Self-reported treatment patterns in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome and migraines

Headache in Sturge-Weber syndrome: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a neurocutaneous disorder for which the neurological aspects, particularly headaches, remain poorly understood, despite significantly affecting morbidity. The present study aimed to elucidate the prevalence, characteristics and treatment strategies, as well as explore the pathogenesis of headaches, in SWS.

METHODS

Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically reviewed observational studies, case reports and series from eight databases (Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Embase, Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science), published from 1978 to 2023, to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, medication response and pathogenic theories of headaches in SWS.

RESULTS

The review analyzed 48 studies, uncovering headache prevalence between 37% and 71%. Migraine-like headache affected up to 52% of individuals. Prophylactic and acute treatments included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, triptans and antiepileptic drugs, despite the lack of established guidelines. Life-threatening headaches in SWS are uncommon, typically accompanied by other neurological symptoms. The pathogenesis of headaches in SWS is considered to involve venous congestion and neuronal hyperexcitability linked to leptomeningeal angiomas.

CONCLUSIONS

Headaches occur more frequently in individuals with SWS than in the general population. Despite symptoms meeting migraine criteria, these headaches should be considered secondary to vascular conditions. Implementing acute and prophylactic treatment is advised to reduce the impact on patients' lives.

Cannabidiol Treatment for Neurological, Cognitive, and Psychiatric Symptoms in Sturge-Weber Syndrome

BACKGROUND

A prior drug trial of cannabidiol for treatment-resistant epilepsy in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS), a rare neurovascular condition, implicated improvements in neurological, quality of life (QOL), neuropsychologic, psychiatric, and motor outcomes.

METHODS

Ten subjects with SWS brain involvement, controlled seizures, and cognitive impairments received study drug in this Johns Hopkins institutional review board-approved, open-label, prospective drug trial. Oral cannabidiol was taken for six months (dose ranged from 5 to 20 mg/kg/day). SWS neuroscore, port-wine birthmark score, QOL, and adverse events were recorded every four to 12 weeks. Neuropsychologic, psychiatric, and motor assessments were administered at baseline and six months' follow-up. Most evaluations were conducted virtually due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

RESULTS

Cannabidiol was generally well tolerated. Six subjects reported mild to moderate side effects related to study drug and continued on drug; one subject withdrew early due to moderate side effects. No seizures were reported. Significant improvements in SWS neuroscore, patient-reported QOL, anxiety and emotional regulation, and report of bimanual ability use were noted. Migraine QOL scores were high at baseline in these subjects, and remained high. Neuropsychologic and other QOL and motor outcomes remained stable, with some within-subject improvements noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Further studies are needed to determine whether Epidiolex can improve quality of life and be beneficial for neurological, anxiety, and motor impairments in SWS independent of seizure control. Large multicentered studies are needed to extend these preliminary findings.

Updates on Sturge-Weber Syndrome

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare, noninherited neurovascular disorder characterized by abnormal vasculature in the brain, skin, and eye. Patients with SWS characteristically have facial capillary malformation, also known as port-wine birthmark, a leptomeningeal vascular malformation seen on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging images, abnormal blood vessels in the eye, and glaucoma. Patients with SWS have impaired perfusion to the brain and are at high risk of venous stroke and stroke-like episodes, seizures, and both motor and cognitive difficulties. While the activating R183Q GNAQ somatic mutation is the most common somatic mutation underlying SWS, recent research also implicates that GNA11 and GNB2 somatic mutations are related to SWS. Recent retrospective studies suggest the use of low-dose aspirin and vitamin D in treatment for SWS and prospective drug trials have supported the usefulness of cannabidiol and Sirolimus. Presymptomatic treatment with low-dose aspirin and antiepileptic drugs shows promising results in delaying seizure onset in some patients. This review focuses on the latest progress in the field of research for Sturge-Weber syndrome and highlights directions for future research.

Dermatologic Symptoms and Syndromes Associated with Headache

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Headache disorders are often accompanied by associated symptoms involving organ systems other than the central and peripheral nervous system, including the integumentary, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal system. However, skin changes or conditions are not commonly associated with headache disorders. Recognition of possible etiologies of headache in patients with bruising, rash, or neurocutaneous disorders can help guide workup and management. The purpose of this article is to review the various dermatologic presentations associated with headache.

RECENT FINDINGS

Multiple review articles and retrospective studies have noted the association between head pain with dermatologic changes including ecchymoses, inflammatory skin conditions, and neurocutaneous disorders. Postulated mechanisms include activation of the trigeminal autonomic system and involvement of similar pro-inflammatory molecules. In this review, we discuss three different classes of rashes including ecchymoses, inflammatory skin conditions, and neurocutaneous disorders, all of which have been associated with migraine and/or headache. We discuss the possible underlying pathophysiology and treatment options.

Sturge-Weber syndrome: an update on the relevant issues for neurosurgeons

PURPOSE

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a neurocutaneous facomatosis characterized by facial and leptomeningeal angioma, glaucoma, seizures, and neurological disability. Therefore, a challenging multidisciplinary interaction is required for its management. The goal of this paper is to review the main aspects of SWS and to present an illustrative pediatric series.

METHODS

The pertinent literature has been analyzed, focused mainly on etiopathogenesis, pathology, clinical features, diagnostic tools, management, and outcome of the disease. Moreover, a series of 11 children operated on for refractory epilepsy between 2005 and 2015 (minimum follow-up 5 years, mean follow-up 9.6 years) is reported. The series consists of six boys and five girls with 6.5-month and 16.2-month mean age at seizure onset and at surgery, respectively. Seizures affected all children, followed by hemiparesis and psychomotor delay (81%), glaucoma (54%), and other neurological deficits (45%).

RESULTS

All children underwent hemispherectomy (anatomical in three cases, functional in two cases, hemispherotomy in six cases); one patient needed a redo hemispherotomy. Mortality was nil; disseminated intravascular coagulation and interstitial pneumonia occurred in one patient each; three children had subdural fluid collection. Eight patients (72%) are in the ILAE Class 1 (completely seizure and aura free), two in Class 2 (only auras, no seizure), and one in Class 3 (1-3 seizure days per year). AEDs discontinuation was possible in 73% of cases. The most important news from the literature concerned the pathogenesis (role of the mutation of the GNAQ gene in the abnormal SWS vasculogenesis), the clinical findings (the features and pathogenesis of the stroke-like episodes are being understood), the diagnostic tools (quantitative MRI and EEG), and both the medical (migraine, seizures) and surgical management (epilepsy). The epileptic outcome of SWS patients is very good (80% are seizure-free), if compared with other hemispheric syndromes. The quality of life is affected by the neurological and cognitive deficits.

CONCLUSIONS

SWS still is an etiological and clinical challenge. However, the improvements over the time are consistent. In particular, the neurosurgical treatment of refractory epilepsy provides very good results as long as the indication to treatment is correct.

Headache in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome - Prevalence, associations and impact

BACKGROUND

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a congenital neurovascular disorder characterised by capillary-venous malformations involving the skin, brain and eye. Patients experience headache, however little is known about its characteristics or associations. We aimed to estimate prevalence, associations and the impact of headache in children with SWS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Case notes of all patients in a national tertiary paediatric SWS clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorised into those with or without a history of headache, with an analysis performed of clinical stigmata of their disease and headache symptomology, associations and treatment. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was undertaken to elicit independent predictors of headache.

RESULTS

37% of patients with SWS (n = 84) reported headaches that were variably associated with seizures, a preceding blow to the head and a minority had migraine features. In those reporting headaches, headaches interfered with daily activities of a quarter of the children and 39% experienced headaches frequently (more than 1/month). Headache was associated with glaucoma and aspirin administration while children with monoplegia and hemiplegia were less likely to have headache.

CONCLUSIONS

Headache is common in children with SWS, often without classical migraine features and affects daily activities. Awareness of headache and its associations in SWS may improve management of this complex population.

Neurological Complications of Sturge-Weber Syndrome: Current Status and Unmet Needs

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify the current status and major unmet needs in the management of neurological complications in Sturge-Weber syndrome.

METHODS

An expert panel consisting of neurologists convened during the Sturge-Weber Foundation Clinical Care Network conference in September 2018. Literature regarding current treatment strategies for neurological complications was reviewed.

RESULTS

Although strong evidence-based standards are lacking, the implementation of consensus-based standards of care and outcome measures to be shared across all Sturge-Weber Foundation Clinical Care Network Centers are needed. Each patient with Sturge-Weber syndrome should have an individualized seizure action plan. There is a need to determine the appropriate abortive and preventive treatment of migraine headaches in Sturge-Weber syndrome. Likewise, a better understanding and better diagnostic modalities and treatments are needed for stroke-like episodes. As behavioral problems are common, the appropriate screening tools for mental illnesses and the timing for screening should be established. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) preferably done after age one year is the primary imaging modality of choice to establish the diagnosis, although advances in MRI techniques can improve presymptomatic diagnosis to identify patients eligible for preventive drug trials.

CONCLUSION

We identified the unmet needs in the management of neurological complications in Sturge-Weber syndrome. We define a minimum standard brain MRI protocol to be used by Sturge-Weber syndrome centers. Future multicenter clinical trials on specific treatments of Sturge-Weber syndrome-associated neurological complications are needed. An improved national clinical database is critically needed to understand its natural course, and for retrospective and prospective measures of treatment efficacy.

A Multidisciplinary Consensus for Clinical Care and Research Needs for Sturge-Weber Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Sturge-Weber syndrome is a neurocutaneous disorder associated with port-wine birthmark, leptomeningeal capillary malformations, and glaucoma. It is associated with an unpredictable clinical course. Because of its rarity and complexity, many physicians are unaware of the disease and its complications. A major focus moving ahead will be to turn knowledge gaps and unmet needs into new research directions.

METHODS

On October 1-3, 2017, the Sturge-Weber Foundation assembled clinicians from the Clinical Care Network with patients from the Patient Engagement Network of the Sturge-Weber Foundation to identify our current state of knowledge, knowledge gaps, and unmet needs.

RESULTS

One clear unmet need is a need for consensus guidelines on care and surveillance. It was strongly recommended that patients be followed by multidisciplinary clinical teams with life-long follow-up for children and adults to monitor disease progression in the skin, eye, and brain. Standardized neuroimaging modalities at specified time points are needed together with a stronger clinicopathologic understanding. Uniform tissue banking and clinical data acquisition strategies are needed with cross-center, longitudinal studies that will set the stage for new clinical trials. A better understanding of the pathogenic roles of cerebral calcifications and stroke-like symptoms is a clear unmet need with potentially devastating consequences.

CONCLUSIONS

Biomarkers capable of predicting disease progression will be needed to advance new therapeutic strategies. Importantly, how to deal with the emotional and psychological effects of Sturge-Weber syndrome and its impact on quality of life is a clear unmet need.

Current Therapeutic Options in Sturge-Weber Syndrome

Sturge-Weber syndrome is a vascular malformation syndrome consisting of a facial port-wine birthmark associated with malformed leptomeningeal blood vessels and a choroid "angioma" of the eye. It is a rare neurocutaneous disorder that occurs sporadically, is not inherited, and is caused by a somatic mosaic mutation in GNAQ. In patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome, brain involvement typically presents in infancy with seizures, strokes, and stroke-like episodes, and a range of neurologic impairments. Standard treatment includes laser therapy for the birthmark, control of glaucoma through eyedrops or surgery, and the use of anticonvulsants. Increasingly low-dose aspirin is offered. Treatment with propranolol has been tried generally without the dramatic results seen in hemangiomas. Treatment with an anticonvulsant or low-dose aspirin or both before the onset of seizures is an option. Surgical resection may be offered to those whose seizures are medically refractory. Endocrine, medical rehabilitation and cognitive comorbidities are important to manage. In the future, new therapeutic options are likely to be offered stemming from preclinical studies and small pilot clinical trials currently ongoing. Discovery of the causative somatic mosaic mutation suggests new insights into the pathophysiology of this vascular malformation disorder, and potential novel treatment strategies for future study. The mutation results in constitutive overactivation of the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK and the HIPPO-YAP pathways and inhibitors of these pathways may in the future prove useful in the treatment of Sturge-Weber syndrome.

[Formula: see text]Intellectual and adaptive functioning in Sturge-Weber Syndrome

The present study examined the intellectual and adaptive functioning in a sample of children and young adults with Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS). A total of 80 research participants from a SWS study database underwent full neurological evaluation as part of their participation or concurrent medical care. Twenty-nine of the participants received neuropsychological evaluations. Analyses indicated no significant demographic or neurological differences between those who did and did not receive neuropsychological evaluations. Overall, the neuropsychological evaluation sample displayed significantly lower functioning relative to published normative data across domains of intellectual and adaptive functioning. Thirty-two percent of the sample displayed impaired performance (standard score ≤ 75) in intellectual functioning and 58% displayed impaired performance in adaptive functioning. Hemiparesis status independently predicted overall adaptive functioning while seizure frequency independently predicted overall intellectual functioning. Younger participants displayed significantly higher (more intact) ratings in adaptive functioning compared to older participants, specifically in overall adaptive functioning, motor skills, and community living skills. A composite measure of neurological status (SWS-NRS) incorporating seizure and hemiparesis status effectively distinguished between individuals with impaired or nonimpaired adaptive and intellectual functioning and showed promise as a screening method for identifying individuals with more involved intellectual and/or adaptive needs.

Lamotrigine for intractable migraine-like headaches in Sturge-Weber syndrome

We herein report that naratriptan remarkably improved intractable migraine-like headaches in a patient with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) despite his past history of cerebral infarction. In addition, lamotrigine had a prophylactic effect on his visual aura and headaches. An 18-year-old male patient with SWS had intractable migraine-like headaches every several months from the age of 3years. His migraine-like headaches were characterized by pulsating attacks preceded by left homonymous hemianopsia, which persisted after headache disappearance. In addition, after 14years of age, the pulsating headaches were preceded by photophobia without homonymous hemianopsia and occurred almost daily. Headache pains were not improved by acetaminophen or loxoprofen sodium hydrate. Furthermore, various prophylactic drugs were ineffective. After obtaining informed consent, naratriptan was administered. The pain severity was reduced and the duration of headache with homonymous hemianopsia was shortened from several days to several hours. Interestingly, naratriptan also shortened the duration of homonymous hemianopsia to several hours. We confirmed that his headache attacks were not epileptic seizures by ictal electroencephalography. However, 25mg/day of lamotrigine had a prophylactic effect on the frequency of headache. Moreover, lamotrigine led to complete remission of his headache without homonymous hemianopsia. Lamotrigine may have an advantage in terms of reducing the risk of cerebrovascular disease caused by migraine-like headaches and the use of triptans. The most effective management for migraine-like headaches in patients with SWS has not been established. Lamotrigine is a potentially effective option for patients with SWS with migraine-like headaches.

Sturge-weber syndrome

OPINION STATEMENT

We try to see the babies prior to the onset of symptoms so that their parents can receive anticipatory guidance regarding seizures and how to recognize and respond to them and so that proper referrals to ophthalmology can be made. If there is any concern on history, exam, or EEG then we obtain a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast. If presymptomatic diagnosis of brain involvement is made then treatment with low-dose aspirin is offered and if the brain involvement is extensively bilateral then an anticonvulsant such as levetiracetam is offered as well. Seizures are treated aggressively with a goal of obtaining and maintaining complete seizure suppression as much as possible often with a combination of low-dose aspirin and two anticonvulsants such as levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine. For many patients, this will provide adequate control of their seizures and stroke-like episodes. If the patient fails medical management and seizures are regular and accompanied by plateaued development, significant hemiparesis and visual field deficit and the patient is unilaterally involved and a surgical candidate then surgical management is urged. When the seizures are less regular, little or no hemiparesis or visual field deficit exist, and development is reasonable then this decision is more difficult. For bilaterally involved patients surgery is usually not a good option unless seizures are very severe and mostly coming from one side. Other therapeutic options include the ketogenic/Atkins diet and vagal nerve stimulator although in our experience these usually do not result in cessation of seizures. Endocrine problems occur with increased frequency and must be treated when they are present. The recent discovery of the somatic mutation causing Sturge-Weber syndrome holds promise for new treatment options in the future.

Updates and future horizons on the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of Sturge-Weber syndrome brain involvement

AIM

To review recent developments in the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS).

METHOD

Members of the Brain Vascular Malformation Consortium Sturge-Weber Syndrome National Workgroup contributed their expertise to review the literature and present promising directions for research.

RESULTS

The increasing number of reports dealing with SWS over the last decade reflects progress in the diagnosis and understanding of the neurological involvement. The proliferation of centers and advocacy groups to care for patients with SWS and to stimulate research has aided the development of new insights into the clinical manifestations and the pathophysiology of neurological progression, and the development of novel hypotheses to direct future research. Many key questions remain, but the tools and networks to answer them are being developed.

INTERPRETATION

This review summarizes important new knowledge and presents new research directions that are likely to provide further insights, earlier diagnosis, improved treatments, and possibly, prevention of this syndrome.

Presentation, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of the neurological features of Sturge-Weber syndrome

BACKGROUND

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a neurovascular disorder with a capillary malformation of the face (port-wine birthmark), a capillary-venous malformation in the eye, and a capillary-venous malformation in the brain (leptomeningeal angioma). Although SWS is a congenital disorder usually presenting in infancy, occasionally neurological symptoms first present in adulthood and most affected individuals do survive into adulthood with varying degrees of neurological impairment including epilepsy, hemiparesis, visual field deficits, and cognitive impairments ranging from mild learning disabilities to severe deficits. SWS is a multisystem disorder that requires the neurologist to be aware of the possible endocrine, psychiatric, ophthalmologic, and other medical issues that can arise and impact the neurological status of these patients. Some of these clinical features have only recently been described.

REVIEW SUMMARY

This review summarizes the neurological manifestations of SWS, discusses issues related to the diagnosis of brain involvement, relates major neuroimaging findings, briefly describes the current understanding of pathogenesis, and provides an overview of neurological treatment strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent clinical research has highlighted several novel and lesser-known aspects of this clinical syndrome including endocrine disorders. Functional imaging studies and clinical experience suggests that neurological progression results primarily from impaired blood flow and that prolonged seizures may contribute to this process. Treatment is largely symptomatic although aggressive efforts to prevent seizures and strokes, in young children especially, may impact outcome.

Survey of aspirin use in Sturge-Weber syndrome

Sturge-Weber syndrome is a rare congenital disorder. Seizures, stroke-like episodes, glaucoma, headache, and developmental delay are frequently associated features. An Internet-based questionnaire was designed to assess the frequency of use, effectiveness, and safety of aspirin treatment in Sturge-Weber syndrome. Thirty-four of 98 subjects who completed the survey reported having used aspirin. The mean number of reported stroke-like episodes was reduced from 1.1 to 0.3 per month in the year after starting aspirin (n = 26, p = .014). The median number of seizures was significantly reduced from 3 to 1 episodes per month (n = 21, p = .002). Thirty-nine percent of subjects reported a history of complications (predominantly increased bruising or gum/nose bleeding) while on aspirin; however, none reported discontinuing aspirin because of side effects. Our study showed a significant relative reduction in both self-reported seizure frequency and stroke-like episodes after starting aspirin. It also suggests that low-dose aspirin can be safely used in these patients.

Neuropsychological features and risk factors in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome: four case reports

Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS) is a rare neurocutaneous disorder involving facial capillary malformation (port-wine birthmark) and vascular malformation of the brain that is frequently associated with epilepsy, stroke-like episodes, cognitive deficits, motor impairment, and/or visual field cut. The four cases presented here (ages 8-9, two females) illustrate the broad range of physiologic involvement and associated neuropsychological functioning in SWS, and argue against the idea of a "typical" SWS neuropsychological presentation. Rather, we highlight a preliminary collection of disease status/severity factors thought to impact neuropsychological presentation in SWS, including degree of cortical involvement (unilateral versus bilateral; posterior only versus posterior/anterior), age at time of seizure onset, extent of seizure control, history of stroke-like episodes, and magnitude of neurologic decline/deficit. We discuss the need for broad-based assessment in this medical population, as various impairment combinations (e.g., perceptual, language, executive) create unique presentations as well as the need for individualized intervention.