Muscle Ultrasound in Patients with Glycogen Storage Disease Types I and III

In glycogen storage diseases (GSDs), improved longevity has resulted in the need for neuromuscular surveillance. In 12 children and 14 adults with the "hepatic" (GSD-I) and "myopathic" (GSD-III) phenotypes, we cross-sectionally assessed muscle ultrasound density (MUD) and muscle force. Children with both "hepatic" and "myopathic" GSD phenotypes had elevated MUD values (MUD Z-scores: GSD-I > 2.5 SD vs. GSD-III > 1 SD, p < 0.05) and muscle weakness (GSD-I muscle force; p < 0.05) of myopathic distribution. In "hepatic" GSD-I adults, MUD stabilized (GSD-I adults vs. GSD-I children, not significant), concurring with moderate muscle weakness (GSD-I adults vs. healthy matched pairs, p < 0.05). In "myopathic" GSD-III adults, MUD increased with age (MUD-GSD III vs. age: r = 0.71-0.83, GSD-III adults > GSD-III children, p < 0.05), concurring with pronounced muscle weakness (GSD-III adults vs. GSD-I adults, p < 0.05) of myopathic distribution. Children with "hepatic" and "myopathic" GSD phenotypes were both found to have myopathy. Myopathy stabilizes in "hepatic" GSD-I adults, whereas it progresses in "myopathic" GSD-III adults. Muscle ultrasonography provides an excellent, non-invasive tool for neuromuscular surveillance per GSD phenotype.

Acoustic accessibility investigation for ultrasound mediated treatment of glycogen storage disease type Ia patients

Glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSDIa) is caused by an inherited defect in the glucose-6-phosphatase gene. The recent advent of targeted ultrasound-mediated delivery (USMD) of plasmid DNA (pDNA) to the liver in conjunction with microbubbles may provide an alternative treatment option. This study focuses on determining the acoustically accessible liver volume in GSDIa patients using transducer models of various geometries with an image-based geometry-driven approach. Results show that transducers with longer focal lengths and smaller apertures (up to an f/number of 2) are able to access larger liver volumes in GSDIa patients while still being capable of delivering the required ultrasound dose in situ (2.5 MPa peak negative pressure at the focus). With sufficiently large acoustic windows and the ability to use glucose to easily assess efficacy, GSD appears to be a good model for testing USMD as proof of principle as a potential therapy for liver applications in general.

[Cardiovascular risk profile of patients with glycogen storage disease type I]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the cardiovascular risk profile in patients with glycogen storage disease (GSD) type I.

METHOD

The clinical information of 62 patients with GSD type I who admitted to Peking Union Medical Hospital were reviewed and the cardiovascular risk profile was analyzed.

RESULTS

The age of the patient cohort was (8.4 ± 6.9) years and the ratio of male vs. female was 36:26. The median disease duration was (6.7 ± 6.2) years and treatment duration was (38.3 ± 35.2) months. The rate of abnormal change in electrocardiogram and echocardiography was 17.7% and 24.2%, respectively. The serum concentration of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and uric acid in patient before and after treatment were (6.18 ± 2.47) mmol/L vs. (5.61 ± 1.84) mmol/L (P = 0.020), (11.17 ± 9.85) mmol/L vs. (6.81 ± 5.97) mmol/L (P = 0.010), (2.55 ± 1.27) mmol/L vs. (2.78 ± 1.07) mmol/L (P = 0.617), (0.98 ± 0.37) mmol/L vs. (0.96 ± 0.23) mmol/L (P = 0.005), (526.53 ± 127.09) µmol/L vs. (490.78 ± 129.79) µmol/L (P = 0.977), respectively. The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels tended to be higher after therapy compared before treatment (2.33 ± 3.30) mg/L vs. (3.35 ± 3.39) mg/L, P = 0.431.

CONCLUSION

Patients with GSD I are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in patients with glycogen storage disease type Ia and adenomas

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this series was to evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the characterization of focal liver lesions (FLLs) in patients with glycogen storage diseases (GSDs).

METHODS

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic data obtained for characterization of 8 FLLs (size, 0.9-10.2 cm) in 2 patients with GSD type Ia (GSD-Ia) and lesion growth or recurrent abdominal pain were reviewed and compared with computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. After total and left hepatectomy, pathologic examination confirmed benign adenomas in 6 of the evaluated lesions. Follow-up confirmed benignity in the 2 remaining lesions.

RESULTS

In all FLLs, CEUS showed marked hypervascularity in the early arterial phase. Centripetal filling was shown in only 1 lesion, and diffuse enhancement without any clear direction was shown in all other lesions. During the portal and late phases, 6 of the 8 lesions showed sustained enhancement, including 2 lesions that appeared heterogeneous during all phases of CT and MRI. In an aspect of 1 of these 6 large adenomas, late wash-out could be explained by sinusoid compression. The other 2 adenomas showed moderate wash-out but remained homogeneous.

CONCLUSIONS

Focal liver lesions found in patients with GSD-Ia have similar patterns on CEUS compared with incidental adenomas. Global or partial hypoenhancement observed in the late phase did not indicate a transition to hepatocellular carcinoma but may have been related to ischemia.

Renal sonographic findings of type I glycogen storage disease in infancy and early childhood

BACKGROUND

Type I glycogen storage disease (GSD-I) is an inherited disorder affecting glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. The characteristic manifestations are hepatomegaly, hypoglycemia, hyperlacticacidemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperlipidemia. Renal disease is regarded as a long-term complication and is reported mainly in older patients.

OBJECTIVE

We report the renal manifestations and renal ultrasonographic findings of GSD-I in infancy and early childhood in order to assess the role of renal sonography in the diagnosis of GSD-I.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our hospital's database for patients with GSD-I from January 1993 to September 2004. The records of five patients were reviewed for this study. These five patients were diagnosed when they were younger than 3 years old. Data extracted from the charts included the initial extrarenal and renal manifestations, laboratory data, and imaging studies. We analyzed the indications for, and results of, renal sonography.

RESULTS

In addition to the clinical presentations and laboratory abnormalities, all five children had nephromegaly and increased echogenicity on ultrasonography on their first visit, although only a minor degree of tubular dysfunction was noted clinically. Three of these five patients had nephrocalcinosis or renal stones or both.

CONCLUSION

Hyperechoic large kidneys, nephrocalcinosis, and renal stones are common in GSD-I. They can be present in early infancy. Abnormalities on renal sonography might suggest GSD-I in a patient with suspected inborn errors of metabolism.

Bone mineral density and markers of bone turnover in patients with glycogen storage disease types I, III and IX

Patients with glycogen storage disease (GSD) types I, III and IX show reduced bone mineral content, but there is scarce data on new serum and urine markers of bone turnover or their relationship to bone densitometry. Six GSD I, four GSD III and four GSD IX patients underwent bone mineral density (BMD) measurement by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Free pyridinoline (fPYD):creatinine and free deoxypyridinoline (fDPD):creatinine ratios were analysed on random urines. Procollagen type I C-terminal propeptide, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase were analysed in serum. Some GSD I and GSD III patients had low or very low BMD. There was no difference in total body BMD z-score between the GSD types after adjusting for height (p=0.110). Bone marker analysis showed no consistent pattern. Urine fPYD:creatinine ratio was raised in four GSD I and two GSD III patients, while serum PINP was inappropriately low in some of these patients. There was no clear correlation between any markers of bone destruction and total body z-score, but the patient with the lowest total body z-score showed the highest concentrations of both urinary fPYD:creatinine and fDPD:creatinine ratios. We conclude that some GSD I and GSD III patients have very low bone mineral density. There is no correlation between mineral density and bone markers in GSD patients. The inappropriately low concentration of PINP in association with the raised urinary fPYD:creatinine and fDPD:creatinine ratios seen in two GSD I patients reflect uncoupling of bone turnover. All these findings taken together suggest that some GSD I and GSD III patients may be at an increased risk of osteoporosis.

Acute myelogenous leukemia and glycogen storage disease 1b

Glycogen storage disease 1b (GSD 1b) is caused by a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate translocase and the intracellular accumulation of glycogen. The disease presents with failure to thrive, hepatomegaly, hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, as well as neutropenia causing increased susceptibility to pyogenic infections. We present a case of a young woman with GSD 1b who developed acute myelogenous leukemia while on long-term granulocyte colony-stimulating factor therapy. The presence of two rare diseases in a single patient raises suspicion that GSD 1b and acute myelogenous leukemia are linked. Surveillance for acute myelogenous leukemia should become part of the long-term follow-up for GSD 1b.

Monitoring the correction of glycogen storage disease type 1a in a mouse model using [(18)F]FDG and a dedicated animal scanner

Monitoring gene therapy of glycogen storage disease type 1a in a mouse model was achieved using [(18)F]FDG and a dedicated animal scanner. The G6Pase knockout (KO) mice were compared to the same mice after infusion with a recombinant adenovirus containing the murine G6Pase gene (Ad-mG6Pase). Serial images of the same mouse before and after therapy were obtained and compared with wild-type (WT) mice of the same strain to determine the uptake and retention of [(18)F]FDG in the liver. Image data were acquired from heart, blood pool and liver for twenty minutes after injection of [(18)F]FDG. The retention of [(18)F]FDG was lower for the WT mice compared to the KO mice. The mice treated with adenovirus-mediated gene therapy had retention similar to that found in age-matched WT mice. These studies show that FDG can be used to monitor the G6Pase concentration in liver of WT mice as compared to G6Pase KO mice. In these mice, gene therapy returned the liver function to that found in age matched WT controls as measured by the FDG kinetics in the liver compared to that found in age matched wild type controls.

Sonographic findings in type I glycogen storage disease

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to document the sonographic appearance and dimensions of the liver and spleen in patients affected by type I glycogen storage disease and to correlate those findings with laboratory data to evaluate the potential role of sonography in diagnosing that disease.

METHODS

Fourteen patients (age range, 3-26 years; 10 patients younger than 18 years) with type I glycogen storage disease proved by liver biopsy were studied prospectively with gray-scale sonography, color Doppler sonography, and spectral analysis. The liver, kidneys, spleen, portal system, hepatic veins, and hepatic arteries were evaluated. Laboratory data were correlated with sonographic findings.

RESULTS

In 13 (93%), of 14 patients, the liver was enlarged, and in 11 patients (79%), hepatic echogenicity was increased. In 9 patients (64%), both kidneys were enlarged, and in 6 cases (43%), the spleen was enlarged. In all patients, flow in the portal, splenic, and superior mesenteric veins was hepatopetal, and flow in the hepatic veins was triphasic. In 5 patients (36%), both triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were higher than normal. No focal hepatic lesions were identified. Analysis found no significant association between sonographic findings and laboratory data.

CONCLUSIONS

The most frequent sonographic findings in patients with type I glycogen storage disease were hepatomegaly, increased hepatic echogenicity, and enlarged kidneys. Sonography may help in the diagnosis of type I glycogen storage disease, but a liver biopsy is required for a definitive diagnosis.

Hepatomegaly and multiple liver lesions

Images

The prevalence of polycystic ovaries in the hepatic glycogen storage diseases: its association with hyperinsulinism

OBJECTIVE

There has been much debate concerning the relative contribution of insulin resistance to the development of polycystic ovaries (PCO). We therefore aimed to assess ovarian morphology and insulin/androgen status in females with the hepatic glycogen storage diseases types Ia (GSD-Ia) and III (GSD-III), disorders associated with abnormalities of insulin secretion.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study of ovarian ultrasonography, oral glucose tolerance tests (oGTTs) and single measurements of gonadotrophins and androgens were performed.

PATIENTS

Twenty-seven patients were evaluated: 13 with GSD-Ia, median age 11.2 years (range, 3.3-26.7) and 14 with GSD-III, aged 13.2 years (4.2-31.3). None had clinical signs of hyperandrogenism and only two of the 13 adults (15%) had menstrual irregularities. They were compared to 9 normal adult female controls, aged 21-28 years.

MEASUREMENTS

Ovarian morphology and volume were measured. Blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations were measured at the beginning and end of a 2-hour oGTT. Single measures of LH, FSH, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, androstenedione, IGF-I and SHBG were made on samples taken at the beginning of the oGTT.

RESULTS

In both GSD-Ia and III, all those older than 4.8 years of age had a polycystic ovarian appearance. Pre-pubertal GSD-Ia patients had lower basal and 2-hour blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations than pre-pubertal GSD-III patients. In adults with GSD-Ia and GSD-III, although basal and 2-hour blood glucose concentrations did not differ, both basal and 2-hour plasma insulin concentrations were significantly higher than controls. Serum gonadotrophins, androgens, IGF-I and SHBG were mostly normal.

CONCLUSIONS

A polycystic ovarian appearance is a common finding in patients with glycogen storage disease even before puberty. In GSD-III and adults with GSD-Ia, this ovarian appearance was associated with hyperinsulinism, suggesting an aetiological link, but this was not the case in pre-pubertal children with GDS-Ia. Inborn errors of carbohydrate metabolism may act as useful models for examining control mechanisms of ovarian physiology and development.

[Type IA glycogenosis with acute pancreatitis]

Type IA glycogenosis, or von Gierke disease, is the most common among the glycogenoses with enlarged liver. Acute pancreatitis is a rare manifestation of type IA glycogenosis and has been attributed to elevated serum fat levels. We report a case of type IA glycogenosis with acute pancreatitis. The radiologists should be familiar with the computed tomography findings in this rare complications of type IA glycogenosis.

Hepatic ultrasound findings in the glycogen storage diseases

Hepatic ultrasonography was performed on 70 patients with the hepatic glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) to assess parenchymal echogenicity. 27 patients had GSD-I, 24 had GSD-III and 19 had GSDs-VI/IX; ages varied from 0.6 to 35.7 years (median 11.7). 31 (44%) had normal or mild parenchymal changes, and 41% (11/27) of those with GSD-I, 25% (6/24) with GSD-III and 11% (2/19) with GSDs-VI/IX had marked changes. No relationships were found between the ultrasonographic appearances and other indices of metabolic control, including plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol or height standard deviation score. Seven adult patients (21-29 years) were found to have hepatic tumours: six with GSD-I and one with GSD-III. Those with GSD-I and tumours tended to have the more severe hepatic parenchymal changes. We conclude that ultrasonography may be useful in identifying patients with GSD-I at risk of hepatic tumour formation.

Echocardiographic findings in some metabolic storage diseases

This study was planned to determine the presence and extent of cardiac involvement in metabolic storage diseases, including types I and II glycogenoses, Gaucher and Neimann-Pick diseases, galactosialidosis and mucopolysaccharidosis. M-mode, 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic studies were used for the determination of left ventricular wall thickness, systolic function, anatomic derangement, valvular dysfunction and left ventricular diastolic function in the patient and control groups. In 19.35% of the cases valvular involvement, and in 59.26% thickening of the left ventricular wall due to metabolic storage, was found. Left ventricular systolic function was in the normal range. The diastolic mitral flow patterns of the cases showed obstructive type changes. It can be concluded that in this study, besides previously described cardiovascular changes, some new findings have been detected by means of echocardiography in patients with metabolic storage diseases.

Effective renal plasma flow in patients with glycogen storage disease type I

To evaluate effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) we performed renal scintigraphies with 99mTc-Mercaptoacetyl-triglycine (MAG3) in nine patients with glycogen storage disease I (GSD I) (age: 16 +/- 7 years). Two patients presented with proteinuria, none showed hyperaminoaciduria, disturbed tubular reabsorption of phosphate or hypertension. 99mTc-MAG3 clearance values were elevated in eight out of nine patients (865 +/- 233 ml/min/1.73 m2 body surface area) and exceeded the age-dependent mean values by 21%-145%. ERPF values in patients with poor metabolic control were higher than in patients with long-term good metabolic control (988 +/- 186 vs. 619 +/- 55 ml/min/1.73 m2; P < 0.05). We conclude that enhanced ERPF is a common finding in GSD I patients, which precedes clinically overt nephropathy. Renal scintigraphy with 99mTc MAG3 is a suitable method for the early detection and monitoring of kidney dysfunction in GSD I.

Echogenic kidneys and medullary calcium deposition in a young child with glycogen storage disease type 1a

We report the case of a young child with Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD) type-Ia who developed echogenic kidneys, medullary calcium deposition and disturbance of renal function. These severe renal abnormalities are seen in young adults whose GSD-I has been ineffectively treated. Renal disease can be considered a major problem in GSD-I.

Liver-spleen scintigraphy in glycogen storage disease (glycogenoses)

Some forms of glycogen storage disease (GSD) primarily affect the liver, including types I, III, IV, VI, IX and 0. Scanning with Tc-99m sulfur colloid, while not being specific, does reveal some characteristic features. Most experience is with scanning in type I disease, though there are few reports in the literature. Six patients with type I, type III, type IV, and probably type VI disease are presented in this report. GSD should be considered in infants and young children presenting with hepatomegaly and abnormal liver-spleen scans. Sequential imaging is useful in following these patients. When focal defects are present, long term follow-up is indicated to detect hepatocellular adenocarcinoma.

Computed tomography of the liver in von Gierke's disease

The computed tomography findings in the liver of a patient with von Gierke's disease are presented. Precontrast scans demonstrated diffuse decreased density throughout the liver. In the postcontrast scans, a focal right sided hyperdense area was visualized.

Radiography of glycogen storage diseases

Sixty-three patients with glycogen storage disease were evaluated. Findings on plain film examinations, excretory urography, barium gastrointestinal studies, ultrasonography, and angiography were categorized by type of glycogen storage disease. In type I findings include hepatomegaly with hepatic dysfunction, renomegaly with an increased incidence of renal calculi, and osteopenia with various associated osseous abnormalities. These changes were less pronounced in types III, IV, and VI. Type II displayed either cardiac or skeletal muscle glycogen deposition. Correlation with postmortem examination in 14 individuals is given.

Scintigraphic abnormalities in glycogen storage disease

Fifteen patients with glycogen-storage disease type 1 (von Gierke's disease) were evaluated by serial scintigraphy, with a clearly recognizable pattern of an enlarged liver with diminished radionuclide accumulation, splenomegaly with considerably increased uptake and renomegaly. In seven of these patients with GSD-1 scintigraphy demonstrated focal defects of varying size. Small or stable defects suggest benign hepatic adenomata, whereas malignant change occurred in growing large lesions. The potential malignant end-point of hepatic-cell carcinoma in GSD-1 warrants careful serial liver scintigraphy with scintiangiography on a routine basis.

The radiological investigation of hepatic tumors in childhood

In hepatic tumors seen in children, treatment and prognosis differ from tumor to tumor and thus accurate determination of their extent and characteristics is important. Evaluation by gray scale ultrasonography, radionuclide imaging and angiography has produced definable characteristics for the various tumor types and often allows distinction from other intrahepatic processes. In addition, chemotherapeutic treatment of initially unresectable malignant hepatic tumors can be followed by nuclear imaging, ultrasound and angiography to determine therapeutic response.

Barium enema findings in type I hepatorenal glycogen storage disease

Four children with Type I hepatorenal glycogen storage have been studied by barium enema. All showed strikingly similar changes of a smooth-walled, slightly narrow but normal length colon without any haustration. The findings simulated colitis but the patients had either mild diarrhea or no gastrointestinal complaints. Small bowel series was normal. Endoscopy and biopsy failed to provide an adequate explanation, there being no evidence of glycogen storage in the biopsy material and the degree of colitis in two patients who were endoscoped was minimal. The explanation for these radiographic findings is not known at present, although they have similarities to the "cathartic colon syndrome" described in adults.