4 lumbar vertebral collapses. Closed biopsies were negative. However, an open biopsy diagnosed GSD. She underwent a dorsal-lumbar-to-pelvis fusion (i.e., T5-T12 through L5/S1/S2) using multilevel pedicle screw/rod stabilization and human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) matched allograft (i.e. from her father). Postoperatively, she was treated with "off-label" teriparatide injections, bisphosphonates, and sirolimus. Four years later, while continuing the bisphosphonate therapy, she remained stable.

CONCLUSION

Surgical multirod stabilization from T5 to S2, supplemented with HLA compatible allograft, and multiple medical "off-label" therapies (i.e., teriparatide, sirolimus, and bisphosphonates) led to a good 4-year outcome in a 12-year-old female with GSD.

Dysregulated miRNAs in bone cells of patients with Gorham-Stout disease

Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) is a very rare disease characterized by increased bone erosion with angiomatous proliferation. The mechanisms underlying this disorder have not been deeply investigated. Due to its rarity, no guidelines are currently available for treatment and management of GSD. We recently evaluated the cellular alterations of the bone remodeling in patients showing that osteoclast precursors displayed increased ability to differentiate into osteoclasts and that affected osteoclasts resorb bone more actively than control cells. Moreover, osteoblasts isolated from a patient showed a defective ability to form mineralized nodules. In this paper, we investigated the molecular pathways involved in the cellular defects of GSD bone cells. For this study, we recruited nine patients and performed miRNome analysis of bone cells. Between the 178 miRNAs robustly expressed in GSD osteoclasts, significant modulation of three miRNAs (miR-1246, miR-1-3p, and miR-137-3p) involved in the regulation of osteoclast formation and activity or in the angiomatous proliferation was found in patients' cells. Interestingly, miR-1246 was also up-regulated in serum exosomes from patients. Analysis of miRNAs from patient osteoblasts suggested alteration of miR-204a-5p, miR-615-3p and miR-378a-3p regulating osteoblast function and differentiation. The resulting miRNA pattern may help to understand better the mechanisms involved in GSD and to identify new potential therapeutic targets for this rare disease.

Radiographic extent of maxillofacial Gorham's disease and its impact on recurrence: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review assessed the radiographic extent of maxillofacial Gorham's disease and its impact on recurrence.

STUDY DESIGN

PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched. The key words were (Gorham Disease OR Vanishing Bone Disease OR Gorham Stout Syndrome) AND (Jaw OR Maxilla OR Mandible OR Maxillofacial).

RESULTS

Forty-one cases from 39 articles were included. Based on radiographic extent, the lesions were classified as large or small. Most cases occurred in the mandible (24), followed by a combination of maxilla and/or mandible and other bones (12), both mandible and maxilla (3), and maxilla only (2). Only mandibular cases were analyzed for radiographic extent. Of the 24 mandibular lesions, 16 were large and 8 were small. Nine of the large lesions occurred in the young age group with 2 recurrences, followed by 5 in the middle-aged group with 1 recurrence. Small lesions were nearly equally distributed over the age groups, with 2 recurrences in the middle-aged group and 1 recurrence in the adult age group. Age, sex, and lesion size had no significant effect on recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiographic extent of the lesion does not impact recurrence, suggesting a possible existence of aggressive and nonaggressive variants of maxillofacial Gorham's disease.

Negative-pressure Wound Therapy for Sacral Pressure Ulcer in Gorham-Stout Disease

Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) is a rare musculoskeletal disorder characterized by progressive bone resorption and overgrowth of lymphatic vessels. The mechanism of GSD is still largely unknown. Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is known to accelerate wound healing and is used worldwide. Herein, we report a successful treatment of a patient with GSD having a sacral pressure ulcer, using NPWT. An 18-year-old female GSD patient was referred to our department for treating a sacral wound. The wound was disinfected by pocket incision, cleansing, and administration of antibiotics; however, the lesion remain unhealed. Histopathology of the debrided sacral wound revealed fibrous granulation tissue, with no sign of lymphatic anomalies. NPWT was started with −75 mm Hg of pressure, and neither lymphorrhea nor growth of lymphangioma was noted. Negative pressure was gradually increased to −125 mm Hg. The ulcer size decreased to 2 × 2 cm², which healed 3 months after hospital discharge, with no recurrence for 8 months. For progressive diseases such as GSD, NPWT may cause the regrowth of lymphangioma or other neoplasms due to an increase in vessel endothelial growth factor. NPWT appears to be one of the safest and most effective wound therapies even for this rare and difficult disease, provided the use of the following treatment protocol: Pathohistological assessment before application of NPWT, and negative pressure initially set at a low level; then, gradually increased, with careful observation to avoid lymphorrhea. When changing the foam dressing, careful checking is important to determine whether the wound is necrotic, or if there is tumor-like tissue accumulation rather than healthy granulation.

Recent Progress in Lymphangioma

Lymphangioma is a common type of congenital vascular disease in children with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. The current classification of lymphangioma by International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies is largely based on the clinical manifestations and complications and is not sufficient for selection of therapeutic strategies and prognosis prediction. The clinical management and outcome of lymphangioma largely depend on the clinical classification and the location of the disease, ranging from spontaneous regression with no treatment to severe sequelae even with comprehensive treatment. Recently, rapid progression has been made toward elucidating the molecular pathology of lymphangioma and the development of treatments. Several signaling pathways have been revealed to be involved in the progression and development of lymphangioma, and specific inhibitors targeting these pathways have been investigated for clinical applications and clinical trials. Some drugs already currently in clinical use for other diseases were found to be effective for lymphangioma, although the mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor effects remain unclear. Molecular classification based on molecular pathology and investigation of the molecular mechanisms of current clinical drugs is the next step toward developing more effective individualized treatment of children with lymphangioma with reduced side effects.

Japanese clinical practice guidelines for vascular anomalies 2017

The objective was to prepare guidelines to perform the current optimum treatment by organizing effective and efficient treatments of hemangiomas and vascular malformations, confirming the safety, and systematizing treatment, employing evidence-based medicine (EBM) techniques and aimed at improvement of the outcomes. Clinical questions (CQs) were decided based on the important clinical issues. For document retrieval, key words for literature searches were set for each CQ and literature published from 1980 to the end of September 2014 was searched in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina (JCRM). The strengths of evidence and recommendations acquired by systematic reviews were determined following the Medical Information Network Distribution System (MINDS) technique. A total of 33 CQs were used to compile recommendations and the subjects included efficacy of resection, sclerotherapy/embolization, drug therapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy, and other conservative treatment, differences in appropriate treatment due to the location of lesions and among symptoms, appropriate timing of treatment and tests, and pathological diagnosis deciding the diagnosis. Thus, the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017 have been prepared as the evidence-based guidelines for the management of vascular anomalies.

Surgical management of Gorham-Stout syndrome involving the cervical spine with bilateral pleural effusion: A case report and literature review

Gorham-Stout syndrome (GSS) is a rare disease characterized by spontaneous and progressive osteolysis caused by benign proliferation of lymphatic vessels or capillaries. It most commonly occurs in children or young individuals without any inherited predisposition. GSS most commonly affects the shoulder girdle, pelvis, ribs and skull. Its diagnosis is mainly based on radiological and pathological findings. The present study reports on the case of a 22-year-old male patient diagnosed with GSS involving the C1-T1 vertebrae accompanied by bilateral pleural effusion. Resection of the occipital and cervical vertebral lesions and spinal reconstruction using an internal fixator were successfully performed via the posterior approach. After the surgery, the patient received bisphosphonate treatment and vitamin D supplementation. The pleural effusion gradually decreased. At the 18-month follow-up visit, no evidence of new bone obstruction was present and the patient had no neurological sequelae.

Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017

The objective was to prepare guidelines to perform the current optimum treatment by organizing effective and efficient treatments of hemangiomas and vascular malformations, confirming the safety and systematizing treatment, employing evidence‐based medicine techniques and aimed at improvement of the outcomes. Clinical questions (CQ) were decided based on the important clinical issues. For document retrieval, key words for published work searches were set for each CQ, and work published from 1980 to the end of September 2014 was searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina databases. The strengths of evidence and recommendations acquired by systematic reviews were determined following the Medical Information Network Distribution System technique. A total of 33 CQ were used to compile recommendations and the subjects included efficacy of resection, sclerotherapy/embolization, drug therapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy and other conservative treatment, differences in appropriate treatment due to the location of lesions and among symptoms, appropriate timing of treatment and tests, and pathological diagnosis deciding the diagnosis. Thus, the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017 have been prepared as the evidence‐based guidelines for the management of vascular anomalies.

Japanese clinical practice guidelines for vascular anomalies 2017

The objective was to prepare guidelines to perform the current optimum treatment by organizing effective and efficient treatments of hemangiomas and vascular malformations, confirming the safety, and systematizing treatment, employing evidence-based medicine (EBM) techniques and aimed at improvement of the outcomes. Clinical questions (CQs) were decided based on the important clinical issues. For document retrieval, key words for literature searches were set for each CQ and literature published from 1980 to the end of September 2014 was searched in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina (JCRM). The strengths of evidence and recommendations acquired by systematic reviews were determined following the Medical Information Network Distribution System (MINDS) technique. A total of 33 CQs were used to compile recommendations and the subjects included efficacy of resection, sclerotherapy/embolization, drug therapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy, and other conservative treatment, differences in appropriate treatment due to the location of lesions and among symptoms, appropriate timing of treatment and tests, and pathological diagnosis deciding the diagnosis. Thus, the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017 have been prepared as the evidence-based guidelines for the management of vascular anomalies.

Non-Anticoagulant Heparins as Heparanase Inhibitors

The chapter will review early and more recent seminal contributions to the discovery and characterization of heparanase and non-anticoagulant heparins inhibiting its peculiar enzymatic activity. Indeed, heparanase displays a unique versatility in degrading heparan sulfate chains of several proteoglycans expressed in all mammalian cells. This endo-β-D-glucuronidase is overexpressed in cancer, inflammation, diabetes, atherosclerosis, nephropathies and other pathologies. Starting from known low- or non-anticoagulant heparins, the search for heparanase inhibitors evolved focusing on structure-activity relationship studies and taking advantage of new chemical-physical analytical methods which have allowed characterization and sequencing of polysaccharide chains. New methods to screen heparanase inhibitors and to evaluate their mechanism of action and in vivo activity in experimental models prompted their development. New non-anticoagulant heparin derivatives endowed with anti-heparanase activity are reported. Some leads are under clinical evaluation in the oncology field (e.g., acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, pancreatic carcinoma) and in other pathological conditions (e.g., sickle cell disease, malaria, labor arrest).

Generalized Lymphatic Anomaly and Gorham-Stout Disease: Overview and Recent Insights

Significance: Generalized lymphatic anomaly and Gorham-Stout disease are extremely rare diseases with severe symptoms and poor prognosis. The etiology and clinical presentation of the patients remain poorly defined, but recent research has attempted to determine the pathogenesis of these diseases. Recent Advances: In recent years, the characteristics of complex lymphatic anomalies have been revealed. Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis is recognized as a new entity that has an aggressive course and poor prognosis. Genetic analysis revealed somatic mutations in genes associated with the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway in lymphatic malformation lesions. Somatic NRAS mutation in lymphatic endothelium from a generalized lymphatic anomaly patient was also detected as a potential cause of disease. Furthermore, studies demonstrated the efficacy of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor sirolimus for these lymphatic diseases. Critical Issues: These diseases have overlapping symptoms, imaging features, and complications, leading to difficulty in their differential diagnosis. In addition, there are no standard therapies. Therefore, we need to determine the differences among these diseases to not only diagnose but also treat them appropriately. Future Directions: Further investigations should reveal differences in the clinical features and findings of radiological, pathological, and genetic examinations to manage each disease appropriately. Somatic mutation in genes encoding RAS/PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway components could be associated with the pathogenesis of these diseases and may be novel targets for drug therapies.

A rare case of Gorham-stout syndrome involving the thoracic spine with progressive bilateral chylothorax: a case report

Background

Gorham-Stout syndrome (GSS) with spinal involvement is extremely rare, and bilateral chylothorax as a complication is usually fatal. In our case, pleural effusion appeared in the left hemithorax after ligating the right thoracic duct.

Case presentation

A 14-year-old patient presented with GSS affecting the thoracic spine with bilateral chylothorax. The case was successfully managed using combined conservative and surgical treatments. At the 2-year follow-up visit, the amount of pleural fluid was reduced, the patient’s respiratory function had improved, and the deformity on the thoracic spine had gradually stabilized.

Conclusions

GSS is a rare disorder of the musculoskeletal system that responds poorly to therapies and exhibits very high morbidity and mortality. Chylothorax is a common complication when lesions involve the thoracic spine, and physicians should be vigilant for possible serious pulmonary complications.

Gorham-Stout Syndrome of the Shoulder Girdle Successfully Controlled by Antiresorptive Agents: A Report of 2 Cases

CASE

Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) is a rare disorder characterized by massive bone destruction. Consensus is lacking on the effective treatment strategies for GSD. This report presents 2 cases of GSD, a 47-year-old man and a 72-year-old woman, involving the shoulder girdle which were successfully controlled by antiresorptive agents including bisphosphonates and denosumab, the antireceptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand antibody.

CONCLUSIONS

These 2 cases suggest that antiresorptive agents targeting osteoclasts can be efficacious therapeutic options for GSD. This is the first case of GSD we are aware of which showed good response to denosumab treatment.

Multifocal osteolysis with chylous polyserositis and intrathoracic vein thrombosis: a diagnostic challenge for rheumatologists

Vanishing bone disease with multisystemic involvement may mimic systemic autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases. We present a 19-year-old man who was hospitalized due to chest pain following a progressive osteolysis of the bony thorax. The disease later expanded into the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium in a form of massive chylous polyserositis. The patient also developed thrombosis of multiple central veins, which in turn worsened the chylothorax by increasing the pressure in the thoracic duct. This is the first case of vanishing bone disease complicated by triple chylous effusions and central vein thrombosis.

Left Functional Pneumonectomy Caused by a Very Rare Giant Intrathoracic Cystic Lesion in a Patient with Gorham-Stout Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Gorham-Stout syndrome is an uncommon entity, with few cases reported in bibliography. It consists of osteolytic manifestations affecting various bones and replacing them with lymphangiomatous tissue. With pathophysiology unknown, Gorham-Stout disease affects also cardiorespiratory system usually causing lytic lesions to the bones of the thoracic cage or directly invading the thoracic duct. This is a case report of a unique respiratory manifestation of the disease and a review of its cardiorespiratory complications.

VEGF-C promotes the development of lymphatics in bone and bone loss

Patients with Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) have lymphatic vessels in their bones and their bones gradually disappear. Here, we report that mice that overexpress VEGF-C in bone exhibit a phenotype that resembles GSD. To drive VEGF-C expression in bone, we generated Osx-tTA;TetO-Vegfc double-transgenic mice. In contrast to Osx-tTA mice, Osx-tTA;TetO-Vegfc mice developed lymphatics in their bones. We found that inhibition of VEGFR3, but not VEGFR2, prevented the formation of bone lymphatics in Osx-tTA;TetO-Vegfc mice. Radiological and histological analysis revealed that bones from Osx-tTA;TetO-Vegfc mice were more porous and had more osteoclasts than bones from Osx-tTA mice. Importantly, we found that bone loss in Osx-tTA;TetO-Vegfc mice could be attenuated by an osteoclast inhibitor. We also discovered that the mutant phenotype of Osx-tTA;TetO-Vegfc mice could be reversed by inhibiting the expression of VEGF-C. Taken together, our results indicate that expression of VEGF-C in bone is sufficient to induce the pathologic hallmarks of GSD in mice.

Gorham-Stout Disease Presenting as Acute Unilateral Proptosis

Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) is a rare angiomatous disorder characterized by osteolysis. We report the case of a 66-year-old woman who developed sudden left eye proptosis and facial pain. Neuroimaging demonstrated a destructive mass involving the roof and lateral wall of the left orbit with adjacent abnormal orbital soft tissue. An initial biopsy of the soft tissue was nondiagnostic; however, transcranial biopsy of the orbital roof revealed an intraosseous cavernous angioma, with infiltration of orbital fat by angiomatous tissue. Despite resection of the orbital roof and lateral wall, the orbital lesion continued to expand, leading to signs of a compressive optic neuropathy. The patient then reported severe back pain, prompting imaging that demonstrated disseminated bony involvement of the axial skeleton, eventually leading to the diagnosis of GSD. The patient was treated with a bisphosphonate and a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor with stabilization of disease.

Pregnancy Complicated by Gorham-Stout Disease and Refractory Chylothorax

Introduction Gorham-Stout Disease (GSD) is a rare disorder of bony destruction due to lymphangiomatosis, and is often triggered by hormones. One complication of GSD is the development of chylothorax, which carries a high mortality rate. Very little experience has been published to guide management in GSD during pregnancy to optimize both fetal and maternal health. Case Study A 20-year-old woman with known GSD presented with shortness of breath at 18 weeks of pregnancy, due to bilateral chylothoraces which required daily drainage. To minimize chylous fluid formation, she was placed on bowel rest with total parenteral nutrition (limiting lipid intake) and received octreotide to decrease splanchnic blood flow and chylous fluid drainage. Treatment options were limited due to her pregnancy. Twice daily home chest tube drainage of a single lung cavity, total parenteral nutrition, octreotide, and albumin infusions allowed successful delivery of a healthy 37 weeks' gestation infant by cesarean delivery. Discussion This case illustrates the management of a rare clinical disease of bone resorption and lymphangiomatosis complicated by bilateral, refractory chylothoraces, triggered by pregnancy, in whom treatment options are limited, and the need for a multidisciplinary health care team to ensure successful maternal and fetal outcomes.

Gorham-Stout syndrome of the shoulder

Introduction: Gorham-Stout syndrome (GSS) is a rare but severe subtype of idiopathic osteolysis. There are no guidelines for the treatment of GSS. We analysed different diagnostic and therapeutic regimes and we describe the sucessful treatment of GSS considering individual patient factors.

Methods: We diagnosed three patients with shoulder-specific GSS using clinical, radiological and histopathological examinations. Two out of three patients with similar clinical appearances were treated non-operatively. One patient was treated by reverse shoulder arthroplasty. All patients were analysed retrospectively using clinical and radiological evaluation with a mean follow-up of 42 (range 30–50) months.

Results: Two patients had few symptoms of GSS and were treated conservatively. One patient underwent arthroplasty, with a good clinical result. No additional therapy, such as radiation or anti-resorptive medications, was needed for the stable fixation of the prosthesis and the termination of osteolysis. In all patients we found good clinical outcomes with high patient satisfaction.

Discussion: GSS is diagnosed after exclusion of infectious, malignant, and systemic disorders. The diagnosis should be supported by clinical, radiological, and histopathological characteristics of patients. Different humoral and cellular changes have been reported in GSS, but lack sufficient supporting evidence. GSS is associated with angiomatous and lymphatic malformations. The changes in GSS and the theories of its pathophysiology may reveal.

Pulmonary and pleural lymphatic endothelial cells from pediatric, but not adult, patients with Gorham-Stout disease and generalized lymphatic anomaly, show a high proliferation rate

Background

Gorham-Stout disease (OMIM 123880) and generalized lymphatic anomaly are two rare disorders of lymphendothelial growth in which thoracic involvement with chylothorax is a feared complication. Currently it is believed that both disorders are prenatal malformations that progress slowly after birth. Several pharmaceuticals with antiproliferative properties, including interferon-α-2b, rapamycin and propranolol, have however been shown to affect the disease course in some patients. Deeper knowledge of the growth characteristics of these malformations are therefore needed to guide the clinical approach.

Methods

Lymphatic vessels in lung and pleural tissue from both children and adult patients with generalized lymphatic anomaly or Gorham-Stout disease were studied using an immunohistochemical approach, targeting lymphendothelial markers (D2-40/Prox-1) and a proliferation marker (Ki-67).

Results

We found significant proliferation and growth in these lesions in pediatric patients but not in adults. Furthermore, the data may suggest that the disease process is at least partly reversible.

Conclusions

These malformations of the lymphatic system proliferate at a significant rate long after birth, which could suggest that the clinical approach for children should be different from adults.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13023-016-0449-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Gorham-Stout Disease Successfully Treated With Sirolimus and Zoledronic Acid Therapy

Gorham-Stout disease is a life-threatening disorder often manifested by lymphatic malformation and osteolysis. Unfortunately, available therapies are not uniformly effective and often carry substantial morbidity. We report an 18-year-old male with Gorham-Stout disease manifested by lytic rib lesions and an intractable pleural effusion that responded dramatically to the combination of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor sirolimus and the aminobisphosphonate zoledronic acid after failing interferon therapy. This tolerable therapeutic combination has demonstrated synergism in preclinical cancer models and merits further study in vascular anomalies.

Case Report: Gorham-Stoute Syndrome with Involvement of Majority of Mandible, and Partial Maxillary, Temporal and Zygomatic Bones

The Gorham-Stout syndrome is a rare condition in which spontaneous, progressive resorption of bone occurs. The diagnosis is based on clinical, radiological and histopathological findings after excluding other etiologies and as a result it is often delayed. We present the case of a 21-year-old male diagnosed with Gorham-Stout syndrome with involvement of the majority of the mandible, partial involvement of right maxillary, temporal and zygomatic bones and discuss its diagnostic and therapeutic features.

A successfully treated case of gorham-stout syndrome with sternal involvement

Gorham-Stout Syndrome (GSS) is a rare disease characterized by localized bone resorption. Any part of the skeleton may be affected; therefore, symptoms can vary depending on the site involved. Pathological analysis reveals lymphovascular proliferation and osteolysis in the affected lesion, but the etiology of the disease is poorly understood. When GSS occurs in the chest, chylothorax or respiratory failure may occur. Thus far, a standard treatment for GSS has not been established, and the prognosis remains unknown. The following case report describes a successfully treated case of GSS in a 16-year-old boy with an affected sternum and ribs.

"Vanishing Bone Disease" in Maxillofacial Region: A Review and Our Experience

Vanishing bone disease (VBD) is a rare disease of unknown etiology which is characterised by progressive replacement of bony framework by proliferation of endothelial lined lymphatic vessels. It has been given numerous names like massive osteolysis, Gorham's disease, phantom bone disease, and progressive osteolysis. It has no age, sex or race predilection. It may involve single or multiple bones and spread of the disease does not respect the relevant joint as boundary. The first report of the disease was published around two decades back but the mysterious nature of its etiology and ideal management strategy has still not been completely unfolded. The disease may functionally or aesthetically effect the patient and also has the potential to be life threatening. The first case of VBD in maxillofacial region was reported by Romer in 1924, Handbuch der speziellen pathologischen Anatomie and histology, Springer, Berlin. Since then, there have been few case reports of the same in maxillofacial region. We present a review of cases of VBD in maxillofacial region reported in literature along with our experience of a case.

Thoracic osteotomy for Gorham-Stout disease of the spine: a case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Gorham-Stout syndrome is an aggressive, non-heritable skeletal disease characterized by osteolysis following minor trauma. The primary involvement of the spine is less common (10 %) and has been described in only about 20 cases; there is no consensus about the best way to treat this condition.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To report a case of Gorham-Stout syndrome involving the thoracic spine and to review the literature to suggest a post-operative treatment to prevent osteolysis.

CASE REPORT

A thirty-year-old female patient was admitted to the unit in March 2013 for a pathologic T4 fracture. X-rays and CT scan revealed the onset of T4 osteolysis and an increase in thoracic kyphosis (the local kyphosis was up to 100°). We performed surgery by posterior approach, combining posterior fixation with screws and rods from T3 to T9, decompression and vertebral osteotomy of 65°. The immediate outcome of surgery was good and the patient returned home after 24 days. At 6 and 12 months of follow-up, the patient was walking normally with no neurological sequelae.

CONCLUSION

We report a case of Gorham-Stout syndrome involving the thoracic spine that was successfully treated by interpedicular osteotomy associated with a 6 month follow-up. We suggest that this strategy can provide good results, because after fusion, the disease process remains stable. Because of the lack of cases reported, surgeons must be careful when using multiple treatments, because these treatments have many side effects.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV case report.

Viewpoints on vessels and vanishing bones in Gorham-Stout disease

Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) is a rare disorder characterized by the proliferation of endothelial-lined vessels in bone and the progressive destruction of bone. Although Jackson described the first case of GSD in 1838, the clinical and histological features of GSD were not defined until Gorham and Stout published their report on massive osteolysis in 1955. In the years since Gorham and Stout's groundbreaking publication, more than 300 cases of GSD have been described in the literature. These reports have revealed that the progressive resorption of bone in GSD causes severe physical deformities, disabilities, and life-threatening complications. Unfortunately, the underlying cause of GSD remains unknown and, as a result, the therapeutic options for individuals with GSD are limited. Here we review the latest advances in GSD research and present strategies to address basic and clinical research questions related to GSD.

Chylothorax in infants and children

Chylothorax, the accumulation of chyle in the pleural space, is a relatively rare cause of pleural effusion in children. It can cause significant respiratory morbidity, as well as lead to malnutrition and immunodeficiency. Thus, a chylothorax requires timely diagnosis and treatment. This review will first discuss the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and discuss various causes that can lead to development of a chylothorax in infants and children. Then, methods of diagnosis and treatment will be reviewed. Finally, complications of chylothorax will be reviewed.

Novel molecular pathways in Gorham disease: implications for treatment

Rapid advances in evidence-based treatment schedules are a hallmark of modern oncology. In rare neoplastic diseases, however, clinical expertise is hard to build and evidence based on randomized trials almost impossible to collect. Gorham disease is a rare form of lymphatic proliferation accompanied by osteolysis, which usually occurs in young adults. Despite the fact that the clinical course of Gorham disease is often devastating and occasionally fatal, insights into its biological background are sparse and standardized treatment unavailable. Interestingly, recent knowledge on the mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis may help elucidate the pathophysiology of Gorham disease and lead to novel treatment targets. Here, we discuss our current understanding of Gorham disease, discuss established and emerging therapeutic strategies, and attempt to frame a treatment rationale.

Gorham's disease: the disappearing bone

Gorham's disease is a rare disorder characterized by proliferation of vascular channels. The clinical presentation of Gorham's disease is variable and depends on the site of involvement. A high index of clinical suspicion is needed for accurate diagnosis, and recognition of distinctive radiologic and histopathologic features can help facilitate and expedite diagnosis. The subsequent images were obtained from a 31-year-old male patient. Nuclear scintigraphy and computed tomography identified active bone destruction in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine in addition to the absence of the left lower rib cage. Gorham's disease was subsequently confirmed by biopsy.

Invasive lymphatic malformation (gorham-stout) of the pelvis with prominent skin involvement

Gorham-Stout syndrome is a rare disease characterized by progressive osteolysis leading to disappearance of the bone. Vascular proliferations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this syndrome. The case of a 7-year-old girl with a prominent invasive lymphatic malformation on the lumbosacral area and massive osteolysis of the pelvic girdle is reported.

Pulmonary lymphangiomatosis

Lymphangiomatosis is a rare disease characterized by diffuse infiltration of lymphangiomas in the lung, bone, and other tissues. Due to its rarity, the spectrum of lymphangiomatosis is beginning to be elucidated based on case reports. The limited pathological, radiological, and clinical studies have shed light on this disease. Treatments have been tested in unblinded manner with promising results; however, further understanding of the pathogenesis of disease, as well as its natural history, is needed to facilitate drug development.