Gaucher disease: spectrum of sonographic findings in the liver

Natural history and management of liver dysfunction in lysosomal storage disorders

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSD) are a rare group of genetic disorders. The major LSDs that cause liver dysfunction are disorders of sphingolipid lipid storage [Gaucher disease (GD) and Niemann-Pick disease] and lysosomal acid lipase deficiency [cholesteryl ester storage disease and Wolman disease (WD)]. These diseases can cause significant liver problems ranging from asymptomatic hepatomegaly to cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Abnormal storage cells initiate hepatic fibrosis in sphingolipid disorders. Dyslipidemia causes micronodular cirrhosis in lipid storage disorders. These disorders must be keenly differentiated from other chronic liver diseases and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis that affect children and young adults. GD, Niemann-Pick type C, and WD also cause neonatal cholestasis and infantile liver failure. Genotype and liver phenotype correlation is variable in these conditions. Patients with LSD may survive up to 4-5 decades except for those with neonatal onset disease. The diagnosis of all LSD is based on enzymatic activity, tissue histology, and genetic testing. Enzyme replacement is possible in GD and Niemann-Pick types A and B though there are major limitations in the outcome. Those that progress invariably require liver transplantation with variable outcomes. The prognosis of Niemann-Pick type C and WD is universally poor. Enzyme replacement therapy has a promising role in cholesteryl ester storage disease. This review attempts to outline the natural history of these disorders from a hepatologist’s perspective to increase awareness and facilitate better management of these rare disorders.

Liver involvement in patients with Gaucher disease types I and III

Background & aims

Gaucher disease (GD) is a multisystemic disease. Liver involvement in GD is not well characterised and ranges from hepatomegaly to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We aim to describe, and assess the effect of treatment, on the hepatic phenotype of a cohort of patients with GD types I and II.

Methods

Retrospective study based on the review of the medical files of the Gaucher Reference Centre of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil. Data from all GD types I and III patients seen at the centre since 2003 were analysed. Variables were compared as pre- (“baseline”) and post-treatment (“follow-up”).

Results

Forty-two patients (types I: 39, III: 3; female: 22; median age: 35 y; enzyme replacement therapy: 37; substrate reduction therapy: 2; non-treated: 3; median time on treatment-MTT: 124 months) were included. Liver enzyme abnormalities, hepatomegaly, and steatosis at baseline were seen in 19/28 (68%), 28/42 (67%), and 3/38 patients (8%), respectively; at follow-up, 21/38 (55%), 15/38 (39%) and 15/38 (39%). MRI iron quantification showed overload in 7/8 patients (treated: 7; MTT: 55 months), being severe in 2/7 (treated: 2/2; MTT: 44.5 months). Eight patients had liver biopsy (treated: 6; MTT: 58 months), with fibrosis in 3 (treated: 1; time on treatment: 108 months) and steatohepatitis in 2 (treated: 2; time on treatment: 69 and 185 months). One patient developed hepatocellular carcinoma.

Conclusions

GD is a heterogeneous disease that causes different patterns of liver damage even during treatment. Although treatment improves the hepatocellular damage, it is associated with an increased rate of steatosis. This study highlights the importance of a follow-up of liver integrity in these patients.

Imaging of non-neuronopathic Gaucher disease: recent advances in quantitative imaging and comprehensive assessment of disease involvement

Gaucher disease is an inherited metabolic disorder resulting in deficiency of lysosomal enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase causing the accumulation of abnormal macrophages (“Gaucher cells”) within multiple organs, most conspicuously affecting the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. As the most common glycolipid metabolism disorder, it is important for radiologists encountering these patients to be familiar with advances in imaging of organ and bone marrow involvement and understand the role of imaging in clinical decision-making. The recent advent of commercially available, reliable, and reproducible quantitative MRI acquisitions to measure fat fractions prompts revisiting the role of quantitative assessment of bone marrow involvement. This manuscript reviews the diverse imaging manifestations of Gaucher disease and discusses more optimal quantitative approaches to ascertain solid organ and bone marrow involvement with an emphasis on future applications of other quantitative methods including elastography.

Diffuse Liver Diseases: Role of imaging

Nowadays, the most common imaging techniques allow to study focal liver lesions with high diagnostic accuracy but a relatively recent emerging field of interest is represented by diffuse liver disease. They include a variegated series of storage and metabolic pathologies (ie, iron overload disorders and steatosis) requiring a precise diagnosis not always possible at imaging due to the overlapping of findings at conventional ultrasound, CT, or MR studies. In recent years, several imaging tecniques and specific softwares have been developed, especially for ultrasound and MR imaging, in order to identify different parameters useful in the noninvasive recognition and follow-up of these diffuse processes involving the liver. The aim of this article is to describe the most common and useful imaging findings of the most common and uncommon diffuse liver diseases illustrating the newest imaging technologies and developments at our disposal with corresponding advantages, limitations, and pitfalls.

Gaucher disease in the liver on hepatocyte specific contrast agent enhanced MR imaging

Gaucher disease is a hereditary lipid storage disorder that affects the enzyme beta glucocerebrosidase, causing accumulation of glucocerebroside in macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system. Accumulation can occur in the liver and spleen, manifesting as hepatosplenomegaly, as well as within the bone marrow. Hepatic involvement is usually diffuse but can occasionally manifest as focal liver lesions. We present a case of a 2-year-old boy with Gaucher disease and an infiltrating liver lesion detected on imaging, which was pathologically shown to be focal changes related to the disease. Imaging characteristics of this lesion using hepatocyte specific contrast agent enhanced MRI, which have not been previously discussed in the literature, are described.

Mandibular and dental manifestations of Gaucher disease

Gaucher disease is a systemic lysosomal storage disorder with a high prevalence among Ashkenazi Jews. It is caused by an inherited deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Common signs and symptoms include hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and skeletal involvement. Oral and dental manifestations are less commonly seen. These manifestations are often asymptomatic, although they may be detected by routine dental x-rays. There are several case reports and a few larger series published describing patients with Gaucher disease who have mandibulo-maxillofacial involvement. This review aims to examine the oral manifestations observed in Gaucher disease and to suggest practical guidelines for dealing with these often worrisome signs. Among the critical issues are the benign nature of Gaucher cell infiltration of the mandible and the critical importance of being prepared for postprocedure bleeding and/or infections. Therefore, it is essential that dental practitioners be aware of the possible oral and dental complications of Gaucher disease, as well as the available treatment modalities.