Adult type I Gaucher disease with splenectomy caused by a compound heterozygous GBA1 mutation in a Chinese patient: a case report

Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive ailment resulting from glucocerebrosidase deficiency caused by a mutation in the GBA1 gene, leading to multi-organ problems in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. In China, GD is extremely uncommon and has a lower incidence rate than worldwide. In this study, we report the case of an adult male with an enlarged spleen for 13 years who presented with abdominal distension, severe loss of appetite and weight, reduction of the three-line due to hypersplenism, frequent nosebleeds, and bloody stools. Regrettably, the unexpected discovery of splenic pathology suggestive of splenic Gaucher disease was only made after a splenectomy due to a lack of knowledge about rare disorders. Our patient's delayed diagnosis may have been due to the department where he was originally treated, but it highlights the need for multidisciplinary consultation in splenomegaly of unknown etiology. We then investigated the patient's clinical phenotypes and gene mutation features using genetically phenotypical analysis. The analysis of the GBA1 gene sequence indicated that the patient carried a compound heterozygous mutation consisting of two potentially disease-causing mutations: c.907C > A (p. Leu303Ile) and c.1448 T > C (p. Leu483Pro). While previous research has linked the p. Leu483Pro mutation site to neurologic GD phenotypes (GD2 and GD3), the patients in this investigation were identified as having non-neuronopathic GD1. The other mutation, p. Leu303Ile, is a new GD-related mutation not indexed in PubMed that enriches the GBA1 gene mutation spectrum. Biosignature analysis has shown that both mutations alter the protein's three-dimensional structure, which may be a pathogenic mechanism for GD1 in this patient.

Prevalence and predictors of liver fibrosis evaluated by vibration controlled transient elastography in type 1 Gaucher disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Long-term liver-related complications of Gaucher disease (GD) include cirrhosis, portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although liver fibrosis is the main determinant of adverse liver-related clinical outcomes, it has rarely been evaluated in previously published cohorts of GD patients. We aimed at: assessing the prevalence of significant liver fibrosis in a cohort of patients with type 1 GD; identifying its predictors among GD-related variables, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and metabolic features.

METHODS

37 adult type 1 GD patients from two Italian academic referral centers were prospectively submitted to vibration controlled transient elastography (Fibroscan®); significant fibrosis was defined as liver stiffness ≥7 kPa.

RESULTS

Median liver stiffness was 4.6 [3-15.1] kPa and 7 patients (19%) had significant fibrosis. Significant fibrosis was associated with splenectomy (p = .046) and with scores (DS3: p = .002; SSI: p = .026) and biomarkers (ACE: p = .016; HDL cholesterol: p = .004) of GD severity. Length of ERT was significantly lower in GD patients with significant fibrosis. In the subgroup of 29 patients who were on stable ERT for at least 24 months, further to splenectomy, GD severity and non-N370S GBA1 genotypes, also diastolic blood pressure, BMI and the number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) components emerged as factors significantly associated with significant fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant fibrosis is present in a remarkable proportion of adult type 1 GD patients. Splenectomy, GD severity and GBA1 genotypes are major GD-related predictors of liver fibrosis. Length of ERT is inversely correlated with liver disease in GD patients, suggesting a beneficial effect of ERT on liver fibrosis. However, GD patients on stable ERT should be monitored for metabolic complications, since MetS features may enhance liver disease progression despite optimal GD control.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Gaucher disease

BACKGROUND

Gaucher disease is the most common lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Current treatment of the disease involves a choice from enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction therapy and hemotopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). HSCT is a high risk procedure with possible long-term benefits in the regression of skeletal and neurological changes in people with Gaucher disease. This is an update of a previously published Cochrane Review.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the role of HSCT in people with Gaucher disease in relation to: mortality risk associated with the procedure; efficacy in modifying the course of the disease; and arrest or regression of neurological manifestations in neuronopathic forms (types 2 and 3).

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Inborn Errors of Metabolism Trials Register which comprises of references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings.Date of the most recent search of the Group's Haemoglobinopathies Trials Register: 19 January 2017.We also searched the websites: www.clinicaltrials.gov; WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform portal and www.genzymeclinicalresearch.com. Date of most recent search of these sites: 02 March 2017.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised, quasi-randomised and controlled clinical trials comparing stem cell transplantation with enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction therapy, symptomatic treatment or no treatment in people with Gaucher disease of all ages.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We independently assessed trials for inclusion, however, no relevant trials were identified.

MAIN RESULTS

Thirty two trials were identified by the searches; however, these were not suitable for inclusion in the review.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

HSCT is a form of treatment that offers the potential of permanent cure. However, there are no clinical trials that have assessed the safety and efficacy of this treatment in comparison to other conservative measures (enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction therapy) now in use.There are no trials included in the review and we have not identified any relevant trials up to March 2017. We therefore do not plan to update this review until new trials are published.

Liver fibrosis in type I Gaucher disease: magnetic resonance imaging, transient elastography and parameters of iron storage

Long term liver-related complications of type-1 Gaucher disease (GD), a lysosomal storage disorder, include fibrosis and an increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Splenectomy has been implicated as a risk factor for the development of liver pathology in GD. High ferritin concentrations are a feature of GD and iron storage in Gaucher cells has been described, but iron storage in the liver in relation to liver fibrosis has not been studied. Alternatively, iron storage in GD may be the result of iron supplementation therapy or regular blood transfusions in patients with severe cytopenia. In this pilot study, comprising 14 type-1 GD patients (7 splenectomized, 7 non-splenectomized) and 7 healthy controls, we demonstrate that liver stiffness values, measured by Transient Elastography and MR-Elastography, are significantly higher in splenectomized GD patients when compared with non-splenectomized GD patients (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively). Liver iron concentration was elevated (>60±30 µmol/g) in 4 GD patients of whom 3 were splenectomized. No relationship was found between liver stiffness and liver iron concentration. HFE gene mutations were more frequent in splenectomized (6/7) than in non-splenectomized (2/7) participants (p = 0.10). Liver disease appeared more advanced in splenectomized than in non-splenectomized patients. We hypothesize a relationship with excessive hepatic iron accumulation in splenectomized patients. We recommend that all splenectomized patients, especially those with evidence of substantial liver fibrosis undergo regular screening for HCC, according to current guidelines.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Gaucher disease

BACKGROUND

Gaucher disease is the most common lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Current treatment of the disease involves a choice among enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction therapy and stem cell transplantation. Stem cell transplantation is a high risk procedure with possible long-term benefits in the regression of skeletal and neurological changes in people with Gaucher disease.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in people with Gaucher disease in relation to: mortality risk associated with the procedure; efficacy in modifying the course of the disease; and arrest or regression of neurological manifestations in neuropathic forms (Types 2 and 3).

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Inborn Errors of Metabolism Trials Register which comprises of references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings.Date of the most recent search of the Group's Haemoglobinopathies Trials Register: 26 March 2012.We also searched the websites www.clinicaltrials.gov and www.genzymeclinicalresearch.com. Date of most recent search of these sites: 16 February 2012.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised, quasi-randomised and controlled clinical trials comparing stem cell transplantation with enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction therapy, symptomatic treatment or no treatment in people with Gaucher disease of all ages.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We independently assessed trials for inclusion, however, no relevant trials were identified.

MAIN RESULTS

Twelve trials were identified by the searches, however, these were not suitable for inclusion in the review.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Stem cell transplantation is a form of treatment that offers the potential of permanent cure. However, there are no clinical trials that have assessed the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplantation in comparison to other conservative measures (enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction therapy) now in use.

Vertebral fractures in Gaucher disease type I: data from the French "Observatoire" on Gaucher disease (FROG)

Gaucher disease type 1 (GD1), results in a range of skeletal complications including osteopenia, osteoporosis, and osteonecrosis, but there is little published information regarding vertebral fractures. Findings from this observational study indicated that the prevalence of vertebral fractures in a cohort of adult French GD1 patients is approximately 15%.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of vertebral fractures in a cohort of adult patients with GD1.

METHODS

This study was performed in adult patients with GD1 based on a detailed and complete clinical examination. For all patients for whom vertebral fractures were reported, a specific questionnaire was sent to physicians, and imaging data were collected, when available, for centralized analysis.

RESULTS

Data were collected from a total of 105 adult GD1 patients. Bone complications were reported in 85% of patients, among whom vertebral fractures were diagnosed in 16 (15%); seven women and nine men (mean age, 45 years). We observed five patients with multiple vertebral fractures and one patient in whom the T3 vertebra was fractured. Most of these patients did not report fracture-related back pain.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of vertebral fractures in this cohort of adult patients with GD1 was 15%. Greater awareness of the natural history of vertebral fractures in GD1, and rigorous monitoring of bone fragility and spine involvement in affected patients, should allow earlier detection and initiation of treatment tailored toward improving bone status.

Type I Gaucher disease (GDI) in three siblings: enzyme replacement treatment (ERT) required

(Full text is available at http://www.manu.edu.mk/prilozi). This is a family of three children, born to healthy Macedonian parents after uneventful pregnancies and delivery. The index child was an eight-year-old girl admitted for abdominal discomfort and distension: the spleen was 14cm below the costal margin (BCM), the liver 8cm BCM. No bone pain or pathology was reported. There was mild pancytopaenia (hemoglobin 11.2 gm/L; WBC counts 4.6 x 10;3; platelets 70 x 10;3). Liver function tests, renal ultrasound, bone scan, and a chest radiograph were within normal limits. Bone marrow analysis in this child and her two brothers (11 and 6.5 years old) revealed Gaucher cells. Both brothers had only mild anaemia, but the older brother had been splenectomized prior to diagnosis of GD1. Enzyme analysis revealed low activity (2.59, 1.62, and 2.55 nmol/h/mg protein, respectively); plasma chitotriosidase levels were also elevated. Genetic testing revealed homozygosity for the N370S/N370S mutation in all three siblings. In the absence of available enzyme replacement treatment (ERT), the girl was splenectomized. Removing an important immune organ (the spleen) introduces further risk for the patients. In addition, this does not solve the bone involvement characteristic for GD. ERT should be introduced for all GD1 patients in Macedonia. Key words: Gaucher disease, N370S mutation, siblings, enzyme replacement therapy.

A patient with parkinsonism related to Gaucher's disease type I successfully treated by unilateral pallidotomy - a 3-year follow-up

Gaucher's disease is the most common hereditary lysosomal storage disorder and presents with a wide clinical spectrum including parkinsonism. We present a patient first diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease at the age of 38 due to left-sided bradykinesia and rigidity. But thereafter the diagnosis of Gaucher's disease type I according to clinical pictures and clinical genetic testing was made. Despite the optimal enzyme replacement therapy, the parkinsonian symptoms worsened. He was referred for consideration for surgical treatment of his severe parkinsonism. At the age of 54 he underwent right-sided posteroventrolateral pallidotomy. The surgery was uneventful and he immediately improved. On the last examination performed 3 years later, he had mild parkinsonism and was independent in all activities of daily living. This case demonstrates a benefit of surgical treatment for genetically proven Gaucher's disease type I.

Gaucher's disease

Gaucher's disease is the most common group of lysosomal storage disorders caused by defective activity of an enzyme beta-glucosidase leading to accumulation of glucocerebroside in cells of macrophage lineage. Accumulation of glucosylceramide in tissues leads to multisystem organ involvement viz. liver, spleen, bone marrow, lungs and central nervous system. Serum beta=glucosidase levels <15% of mean normal activity confirms the diagnosis, enzyme replacement being the only definitive treatment. We report a clinical case of a 21 year male with Gaucher's disease. To the best of our knowledge only six cases of Gaucher's disease have been reported from India so far.

Cementless total hip arthroplasties in Gaucher disease: long-term follow-up

We retrospectively assessed the clinical and radiologic outcomes of 15 primary cementless total hip arthroplasties performed in 12 young adults with type I Gaucher disease. Mean Harris Hip Score was 86.9 points; patient satisfaction was high. There were no serious postoperative complications. Weight-bearing ambulation was immediate. Only 3 hips required revisions. In cases of Gaucher disease, cementless hip arthroplasties are safe and effective. Because patients with chronic metabolic disorders differ from healthy patients with traumatic fractures, the results reported in this article may have implications for nontraumatic hip arthroplasty.

Life expectancy in Gaucher disease type 1

We estimated life expectancy at birth for Gaucher disease type 1 (GD1) patients by comparing survival data from GD1 patients enrolled in ICGG Gaucher Registry to the U.S. population using standard life table methods. 2,876 GD1 patients had 102 reported deaths in 13,509 person-years of follow-up. Estimated life expectancy at birth was 68 y, compared with 77 y in reference population; splenectomized patients, 64 y; nonsplenectomized, 72 y. Causes of death for 63/102 patients were malignancy (17/63), cardiovascular (11/63), and cerebrovascular (8/63). Estimated life expectancy at birth for GD1 patients was approximately 9 y less than reference population. Malignancies did not contribute to shortened life expectancy.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Gaucher disease

BACKGROUND

Gaucher disease is the most common lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Current treatment of the disease involves a choice among enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction therapy and stem cell transplantation. Stem cell transplantation is a high risk procedure with possible long-term benefits in the regression of skeletal and neurological changes in people with Gaucher disease.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in people with Gaucher disease in relation to: mortality risk associated with the procedure; efficacy in modifying the course of the disease; and arrest or regression of neurological manifestations in neuropathic forms (Types 2 and 3).

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Inborn Errors of Metabolism Trials Register which comprises of references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. We also searched the websites www.clinicaltrials.gov and www.genzymeclinicalresearch.com.Date of the most recent search of the Group's Trials Register: June 2008.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised, quasi-randomised and controlled clinical trials comparing stem cell transplantation with enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction therapy, symptomatic treatment or no treatment in people with Gaucher disease of all ages.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We independently assessed trials for inclusion, however, no relevant trials were identified.

MAIN RESULTS

Eight trials were identified by the initial search, however, these were not suitable for inclusion in the review.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Stem cell transplantation is a form of treatment that offers the potential of permanent cure. However, there are no clinical trials that have assessed the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplantation in comparison to other conservative measures (enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction therapy) now in use.

Outcome of enzyme replacement therapy in patients with Gaucher disease type I. The Romanian experience

AIM

This study reports the first evaluation of therapeutic response in Romanian patients with Gaucher disease type I, after therapy with Cerezyme recently became available in our country.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

24 patients (11-50 years) received Cerezyme 20-60 U/kg every two weeks for at least 18 months. Haemoglobin, platelet count, volume of the liver and spleen, plasma chitotriosidase and the severity score were assessed every 6 months; skeletal radiography and osteodensitometry were also monitored.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were splenectomized before start of therapy. Eight patients had anaemia (mean haemoglobin 9.4 g/dl) and 14 patients, of whom 13 were without splenectomy, had thrombocytopenia (mean 65,692/mm3). Haemoglobin values normalized after 6 months and the platelet count increased to 147,818/mm3 after 18 months of treatment. Splenomegaly improved (mean 13.8x to 5.6x normal), hepatomegaly improved (mean 1.4x to 1.06x normal), the severity score decreased (mean 15.9 to 8.4), plasma chitotriosidase levels showed a reduction from 40,956 to 11,266 nmol/h per ml plasma. Bone disease improved clinically in all patients; bone radiography and osteodensitometry showed no further disease progress. We observed a mean weight gain of 4.3 kg, an improvement in quality of life, and the absence of therapeutic adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Enzyme replacement therapy administered for 18 months in Romanian patients with Gaucher disease type I led to a marked improvement in haematological parameters and hepato- and splenomegaly. In the majority of patients we observed no further progress of bone disease; for an improvement in skeletal disease, a longer treatment period is required.

Gaucher's disease: report of 4 cases

Review of records for last 5 years has shown 4 cases of Type I Gaucher's disease in our institute. The cases were diagnosed on bone marrow aspiration, examination of splenectomy specimen, liver biopsy and post mortem in one case. The age range was 2 years to 22 years. Male to female ratio was 3:1. Splenectomy was performed in one case and one case received enzyme replacement therapy with high dose, low frequency regimen for six months without any favorable effect. All were Hindus. Family history of similarly affected and treated twin brother was available in one case. The predominant clinical presentation was pancytopenia and splenohepatomegaly with splenomegaly greater than hepatomegaly. Remarkable constitutional inferiority was noted in one case, which succumbed to death following acute illness and bleeding diathesis. Post mortem performed showed infiltration of spleen and liver with Gaucher cells, fibrosis and myeloid metaplasia in liver and lung.

Effect of treatment on biclonal gammopathy associated with Gaucher disease

The non-random association of Gaucher disease with polyclonal and monoclonal gammopathy has been known since 1950. The effect of treatment on monoclonal gammopathy is not well documented. We report on the long-term evolution of a biclonal gammopathy in a patient with type I Gaucher disease who was treated with splenectomy and enzyme replacement therapy. A 44-year-old man presented with hepatomegaly and massive splenomegaly. Bone marrow aspirate contained typical Gaucher cells and beta-glucosidase was low in peripheral blood leukocytes. Mutations N370S and R120W were detected. Serum protein electrophoresis disclosed two spikes in gammaglobulins. Immunofixation identified two monoclonal components: IgG kappa and IgA kappa. Gammaglobulin concentration was 31.6 g/L. A splenectomy was performed on September 2003 because of massive splenomegaly (9500 g). Two months after the splenectomy, gammaglobulin concentration was 25.2 g/L. Enzyme replacement therapy (Cerezyme 45 UI/kg every two weeks) was prescribed from April 2004 because of significant hepatomegaly and cholestasis. In April 2007 (3 years after the beginning of treatment), serum electrophoresis showed the persistence of two spikes with gammaglobulin concentration at 20.5 g/L. Simultaneously, chitotriosidase activity decreased from 6181 to 2877 nkat/L. Our observation and previous reports suggest that enzyme replacement therapy is more effective in polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia than in monoclonal gammopathy.

Real-time image-guided direct convective perfusion of intrinsic brainstem lesions. Technical note

Recent preclinical studies have demonstrated that convection-enhanced delivery (CED) can be used to perfuse the brain and brainstem with therapeutic agents while simultaneously tracking their distribution using coinfusion of a surrogate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging tracer. The authors describe a technique for the successful clinical application of this drug delivery and monitoring paradigm to the brainstem. Two patients with progressive intrinsic brainstem lesions (one with Type 2 Gaucher disease and one with a diffuse pontine glioma) were treated with CED of putative therapeutic agents mixed with Gd-diethylenetriamene pentaacetic acid (DTPA). Both patients underwent frameless stereotactic placement of MR imaging-compatible outer guide-inner infusion cannulae. Using intraoperative MR imaging, accurate cannula placement was confirmed and real-time imaging during infusion clearly demonstrated progressive filling of the targeted region with the drug and Gd-DTPA infusate. Neither patient had clinical or imaging evidence of short- or long-term infusate-related toxicity. Using this technique, CED can be used to safely perfuse targeted regions of diseased brainstem with therapeutic agents. Coinfused imaging surrogate tracers can be used to monitor and control the distribution of therapeutic agents in vivo. Patients with a variety of intrinsic brainstem and other central nervous system disorders may benefit from a similar treatment paradigm.

Image-guided, direct convective delivery of glucocerebrosidase for neuronopathic Gaucher disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine if convection-enhanced delivery (CED) of glucocerebrosidase could be used to treat targeted sites of disease progression in the brain and brainstem of a patient with neuronopathic Gaucher disease while monitoring enzyme distribution using MRI.

METHODS

A CED paradigm in rodents (n = 8) and primates (n = 5) that employs co-infusion of a surrogate MRI tracer (gadolinium diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid [Gd-DTPA]) with glucocerebrosidase to permit real-time monitoring of distribution was developed. The safety and feasibility of this delivery and monitoring paradigm were evaluated in a patient with type 2 Gaucher disease.

RESULTS

Animal studies revealed that real-time, T1-weighted, MRI of Gd-DTPA accurately tracked enzyme distribution during CED. Targeted perfusion of clinically affected anatomic sites in a patient with neuronopathic Gaucher disease (frontal lobe and brainstem) with glucocerebrosidase was successfully performed. Real-time MRI revealed progressive and complete filling of the targeted region with enzyme and Gd-DTPA infusate. The patient tolerated the infusions without evidence of toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Convection-enhanced delivery can be used to safely perfuse large regions of the brain and brainstem with therapeutic levels of glucocerebrosidase. Co-infused imaging surrogate tracers can be used to monitor and control the distribution of therapeutic agents in vivo. Patients with neuronopathic Gaucher disease and other intrinsic CNS disorders may benefit from a similar treatment paradigm.

Aggregation of red blood cells in patients with Gaucher disease

Gaucher disease is associated with increased red blood cell (RBC) aggregation, but the pathophysiological significance of this phenomenon and its correlation with disease manifestations are unclear. RBC aggregation was evaluated in 43 patients with Gaucher disease and 53 healthy controls. Dynamic RBC aggregation was examined in a narrow-gap flow chamber at varying shear stress. Compared with the controls, RBC aggregation in Gaucher disease was increased by 25%. Comparison of RBC aggregation in autologous plasma and in dextran (500 kDa) showed an increase both in plasma-dependent (extrinsic) and -independent (intrinsic) RBC aggregation. Subgroup analysis revealed that increased RBC aggregation was limited to patients with an intact spleen. RBC aggregation in patients did not correlate with plasma fibrinogen concentration, disease severity, enzyme replacement therapy or genotype. We conclude that RBC aggregation is increased in patients with Gaucher disease and an intact spleen, possibly reflecting the accumulation of glucocerebroside and other substances in the plasma and RBC membranes of these patients. Our results do not support a role for RBC aggregation in the pathogenesis of vascular complications of Gaucher disease.

Therapeutic goals in Gaucher disease

Evidence-based therapeutic goals have been developed by several European and American experts in Gaucher disease in order to attempt to reverse the entire Type 1 Gaucher phenotype, prevent complications, improve quality of life and prevent life-threatening complications. Patients with Gaucher disease will benefit by maximum enzyme replacement treatment (ERT) efficiency if it is given at the optimal time i.e. generally during the asymptomatic phase of the disease. Currently, Cerezyme is the standard of care for all severities of type 1 Gaucher disease due to its high efficiency at ameliorating bleeding tendencies, reversing organomegaly and part of skeletal damages and eliminating bone crises. ERT has also demonstrated a remarkable safety profile with tolerability at 3 years greater than 99%. Treatment of Gaucher disease is a long-life treatment that the patient should not interrupt without a careful monitoring of the disease evolution.

Bone marrow transplantation in patients with storage diseases: a developing country experience

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a therapeutic option for patients with genetic storage diseases. Between 1979 and 2002, eight patients, four females and four males (1 to 13 years old) were submitted to this procedure in our center. Six patients had mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS I in 3; MPS III in one and MPS VI in 2), one had adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) and one had Gaucher disease. Five patients had related and three unrelated BMT donor. Three patients developed graft versus host disease (two MPS I and one MPS VI) and died between 37 and 151 days after transplantation. Five patients survived 4 to 16 years after transplantation. Three patients improved (one MPS I; one MPS VI and the Gaucher disease patient), one patient had no disease progression (ALD) and in one patient this procedure did not change the natural course of the disease (MPS III).

Late postoperative follow-up of patients undergoing subtotal splenectomy

PURPOSE

Over the past 21 years, we have performed more than 200 subtotal splenectomies, in which the upper splenic pole vascularized only by the gastrosplenic pole vascularized only by the gastrosplenic vessels is preserved, to treat different pathologic conditions. A meticulous follow-up of the postoperative results of this procedure is of fundamental importance.

METHODS

All patients undergoing subtotal splenectomy were invited to be reviewed. A total of 86 patients who had undergone surgery 1 to 20 years ago were gathered; the surgical procedure was performed for one of the following conditions: portal hypertension due to schistosomiasis (n = 43), trauma (n = 31), Gaucher's disease (n = 4), myeloid hepatosplenomegaly due to myelofibrosis (n = 3), splenomegalic retarded growth and sexual development (n = 2), severe pain due to splenic ischemia (n = 2) and pancreatic cystadenoma (n = 1). Patients underwent a hematologic exam, an immunologic assessment, abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography, scintigraphy and endoscopy.

RESULTS

Increased white blood cell count and platelets were the only hematological abnormalities. No immunologic deficit was found. Esophageal varices were still present in patients who underwent surgery because of portal hypertension although without rebleeding. The ultrasound, tomography and scintigraphy exams confirmed the presence of functional splenic remnants without significant size alteration.

CONCLUSIONS

Subtotal splenectomy seems to be a safe procedure that can be useful in treating conditions involving the spleen. The functions of the splenic remnants are preserved during long periods of time.

Secondary G-CSF mobilized blood stem cell transplantation without preconditioning in a patient with Gaucher disease: Report of a new approach which resulted in complete reversal of severe skeletal involvement

Gaucher disease has been treated by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), however, severe bone involvement that is probably the most disabling aspect of this disease is difficult to reverse. Other problem of BMT is the use of intensive preconditioning that adversely affects growth and development of the patients. In this study, a patient with type I Gaucher disease was treated by allogeneic BMT from HLA-matched sibling donor. However, the treatment resulted in late graft failure and the patient developed severe bone involvement. Fifty months after the first BMT, the patient was treated by allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation without preconditioning. Recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) was used to mobilize PBSC. Cyclosporine A (CyA) was administered for the prophylaxis of graft-versushost disease (GVHD). Full donor-derived hematopoiesis was obtained, and clinical symptoms including severe bone involvement improved completely with increased glucocerebrosidase activity. It was shown that an engraftment could be obtained without intensive preconditioning when a recipient receives an rhG-CSF-mobilized PBSCs infusion as a secondary transplant. Another important finding of this study is the complete reversal of severe bone involvement by the supply of abundant glucocerebrosidase from high proliferating PBSC graft.

Orthopedic considerations in Gaucher disease since the advent of enzyme replacement therapy

Gaucher disease, the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder, is characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, hypersplenism, and rarely, neurological involvement. The most variable symptoms relate to skeletal disease, and both onset and progression are difficult to predict on the basis of genotype. This review describes findings from a large referral clinic (> 500 patients) and from the literature in the decade since the advent of specific enzyme replacement therapy. Such therapy is effective in reducing visceral and hematological involvement, but its greatest advantage as regards the skeleton is prevention of irreversible damage. Avascular necrosis of the joints-particularly the hips but also the knees and shoulders-and pathological fractures of the long bones including the ribs, as well as episodic "crises' of bone pain in children and young adults, are common manifestations. Various imaging modalities should be performed at baseline for life-long monitoring, and then as required because of specific complaints. Surgical interventions such as joint arthroplasties are important adjuvant treatments in this population; presurgical hematological profiling plus antibiotic cover and postoperative pain control are equally critical. Opportunities for orthopedic consultations with senior surgeons are not abused by our patients. These reflect disease-related morbidity, with greater numbers of requests being made by patients requiring enzyme therapy, who by definition have more severe disease characteristics.

Type I Gaucher disease with severe skeletal destruction, extraosseous extension, and monoclonal gammopathy

Extraosseous extensions of Gaucher-cell deposits simulate malignant diseases. We describe a 65-year-old male with type-I Gaucher disease, confirmed by low leukocyte glucocerebrosidase activity, high plasma chitotriosidase, and N370/L444P gene-mutations, who had severe skeletal involvement, IgG-kappa monoclonal gammopathy, and a soft-tissue mass within the left iliac muscle. Bone marrow biopsy showed heavy infiltration by Gaucher cells, and histopathology of the excised extraosseous mass revealed infiltration by Gaucher cells. Thus, malignant diseases were excluded and the diagnosis of an extraosseous Gaucher-cell extension was well documented. Our case is reported because it is very interesting and unique in the literature.

[Rapidly developing bone destruction in a patient with type 1 Gaucher disease]

The authors report on a 25 year-old male Gaucher patient who developed rapid bone deterioration. The patient was splenectomised at age 3 and had no signs and symptoms of bone involvement for more than 20 years. In addition to the infarction in the right tibia, severe bone necrosis was detected in components of the left hip. This report suggests that bone deterioration may develop insidiously at any time in Gaucher patients, and that long-term and regular follow up is warranted.

Risk factors for osteonecrosis in patients with type 1 Gaucher's disease

This study investigated 51 patients with Type 1 Gaucher's disease clinically and radiographically for the presence of osteonecrosis. Twenty-five female and 26 male patients with a mean age of 37 years were evaluated retrospectively for osteonecrosis of the proximal and distal femur, proximal tibia, and proximal humerus. All patients were examined before enzyme replacement therapy. Gender, age at diagnosis, prior splenectomy, hematocrit, platelet count, acid phosphatase level, radiographs of the long bones, and magnetic resonance quantitative chemical shift imaging of the spine were analyzed to see if any of these values or findings were associated with the presence of osteonecrosis. Splenectomy was an independent risk factor for the presence of osteonecrosis in three of the four major sites and was a multivariate risk factor for osteonecrosis of the proximal femur and tibia. Male gender was the other significant multivariate risk factor for osteonecrosis of the humerus and distal femur when all sites were taken into account.

Splenic "regeneration" after partial splenectomy for Gaucher disease: histological features

Partial splenectomy for Gaucher disease is often followed by reenlargement of the splenic remnant. It remains unclear if this process is due to tissue regeneration or to continued deposition of glucocerebroside in the reticuloendothelial system or both. We compared the splenic architecture before and after reenlargement in three cases of failed repeated partial splenectomy after two, six and five years. Using the number of lymphoid follicles per hundred low power fields (LF/LPF) as an arbitrary index, we found that prior to the first operation 18, 20 and 27 lymphoid follicles were present per one hundred low power fields, while at the second operation, the corresponding rates were 11, 15 and 17; in control spleens, an average of 712.5 lymphoid follicles were present in one hundred low power fields. The difference in the LF/LPF ratio before and after reenlargement, led us to speculate that splenic re-enlargement in Gaucher disease is mainly the result of the continued deposition of the glucocerebroside in the reticuloendothelial system of the splenic remnant, though some degree of true regeneration as well cannot be completely ruled out. These findings are compared with animal studies and results for partial splenectomy on humans, performed for trauma. Further studies in patients with Gaucher disease are warranted to better define the underlying mechanism of splenic reenlargement.

Echocardiographic assessment of pulmonary hypertension in Gaucher's disease

BACKGROUND

Enzyme therapy has been shown to decrease the signs and symptoms of Gaucher's disease. A few patients, however, develop pulmonary hypertension on such treatment. We investigated the frequency of pulmonary hypertension in Gaucher's disease.

METHODS

We studied 134 adults with type 1 Gaucher's disease, including 73 patients on enzyme replacement, with echocardiography. We measured tricuspid incompetence (TI) with continuous-wave doppler. Pulmonary hypertension was indicated by a TI gradient of more than 30 mm Hg.

FINDINGS

Nine (7%) patients had pulmonary hypertension: all were treated and six had undergone splenectomy. Chest radiographs confirmed the presence of pulmonary hypertension in these patients as well as in most patients with TI gradients of 25-29 mm Hg.

INTERPRETATION

The confounding effects of disease severity and splenectomy in many treated patients precluded definitive conclusion of cause and effect. Nonetheless, we found an unexpectedly high rate of pulmonary hypertension and recommended routine echocardiographic monitoring of all treated and untreated patients with type 1 Gaucher's disease. We also suggest consideration of treatment withdrawal if the TI gradient progresses to more than 30 mm Hg.

Anaesthetic management of children with type II and III Gaucher disease

The anaesthetic management of two children with Gaucher disease is described. The cases were a girl aged 12 and a boy aged 4 who had undergone 13 and 3 anaesthetic interventions respectively for endoscopic, orthopaedic, general, otolaryngologic and dental surgical procedures over a total period of 11 years. Anaesthetic management of these patients can be achieved with various agents and techniques, but care is needed to identify preoperative end-organ dysfunction and prevent postoperative respiratory insufficiency. In particular, regional anaesthesia, when suitable, has certain advantages that have made it a worthwhile alternative to general anaesthesia.

Should repeated partial splenectomy be attempted in patients with hematological diseases? Technical pitfalls and causes of failure in Gaucher's disease

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The awareness of the risk of overwhelming sepsis after splenectomy prompted surgeons to attempt splenic preservation in patients who had hematologic diseases for which splenectomy was the conventional treatment. Partial splenectomy for Gaucher's disease was widely performed before the introduction of alglucerase. In sporadic cases a second partial splenectomy had also been attempted.

METHODS

The authors present three cases of failed repeated partial splenectomy attempted before alglucerase was available. The role of angiography in planning operative strategy and the surgical pitfalls of this unusual reintervention are discussed.

CONCLUSION

New indications for partial splenectomy in other hematologic diseases makes the experience gained with Gaucher's disease valuable for management decisions.

Late postoperative follow-up of patients submitted to subtotal splenectomy

Subtotal splenectomy preserving the upper splenic pole vascularized only by the splenogastric vessels has been performed by us in 91 patients since 1984. This procedure was combined with central splenorenal shunt or portal variceal disconnection to treating schistosomatic portal hypertension (n = 67); it was combined with distal pancreatectomy to treat pancreatic cystadenoma (n = 1), and it was carried out for severe splenic trauma (n = 14), and to control severe Gaucher's disease (n = 4) and myeloid metaplasia due to myelofibrosis (n = 5). All patients are alive. In the present paper, we present the late postoperative follow up of 32 patients operated in a period that ranges from 1 to 12 years. All patients are satisfied with the operation. Increased counts of white blood cell (n = 10) and platelets (n = 7) were the only hematological alterations. Esophageal varices were present in 23 of 27 patients operated due to portal hypertension, but all of them were shorter than in the preoperative period. The ultrasound confirmed the presence of the splenic remnant (30 of 32) without significant size changes. Splenic scintigraphies were positive in 30 of 32 patients. Subtotal splenectomy seems to be a safe procedure that can be useful in portal hypertension, some metabolic and hematological diseases, and benign growth of the distal pancreas.

[Alglucerase treatment of type I Gaucher's disease. Preliminary results in Spain. Spanish Group on Gaucher's Disease]

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of the treatment with alglucerase (Ceredase) in spanish patients diagnosed of Gaucher disease type 1 (GD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A national inquiry has been performed among the hospitals with GD's patients on therapy. A form including pretherapy haemoglobin, platelet levels, liver and spleen size and bone lesions was submitted to the participating centers. A quarterly follow-up was requested. Descriptive statistics and frequency distribution analysis were performed through a Statview 4.02 database.

RESULTS

Participating centers 22; evaluable patients 34. The mean age at diagnosis was 18.9 +/- 12.7 years, being the M/F ratio 0.47. Organomegaly was present in 88.2% and 70.5% had bone disease. Low haemoglobin levels (< 110 g/L) had detected in 48.6%, leucopenia (< 4.0 x 10(9)) were in 36.6% and low platelet level (< 15.0 x 10(9)) in 73.2%. The most frequent mutations observed were N370S (39.7% of the alleles detected), and L444P(20.4%). Time on therapy: between 6-12 months, 18 patients, > 1 year 16 patients, > 2 years 11 (5 reaching 3 years). Dosage schedulle:a) 10-20 U/Kg/week, 8 cases, b) 30-60 U/Kg/ two weeks, 26 cases. Eight patients were splenectomized before therapy. After one year on therapy haemoglobin and platelet levels become normal in 82.3% and 47.0% of patients respectively and the liver and spleen size were reduced 66 and 42%. There are not significant differences among weekly (8 patients) or forthnightly (26 patients) dosages except in the spleen size more reduced in the later group (43% vs 65%). Haemoglobin and platelet levels were similar among splenectomized or non-splenectomized patients, but the reduction of the liver size (80 vs 17%) was significatively greater in the former. One patient developed an asymptomatic antialglucerase antibody during the first month on therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The infusion of alglucerase is effective in the treatment of the GD type 1, with a significant reduction of organomegalies and a definite improvement in haemoglobin and platelet levels. The efficacy seems to be unrelated with the schedule employed or the splenic removal; nevertheless liver enlargement was more reduced in the splenectomized cases and the spleen size among the patients with the regimen of "high dose/low frequence". Bone healing requires a very long time therapy. The treatment is safe and the antibody production low.

[Indications for splenectomy in Gaucher's disease. Case report]

Gaucher's disease is a rare metabolic disorder characterized by the lack of beta-glucocerebrosidase enzyme. In this case report a 26-year-old male patient was, first diagnosed as having splenomegaly and a huge haemangioma, therefore managed by total splenectomy. Histologic examination and specific colouring techniques using PAS and Black Sudan dyes allowed the diagnosis of Gaucher's disease. Preoperative diagnosis is hence fundamental to establish the correct management procedure, which currently may be surgical or medical and/or combined. In fact, following the diagnosis the second step includes the decision-making about splenectomy. Other therapeutic approaches are enzyme replacement therapy and genic therapy. The first may be combined to partial splenectomy, while the latter still needs further evaluations.

[Repeat fracture of the femur shaft in Gaucher disease]

A case of pathologic femoral fracture in a patient with Gaucher's disease is presented. The fracture occurred at the site of bioptic trepanation performed 1 month previously. After fracture healing and removal of a Küntscher nail, pathologic fracture recurred at the same site. The paper emphasizes the value of "biological" internal fixation for the preservation of compromised blood flow in the bones of patients with Gaucher's disease.

Transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy for Gaucher's disease. A case report

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is 1 of the skeletal manifestations of Gaucher's disease, for which hip arthroplasties are performed in many cases. Because many patients are young, total hip arthroplasty in this condition has been reported to result in aseptic loosening of the components soon after operation. Osteotomy can prevent such a problem. The authors present a successful case of a 17-year-old boy who underwent transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy for avascular necrosis of the femoral head in Gaucher's disease. This procedure is an effective and safe surgical treatment for this disease if performed before the onset of significant femoral head collapse or acetabular deformity.

Outcome of partial splenectomy for type I Gaucher disease

Partial splenectomy was introduced to achieve the benefits of splenectomy and to avoid the risk of overwhelming infection in patients with symptomatic Gaucher disease. We observed regrowth of the splenic remnant, reemergence of preoperative symptoms, and new bone involvement among most of our patients who had undergone partial splenectomy. Enzyme replacement therapy has markedly limited indications for splenectomy, partial or total, for Gaucher disease.

Ten years' experience of bone marrow transplantation for Gaucher disease

Six patients underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) because of severe Gaucher disease. Their ages was from 2 to 9 years at the time of transplantation. The donors were 4 HLA-identical siblings, a father with one incompatible HLA antigen and an HLA-A, -B, and -DR-identical unrelated donor. Among the donors, three were heterozygous for glucocerebrosidase and three were healthy homozygotes. Four patients underwent total splenectomy and two patients partial splenectomy prior to transplantation. In the former group one patient developed pneumococcal meningitis. In the latter group transfusion requirements were increased. The parental graft was rejected, but 4 of 5 other patients have donor enzyme levels from 2 up to 11 years after BMT. Two patients became mixed chimeras with around 40% of donor erythrocyte markers for one and 80% for the other. One of these had low enzyme activity in his lymphocytes, but the clinical outcome is excellent. This case gives good hope for future trials with gene therapy in Gaucher disease. Glucosylceramide in plasma was within the normal range in all other patients with engraftment, but glucosylceramide in erythrocytes were in the upper normal range in the two chimeric patients with heterozygous donors. Glucosylceramide levels in the liver decreased markedly in the two patients where it was studied. Gaucher cells disappeared in the bone marrow and liver size normalized or decreased within two to three years after BMT. All patients with engraftment had a growth spurt. Skeletal kyphosis was unaffected by BMT in three patients and became apparent in one patient 8 years after BMT. The patients had a favorable psychological development after BMT, with an excellent IQ between 112 and 120 ten years after BMT in the longest survivor. The data suggest that in advanced Gaucher disease BMT still may be a treatment of choice if an HLA-identical related or unrelated donor is available.

Unusual indications for liver transplantation

This paper is an attempt to present some of the unusual indications for OLTx that are occasionally seen at transplant centers. It is not an all-encompassing treatise but rather an attempt to present the more usual of the unusual indications for OLTx. As such, it is a framework to which readers could add any we do not mention as and when they are encountered in their own practice.

Fatal hemorrhage caused by disease progression after partial splenectomy for type III Gaucher's disease

An 18-month-old boy with Gaucher's disease, massive hepatosplenomegaly, and hypersplenism underwent partial (85%) splenectomy and recovered without complication. During the next 4 months, his residual splenic segment showed progressive enlargement from 2 to 6 cm below the left costal margin. By this time, genetic typing had indicated central nervous system involvement (type III). A compatible donor was not available for bone marrow transplantation. Complete splenectomy was not recommended despite continued enlargement of the organ into the pelvis and across the abdominal midline by 7 1/2 months postoperatively. The next week he presented to the emergency room in shock with an hematocrit of 6% and a platelet count of 18,000/mm3. During emergency surgery, massive intraabdominal hemorrhage was noted from a splenic rupture on the inferior pole that was opposite the site of prior division. He died in the operating room during attempted splenectomy. This is a report of fatal outcome after partial splenectomy for type III Gaucher's disease. Patients with subacute neuronopathic disease may not be candidates for subtotal splenectomy.

Subtotal splenectomy for Gaucher's disease: a follow-up study

Three patients with Gaucher's disease who underwent partial splenectomy have been followed for 3, 7 3/4, and 8 1/2 years. All have had significant regrowth of the the splenic remnant and some recurrence of hypersplenism. A review of all previously reported cases also substantiates the recurrence of splenomegaly and hypersplenism. Among new options for the therapy of Gaucher's disease, enzyme replacement therapy (Ceredase) holds great promise for effective treatment.

Partial splenectomy in Gaucher's disease: follow-up report

This is a follow-up report of three children who had partial splenectomy and are suffering from Gaucher's disease. A few years following partial splenectomy in every patient, the remaining spleen enlarged and hypersplenism reappeared; partial splenectomy did not prevent bone destruction if it already existed before partial splenectomy. Treatment with Ceredase parallel with partial splenectomy may have theoretical and practical advantages.