PFAPA syndrome in siblings. Is there a genetic background?

UNLABELLED: "PFAPA syndrome" is an autoinflammatory entity composed of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis. There have been many reports of children with the disease, but only occasionally have been described in siblings, and no specific genetic mutation has been determined yet. Corticosteroids are the mainstay in the treatment of the acute attacks. The role of surgery in long-term follow-up (tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy) is controversial. We report two brothers affected with the syndrome, in whom corticosteroids as the only treatment led to an improvement. A genetic work-up was performed, making very unlikely other possible syndromes of recurrent fever. CONCLUSION: PFAPA syndrome is the most common recurrent periodic fever disorder described in childhood. Its genetic background has not been elucidated yet. Our contribution with two siblings affected with PFAPA syndrome further support the genetic basis for the entity.

Malformación adenomatoidea quística congénita / Congenital cystic adenomatous malformation

Introduction: Congenital Cystic Adenomatous Malformation (CCAM) is an infrequent entity due to an alteration in alveolar-pulmonary development. Material and Methods: A descriptive, retrospective study of newborns presenting CCAM in a tertiary care hospital in Madrid, Spain. Results: Seven patients were found. All were full term, normal weight births. Two patients showed respiratory distress at birth. Two chest x-rays were normal. CT scans showed three clear CCAM lesions, four suggestive of hybrid lesions. All were referred to medical centers with pediatric surgery for followup. Discussion: At birth, this pathology may be asymptomatic and appear as a chest x-ray finding. Long term management is complicated by infection and malignization. Conservative treatment of asymptomatic patients includes regular follow up of lesions. Surgical treatment is reserved for symptomatic or complicated patients. Conclusions: Prenatal suspicion of CCAM is important since clinical exam and radiology may be normal in neonatal period. Chest CT scans are important in confirming diagnosis and determining future surgery. More studies are necessary for the proper diagnosis and management of this disorder.

Introducción: La malformación adenomatoidea quística (MAQ) es una entidad congénita poco frecuente debida a una alteración en el desarrollo alveolar pulmonar. Pacientes y Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo de los recién nacidos con el diagnóstico prenatal de MAQ durante 6 años en un hospital terciario de Madrid (España). Resultados: Se encontraron un total de siete pacientes. Todos fueron recién nacidos a término de peso adecuado. Dos pacientes presentaron distress respiratorio al nacimiento. Dos radiografías de tórax fueron normales. En la tomografía axial (TAC), tres lesiones fueron MAQ y cuatro fueron su-gerentes de lesión híbrida. Todos se derivaron a centro con cirugía pediátrica para seguimiento. Discusión: Al nacimiento, esta patología puede permanecer asintomática y ser un hallazgo casual en una radiografía torácica. A largo plazo el riesgo de infección y malignización complican el manejo. El tratamiento conservador, que se dirige a pacientes asintomáticos, obliga a realizar controles seriados de las lesiones. El tratamiento quirúrgico se reserva para los pacientes con sintomatología o complicaciones postnatales. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico de sospecha prenatal de MAQ es fundamental dado que la clínica y radiología pueden ser normales en el período neonatal. Se debe realizar TAC torácico para confirmar la lesión y valorar futura cirugía. Se necesitan más estudios sobre el correcto diagnóstico y manejo de esta patología.