Case report: Characterization of a rare pathogenic variant associated with loss of COL3A1 expression in vascular Ehlers Danlos syndrome

The vascular subtype of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (vEDS) is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by spontaneous arterial, bowel or organ rupture. The diagnosis of vEDS is established in a proband by identification of a heterozygous pathogenic variant in the alpha-1 gene of type III collagen (COL3A1) by molecular analysis. In this report, we present a case of vEDS with life threatening, spontaneous arterial dissections in association with an uncharacterized rare variant of COL3A1, exon19:c.1340G > A. Primary culture of patient skin fibroblasts followed by immunofluorescence revealed a complete absence of COL3A1 protein expression as well as altered morphology. Electron microscopy of the cultured fibroblasts showed abnormal vacuoles in the cytoplasm suggestive of a secretory defect. In this study, we have performed functional characterization of the COL3A1 exon19:c.1340G > A variant for the first time and this may now be classified as likely pathogenic in vEDS.

Conservative Treatment in Two Patients With Spontaneous Hepatic Artery Dissection

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous dissection of the hepatic artery is a rare finding for which there is no specific treatment algorithm. Even though endovascular treatment and surgery have been used to treat other visceral artery dissections, these approaches can be challenging in the case of hepatic artery dissection because it is difficult to access the hepatic artery.

CASE SUMMARY

2 patients with spontaneous dissection of the hepatic artery were admitted due to epigastric pain. Although the liver function test results were normal, and there were no complications such as bleeding, shock, or ischemia in other organs, a subsequent computed tomography scan directly revealed the spontaneous dissection of the hepatic artery in both patients. The patients were treated with anticoagulants without surgery. Because it is difficult to perform surgery or endovascular treatment on the hepatic artery, we focused on preventing the progression of hepatic artery dissection and the formation of a new thrombus in the dissection.

CONCLUSION

Considering the risk of surgical treatment for the hepatic artery and the condition of the patients, medical treatment with anticoagulants may be considered as an initial treatment and provide more benefits than surgical treatment.

Case report of Modified Viabahn Open Revascularization TEChnique (VORTEC) as a rescue strategy for hepatic artery dissection after initial endovascular treatment of postpancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage

RATIONALE

Currently endovascular treatments are commonly utilized to treat postpancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage. However, when endovascular procedure went wrong, open surgery with ligation of the culprit vessels would be the most common salvage method. With Modified Viabahn Open Revascularization TEChnique (VORTEC), we can try to rescue the vessel without sacrificing it by introduction of another endovascular stent under direct method.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 76-year-old man with stage IIIA ampulla vater adenocarcinoma underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and experience pancreatic leak complicated with postpancreaticoduodenectomy hemorrhage.

DIAGNOSIS

Emergent angiography revealed extravasation from proper hepatic artery.

INTERVENTIONS

A 6 mm Viabahn stent was deployed but no distal runoff. Operation was shifted to emergent laparotomy and revealed intimal dissection of hepatic artery. Modified VORTEC was performed with guidewire redirected to true lumen and another stent was deployed under direct vision.

OUTCOMES

Patient's hepatic artery was preserved and with no consequent liver failure.

LESSON

Modified VORTEC method could be used as salvage strategy for artery dissection after initial endovascular treatment failed.