Liver Involvement in Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT: An ever-increasing number of disturbances in glycosylation have been described to underlie certain unexplained liver diseases presenting either almost isolated or in a multi-organ context. We aimed to update previous literature screenings which had identified up to 23 forms of congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) with associated liver disease. We conducted a comprehensive literature search of three scientific electronic databases looking at articles published during the last 20 years (January 2000-October 2020). Eligible studies were case reports/series reporting liver involvement in CDG patients. Our systematic review led us to point out 41 forms of CDG where the liver is primarily affected (n = 7) or variably involved in a multisystem disease with mandatory neurological abnormalities (n = 34). Herein we summarize individual clinical and laboratory presentation characteristics of these 41 CDG and outline their main presentation and diagnostic cornerstones with the aid of two synoptic tables. Dietary supplementation strategies have hitherto been investigated only in seven of these CDG types with liver disease, with a wide range of results. In conclusion, the systematic review recognized a liver involvement in a somewhat larger number of CDG variants corresponding to about 30% of the total of CDG so far reported, and it is likely that the number may increase further. This information could assist in an earlier correct diagnosis and a possibly proper management of these disorders.

Case report: Unusual and extremely severe lipoprotein X-mediated hypercholesterolemia in extrahepatic pediatric cholestasis.

Background: Lipoprotein X (LpX) - mediated extremely severe hyperlipidemia is a possible feature detectable in children with syndromic paucity of intralobular bile ducts (Alagille syndrome) but rarely in other types of intra- and/or extrahepatic infantile cholestasis. Case presentation: Here we report on a previously well 18-month child admitted for cholestatic jaundice and moderate hepatomegaly. Laboratory tests at entry showed conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, elevated values of serum aminotransferases, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and bile acids (100 folds upper normal values). Extremely severe and ever-increasing hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol up to 1,730 mg/dl) prompted an extensive search for causes of high GGT and/or hyperlipidemic cholestasis, including an extensive genetic liver panel (negative) and a liver biopsy showing a picture of obstructive cholangitis, biliary fibrosis, and bile duct proliferation with normal MDR3 protein expression. Results of a lipid study showed elevated values of unesterified cholesterol, phospholipids, and borderline/low apolipoprotein B, and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Chromatographic analysis of plasma lipoproteins fractions isolated by analytical ultracentrifugation revealed the presence of the anomalous lipoprotein (LpX). Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography showed stenosis of the confluence of the bile ducts with dilation of the intrahepatic biliary tract and failure to visualize the extrahepatic biliary tract. Surgery revealed focal fibroinflammatory stenosis of the left and right bile ducts confluence, treated with resection and bilioenteric anastomosis, followed by the rapid disappearance of LpX, paralleling the normalization of serum lipids, bilirubin, and bile acids, with a progressive reduction of hepatobiliary enzymes. Conclusion: We have described a unique case of focal non-neoplastic extrahepatic biliary stenosis of uncertain etiology, presenting with unusual extremely high levels of LpX-mediated hypercholesterolemia, a condition which is frequently mistaken for LDL on routine clinical tests.

Severe Lymphatic Disorder and Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia Treated with Trametinib in a Patient with Noonan Syndrome and SOS1 Mutation.

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a multisystemic disorder caused by germline mutations in the Ras/MAPK cascade, causing a broad spectrum of phenotypical abnormalities, including abnormal facies, developmental delay, bleeding diathesis, congenital heart disease (mainly pulmonary stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), lymphatic disorders, and uro-genital abnormalities. Multifocal atrial tachycardia has been associated with NS, where it may occur independently of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Trametinib, a highly selective MEK1/2 inhibitor currently approved for the treatment of cancer, has been shown to reverse left ventricular hypertrophy in two RIT1-mutated newborns with NS and severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Severe lymphatic abnormalities may contribute to decreased pulmonary compliance in NS, and pulmonary lymphangiectasias should be included in the differential diagnosis of a newborn requiring prolonged oxygen administration. Herein we report the case of a pre-term newborn who was admitted to our unit for the occurrence of severe respiratory distress and subentrant MAT treated with trametinib.

Atypically Protracted Course of Liver Involvement in Kawasaki Disease. Case Report and Literature Review.

Hypertransaminasemia in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) is reported to be transient. Here, we describe a child with an atypically protracted course of liver tests abnormalities and review the inherent literature. The patient was hospitalized at age 7-months for isolated hypertransaminasemia detected during a classical KD diagnosed 3 months before, and persistent since then. KD clinical evolution had been favorable, with rapid response to acetylsalicylic acid and intravenous immunoglobulins. Liver enzymes however remained persistently elevated with a fluctuating pattern (ALT > AST levels; peak of AST 186 IU/L and ALT 240 IU/L). During follow-up, the main causes of liver dysfunction had to be excluded through appropriate and extensive laboratory investigations. Transaminases values become steadily normal only 7 months after the acute presentation of KD. Conclusions: Our report shows that an atypically protracted courses of KD-related hypertransaminasemia above the previously reported temporal limits should be taken into account during the stepwise diagnostic approach to the patient's liver dysfunction. Insidious acetylsalycilic acid-hepatotoxicity warrants consideration in the differential diagnosis.