Clinical features of prolonged tilt-induced hypotension with an apparent vasovagal mechanism, but without syncope.

BACKGROUND: A previous study of electroencephalography (EEG) changes with syncope led to a finding that some young patients develop prolonged periods of tilt-induced hypotension, but they do not lose consciousness. The present study aim was to compare patterns of hemodynamic changes, measures of duration, and sweating between these patients and patients with tilt-induced vasovagal syncope. METHODS: In an observational study, qualitative changes in hemodynamic parameters were compared between patients with prolonged hypotension (n = 30) and with syncope (n = 30). To demonstrate that periods of hypotension far-exceed the typical presyncope period, several parameters were used to compare the durations of events between groups. Differences in sweating patterns were explored. RESULTS: Parallels in hemodynamic changes were present in both groups suggesting similar vasovagal mechanisms. Patients with prolonged hypotension had longer durations of hypotension (165 ±â€¯44 versus 57 ±â€¯13 s, p < 0.001), diminished cardiac output (109 ±â€¯38 versus 32 ±â€¯9 s, p < 0.001), and EEG slowing (85 ±â€¯31 versus 9 ±â€¯4 s, p < 0.001) compared to patients with syncope. While all patients generated an increase in sweat rate, those with hypotension only developed a robust sweat response that always preceded the plateau in hypotension compared to 14 (47%) patients with syncope who developed an increase in sweating prior to syncope, p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Similarities are present among hemodynamic changes with prolonged hypotension and with tilt-induced vasovagal syncope, suggesting a possible vasovagal mechanism for prolonged hypotension. If true, understanding why some individuals develop a vasovagal response that does not culminate in rapid syncope may help to elucidate the physiologic underpinnings of the vasovagal reflex.

Quantitative electroencephalography characteristics of tilt-induced neurally-mediated syncope among youth.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) patterns associated with tilt-induced syncope in youth. METHODS: Several QEEG parameters were analyzed. Data were calculated for peak or nadir changes with syncope for amplitude-EEG, fast Fourier transform (FFT) power in several frequency ranges, 8-13 Hz/1-4 Hz frequency ratio, and FFT edge. RESULTS: Changes in QEEG parameters were present among all patients with tilt-induced syncope (n = 76). These changes included increases in the low frequency FFT power (1-4 Hz range), decreases in the power ratio (8-13 Hz/1-4 Hz) and decreases in the FFT edge (95%, 1-18 Hz). All patients had suppression of EEG amplitudes that closely followed loss of consciousness. Asymmetry indices demonstrated cerebral hemisphere lateralization at multiple periods during the evolution of syncope, but the side of lateralization did not differ from 0.5 probability. CONCLUSIONS: QEEG parameters can be used to characterize EEG changes associated with tilt-induced, neurally-mediated syncope. SIGNIFICANCE: QEEG may serve as a useful tool for the study of syncope neurophysiology, and the modeling of changes with syncope may improve our understanding of other neurologic disorders caused by defects in cerebral perfusion.

Pediatric Disorders of Orthostatic Intolerance.

Orthostatic intolerance (OI), having difficulty tolerating an upright posture because of symptoms or signs that abate when returned to supine, is common in pediatrics. For example, ∼40% of people faint during their lives, half of whom faint during adolescence, and the peak age for first faint is 15 years. Because of this, we describe the most common forms of OI in pediatrics and distinguish between chronic and acute OI. These common forms of OI include initial orthostatic hypotension (which is a frequently seen benign condition in youngsters), true orthostatic hypotension (both neurogenic and nonneurogenic), vasovagal syncope, and postural tachycardia syndrome. We also describe the influences of chronic bed rest and rapid weight loss as aggravating factors and causes of OI. Presenting signs and symptoms are discussed as well as patient evaluation and testing modalities. Putative causes of OI, such as gravitational and exercise deconditioning, immune-mediated disease, mast cell activation, and central hypovolemia, are described as well as frequent comorbidities, such as joint hypermobility, anxiety, and gastrointestinal issues. The medical management of OI is considered, which includes both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches. Finally, we discuss the prognosis and long-term implications of OI and indicate future directions for research and patient management.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Headaches in PHACE Syndrome.

PHACE (posterior fossa brain malformation, hemangiomas, arterial anomalies, coarctation of the aorta and cardiac defects, and eye abnormalities) syndrome is a neurocutaneous disorder often involving the cerebral vasculature. PHACE patients appear to have early-onset and severe headaches more commonly than children without PHACE. The objective of this study was to characterize the clinical features and prevalence of headache by conducting a cross-sectional survey of families in 2 large PHACE registries. Sixty-six percent of eligible families completed the survey in which 62.7% of respondents reported headaches. Average age of headache onset was 48.8 months. Females were more likely to have headaches (68.6% vs 30.8%, P = .014). Families reported associated migrainous features including nausea (62.5%), vomiting (37.5%), photophobia (75%), and phonophobia (75%). Headaches occurred at least weekly in 29.4%, lasted ≥1 hour in 85.4%, and led to ≥1 hospital admission in 15.7%. Three respondents with headaches had at least 1 ischemic stroke. We demonstrated that headaches are common among PHACE patients, develop at an early age, and have migrainous features.

PHACE(S) syndrome.

PHACE(S) syndrome is a neurocutaneous disorder of unknown etiology. The acronym refers to the commonest features of PHACE: posterior fossa malformations, large facial hemangiomas, cerebral arterial anomalies, cardiovascular anomalies, and eye anomalies. When ventral developmental defects such as sternal clefting or supraumbilical raphe occur, the PHACES acronym may be used. The hallmark feature of PHACE is the presence of one or more large facial infantile hemangiomas that occupy at least one facial segment. Infantile hemangiomas differ from the capillary malformation (port wine stain) of Sturge-Weber syndrome, and the arteriovenous malformation of Wyburn-Mason syndrome, distinguishing PHACE syndrome from other neurocutaneous disorders with red birthmarks. The true incidence of PHACE has not yet been established. Girls are more commonly affected than boys. Cerebral vascular anomalies are probably the most common extracutaneous feature. Given that several organ systems are involved, a multidisciplinary approach to disease surveillance and treatment is advised.

PHACE syndrome: current knowledge, future directions.

On November 7-8, 2008, physicians gathered in Houston Texas for the first-ever workshop on PHACE syndrome, an important and recently described neurocutaneous syndrome. This article represents a summary of the discussions held at that workshop, which was attended by a broad range of medical specialists.

An infant with a facial hemangioma and more.

A patient with a neurocutaneous disorder characterized by large facial infantile hemangiomas and associated abnormalities of the brain, cerebral vasculature, eyes, aorta, heart, and chest wall is presented. All children presenting with segmental infantile hemangiomas should undergo a complete diagnostic workup. We encourage a multidisciplinary clinical approach that minimally includes evaluations by dermatology, cardiology, ophthalmology, radiology, and neurology. The diagnosis of PHACES syndrome is confirmed in a child presenting with the characteristic facial hemangioma and at least 1 associated extracutaneous feature.

The cerebral vasculopathy of PHACES syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: PHACES syndrome is a neurocutaneous disorder of unknown etiology. We studied the spectrum of associated congenital and progressive cerebral vascular anomalies. METHODS: The medical records of 7 patients with PHACES syndrome were reviewed and combined with an additional 108 PHACES cases identified from the literature. We reviewed the clinical characteristics, calculated the relative frequencies of each type of vascular anomaly, and assessed site of vessel involvement relative to hemangioma location. RESULTS: Among a total of 115 PHACES cases, 89 (77.4%) had congenital and/or progressive cerebral vascular anomalies. The most commonly detected congenital arterial anomalies included dysplasia, aberrant origin or course, hypoplasia, and absence or agenesis. Arterial occlusions and stenoses were detected in 24 (20.9%) and 21 (18.3%) cases, respectively. Twenty (17.4%) had persistent embryonic arteries; 15 (13%) had saccular aneurysms. There appears to be a close relation between the regional distributions of cervicofacial hemangiomas and the locations of intracranial and extracranial vascular (and cardiac) anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: The vasculopathy of PHACES chiefly comprises a spectrum of congenital and progressive large artery lesions. Based on known embryology and the relative frequencies of specific congenital vascular anomalies, we can predict that the initial cerebral vascular changes occur early in embryogenesis, by the fifth gestational week or earlier. There appears to be both a temporal and a regional link between the arterial anomalies of PHACES and the cutaneous infantile hemangioma.

The neurologic aspects of PHACE: case report and review of the literature.

PHACE syndrome is a neurocutaneous disorder characterized by large cervicofacial infantile hemangiomas and associated anomalies of the brain, cerebrovasculature, aorta, heart, and eyes. Two categories of neurologic disease are observed among PHACE patients: congenital malformations of the cerebellum, cerebrum, and cerebral vasculature and progressive stenoses and occlusions of principal cerebral arteries. A subgroup of patients develops a moyamoya-like vasculopathy and consequent ischemic strokes. This report details the clinical course and management of a young female with PHACE and reviews the various neurologic aspects of this neurocutaneous disorder. This patient presented with high-grade stenoses of the internal carotid arteries bilaterally, formation of extensive vascular collaterals, and multiple ischemic strokes. She underwent bilateral pial-synangiosis procedures and has not had stroke recurrence in 2 years of follow-up. The presence of a characteristic infantile hemangioma necessitates further evaluation for the extracutaneous features of PHACE. In cases of steno-occlusive vasculopathy, we recommend early consideration of encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis or a commensurate revascularization procedure.