Diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex in the fetus.

Tuberous sclerosis complex is a dominantly inherited genetic disorder of striking clinical variability. It is caused by mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2 gene, which regulate cell growth and proliferation by inhibition of mTORC1 signaling. TS is characterized by the development of benign tumors in many tissues and organs and its neurological manifestations include epilepsy, autism, cognitive and behavioral dysfunction, and giant cell tumors. With mechanism-based mTOR inhibitors therapy now available for many of its manifestations, early diagnosis of TSC is very important in order to offer appropriate care, long-term surveillance and parental counseling. Fetal ultrasound and MRI imaging techniques have evolved and may capture even earlier the following TSC-associated lesions: cardiac rhabdomyomas, subependymal nodules, cortical tubers and renal cysts. Often these represent an incidental finding during a routine ultrasound. Furthermore, in the past decades prenatal molecular diagnosis of TSC has emerged as an important option for families with a known affected member; however, the existing evidence with regards to the clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of babies diagnosed prenatally with TSC is yet limited and the path that follows early TSC detection merits further research.

Prevalence Estimates of Rare Congenital Anomalies by Integrating Two Population-Based Registries in Tuscany, Italy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Population-based registries play a key role in the epidemiological surveillance of congenital anomalies (CAs). This study is aimed at improving the epidemiological surveillance and providing prevalence estimates of rare CAs using the Registry of Rare Diseases as an added data source to the Registry of Congenital Anomalies. METHODS: Cases of diagnosed rare CAs (2006-2013) were extracted from the Tuscany Registry of Rare Diseases and the Tuscany Registry of Congenital Anomalies in order to set up an integrated dataset. Prevalence (per 100,000 births; 95% confidence interval) was calculated for each rare CA. RESULTS: Overall, 56 rare CAs were analyzed including 656 cases, of whom 121 (18.4%) were retrieved from the Registry of Rare Diseases that provided a major contribution for rare CAs for which a prenatal diagnosis is difficult, or for CAs more easily diagnosed in the postneonatal period. After data integration, an increased prevalence estimate was observed in particular for atresia of bile ducts (6.24; 3.57-10.14), tuberous sclerosis (2.34; 0.86-5.10), Kabuki syndrome (1.95; 0.63-4.55), and some monogenic CAs. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents an example of integration of registries operating in the field of rare diseases. Providing the accurate prevalence of rare CAs is a key point to improving surveillance, supporting public health policies, and planning healthcare.

Congenital focal lymphedema as a diagnostic clue to tuberous sclerosis complex: report of two cases diagnosed by ultrasound.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a familial disorder characterized by benign hamartomas in the brain and other organs. Generally, the diagnosis of TSC is relatively easy, based on a medical history, a physical examination, and imaging findings. However, it can be difficult to consider a possibility of TSC in neonates and infants when congenital lymphedema is the sole external manifestation, because lymphedema associated with TSC is extremely rare. Herein, we report two cases of TSC showing congenital lymphedema at the initial presentation. Both patients were girls, and their sole complaint was congenital lymphedema. We diagnosed TSC using ultrasound focusing on the kidney, heart, and brain in addition to the extremity showing lymphedema. Awareness of a potential association of congenital lymphedema with TSC may assist in the diagnosis of TSC by ultrasound.

Congenital subependymal giant cell astrocytomas in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex.

PURPOSE: Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) is a brain tumor associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). It usually grows in a second decade of life, but may develop in the first months of life. The aim of this work was to establish the incidence, clinical features, and outcome of congenital SEGA in TSC patients. METHODS: Cohort of 452 TSC patients was reviewed to identify cases with growing or hydrocephalus producing SEGAs in the first 3 months of life. Clinical presentation, size of the tumor, growth rate, mutational analysis, treatment applied, and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Ten (2.2 %) patients presented with SEGA in the first 3 months of life. All of them had documented SEGA growth and all developed hydrocephalus. In eight patients, mutational analysis was done, and in all of them, TSC2 gene mutations were identified. Mean maximum SEGA diameter at baseline was 21.8 mm. Mean SEGA growth rate observed postnatally was 2.78 mm per month and tended to be higher (5.43 mm per month) in patients with TSC2/PKD1 mutation than in other cases. Seven patients underwent SEGA surgery and surgery-related complications were observed in 57.1 % cases. One patient was successfully treated with everolimus as a primary treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital SEGA develops 2.2 % of TSC patients. Patients with TSC2 mutations, and especially with TSC2/PKD1 mutations, are more prone to develop SEGA earlier in childhood and should be screened for SEGA from birth. In young infants with SEGA, both surgery and mTOR inhibitor should be considered as a treatment option.

Complejo esclerosis tuberosa: a propósito de un caso / Tuberous sclerosis complex: a case report

El complejo esclerosis tuberosa (CET) es una enfermedad, multisistémica, autosómica, dominante caracterizada por una diversidad de manifestaciones clínicas. El 85% de los niños con esta enfermedad presenta manifestaciones nuerológicas que por su gravedad, constituyen la principal causa de morbimortalidad. Los rabdomiomas cardiacos están presentes en 66% en recién nacidos y las lesiones mucocutáneas en un 100%. Se produce por mutaciones de los genes TSCI del cromosoma 9q34 y TSC2 del cromosoma 16q13.3. Se hereda con un rasgo autosómico dominante, pero el 60% -70% de los casos son esporádicos y representarían nuevas mutaciones. La prevalencia de esta enfermedad varía entre 1/10000 de los niños nacidos vivos. Presentar la evolución clínica de un lactante masculino de 3 meses de edad, con diagnóstico de esclerosis tuberosa y revisar los aspectos más relevantes de esta anomalía congénita. Lactante de 3 meses de edad, referido por presentar rabdomioma cardíaco diagnósticado por ecografía perinatal. En la resonancia magnética cerebral, se evidenciaron nódulos subependimarios adyacentes al cuerno frontal del ventrículo lateral. Evaluación dermalógica con lámpara de Wood: se observaron máculas en hojas de fresno, compatibles con una enfermedad neurocutánea. La esclerosis tuberosa puede originar manifestaciones clínicas muy diversas, por lo que requiere de un diagnóstico precóz para garantizar la calidad de vida de estos pacientes, a través de la intervención multidisciplinaria de todo el equipo de salud

The tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystemic disease, autosomic dominant, characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations. Eighty five percent of children with this disease present neurological manifestations which, due to their sever ity, are the main cause of mortality. Cardiac rhabdomyomas occur in 66% of newborns and mucocutaneous lesions in 100%. This disease is caused by mutations in the TSC1 gene of chromosome 9q34 and TSC2 of chromosome 16p13.3. It is inherited as an autosomic dominant trait, but 60% -70% of cases are sporadic and represent new mutations. The prevalence of this disease varies from 1/6000 to 1/10000 live births. To report the clinical course of a 3 month old infant male, diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis and to review the mostrelevant aspects of this congenital disease. This is a 3 month old infant, referred because of a cardiac rhabdomyoma disgnosed in a perinatal ultrasound. The brain MRI showed subependymal nodules adjacent to the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle. Dermatological evaluation with Wood’s lamp revealed ash-leaf macules consistent with neurocutaneous disease. Tuberous sclerosis may cause a variety of clinical manifestations, and therefore requires early diagnosis to ensure the quality of life of these patients through multidisciplinary intervention by the entire health team

Epilepsia en niños con esclerosis tuberosa: experiencia en el instituto autónomo hospital universitario de los Andes. Mérida 2005-2011 / Epilepsy in children with tuberous sclerosis autonomous institute experience in the university hospital of the Andes. Merida 2005-2011

La esclerosis tuberosa (ET) es una anomalía genética, multisistémica, susceptible de originar tumores del sistema nervioso central. Las crisis epilépticas son manifestaciones comunes y constituyen el principal problema terapéutico. Describir lascaracterísticas epilépticas de los pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico de complejo de esclerosis tuberosa (CET), controlados en el Servicio de Neurología Pediátrica del Instituto Autónomo Hospital Universitario de los Andes. Se realizó un estudio observacional, retrospectivo, tipo serie de casos con ET y Epilepsia. Se describió sexo, edad de diagnóstico e inicio de crisis, motivo de consulta, tipo de crisis epiléptica, hallazgos electroencefalográficos y de imagen, asociación a trastornos conductuales, severidad de compromiso intelectual y manifestaciones dermatológicas. Doce pacientes cumplieron criterios diagnósticos de CET, 10 (83%) fueron epilépticos, deéstos el 50% cursó con epilepsia de difícil control, 60% tuvo crisis parciales, 40% generalizadas. El 100% mostró alteraciones electroencefalográficas, 30% con patrón hipsarrítmico. 50% tenían alteraciones estructurales, tipo túber cortical en 80%. En 70% secontrolaron las crisis con Acido Valpróico y en un caso se requirió dieta cetogénica estricta. El signo extraneurológico más constante fueronmáculas hipocrómicas (100%). Aunque las convulsiones no forman parte de los criterios diagnósticos, son el motivo másfrecuente de consulta, que en asociación con máculas hipocrómicas, hace sospechar diagnóstico de ET. La variedad, refractariedad e inicio temprano de crisis requieren en muchos casos politerapia para el control, lo cual favorece el pronóstico del paciente

Tuberous sclerosis (TS) is a genetic, multisystemic, likely to cause central nervous system tumors. Seizures are common manifestations are the main therapeutic problem. To describe the epileptic characteristics, of pediatric patients with diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), controlled in the Pediatric Neurology Department University Hospital Institute of Los Andes. Was performed an observational, retrospective, case series, with ET and Epilepsy. Described: sex, age of the diagnosis and initiation of crisis, reason for visit, seizure type, electroencephalographic findings and images, behavioral disorders, severity ofintellectual engagement and dermatologic manifestations. Twelve patients met the criteria diagnostic CET, 10 (83%) were epileptic, of these 50% passed with epilepsy of difficult control. 60% had partial seizures (40%) generalized. The 100% showed EEGabnormalities, hypsarrhythmic pattern 30% . The 50% of cases had structural abnormalities, 80% cortical tuber type. In 70% was achieved crisis control with valproic acid and in one case was required strict ketogenic diet .The extraneurological sign more constantwere the hypochromic macules (100%). Conclusion: Although seizures are not part of the diagnostic criteria, are the most frequent reason for consultation in partnership with hypochromic macules to suspect a diagnosis of ET. The variety, refractoriness and early onset of crisis, often require polytherapy to control, which favors the patient's prognosis.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm in an 8-month-old girl with tuberous sclerosis.

The association between an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and tuberous sclerosis (TS) is rare. An 8-month-old girl presented with a seizure, and the clinical evaluation revealed TS. An abdominal evaluation showed a 3-cm infrarenal AAA. A normal diameter of infrarenal aorta for an 8-month-old girl is about 6mm. The patient underwent an open repair with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prosthesis. The pathology showed a loss of elastin fibres in the media of the aorta. The graft was patent on computed tomography (CT) angiography, performed 4 months after the operation. However, the patient died of complications related to seizures 5 years after the surgery. The graft remained patent until the time of death.

Hypomelanotic conditions of the newborn and infant.

Depigmented nevi, pityriasis alba, and postinflammatory hypopigmentation are the most frequent hypomelanotic conditions in newborns and infants. These, and examples of less frequent hypopigmentations are briefly discussed in this article. A new classification for depigmented nevi is also proposed.

Association between cardiac tumors and tuberous sclerosis in the fetus and neonate.

A retrospective review was performed in 94 patients with > or =1 cardiac tumors seen on prenatal or neonatal echocardiography at 5 major referral centers. Tuberous sclerosis was present in 68 patients diagnosed with a cardiac tumor in utero or during the neonatal period, including 61 of 64 with multiple tumors.

Tuberous sclerosis: clinicopathologic features and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberous sclerosis is a hamartoneoplastic syndrome, which may involve multiple organ systems. Oral hard tissue manifestations of the syndrome have been described in the literature only as recently as 1955. Patients who presented with clinical manifestations of tuberous sclerosis did not routinely undergo oral surveys to rule out 'lesions', and consequently data on 'lesions' in the maxillofacial complex is scant. Ten cases have been found in the English language literature, which describe maxillofacial 'lesions', which may be tumours, new growths, neoplasms or overgrowths occurring in patients diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis. PURPOSE: To review the literature for all maxillofacial lesions associated with tuberous sclerosis and to present an eleventh case of a patient with a maxillofacial lesion diagnosed as having tuberous sclerosis. RESULTS: Eleven cases were found with maxillofacial fibroblastic lesions associated with tuberous sclerosis. These lesions were all fibrous benign neoplasms found in the maxillofacial bony complex. CONCLUSIONS: Maxillofacial fibroblastic lesions in tuberous sclerosis have various histopathological presentations, some of which may be difficult to differentiate. Consequently, close microscopic examination of these lesions is necessary so that adequate surgical treatment is provided.

MR imaging of tuberous sclerosis in neonates and young infants.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The MR imaging appearance of intracranial manifestations in tuberous sclerosis varies with age. The aim of this study was to specify MR characteristics in a coherent group of neonates and infants in order to distinguish them from the mature pattern. METHODS: The MR studies of seven patients under 3 months old were reviewed retrospectively. Imaging appearance, number, and distribution of tubers, white matter anomalies, subependymal nodules, and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients had more white matter anomalies, subependymal nodules, subependymal giant cell astrocytomas, transmantle dysplasias, and left-hemispheric and temporal lesions, but less cortical tubers than did older patients in previous series. The lesions were easy to detect as hyperintense foci on T1-weighted images. Visibility as hypointensities on T2-weighted images was comparatively poor. CONCLUSION: The nodular subependymal and linear parenchymal tuberous sclerosis lesions in infants under 3 months old are hyperintense on T1-weighted images and hypointense on T2-weighted images as opposed to the reverse pattern of signal intensity in older persons. The scarce myelination helps to identify white matter anomalies, which become less visible as myelination progresses. Conversely, purely intracortical tubers are more difficult to diagnose in infants. Because the overall number and conspicuity of all other lesions in our series were greater than in previous series with older subjects, our findings indicate that infant age does not compromise, but facilitates, the correct MR diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis. Therefore, if tuberous sclerosis is clinically suspected within the first 3 months of life, imaging should not be delayed.

A report on the perinatal diagnosis of 4 cases of cardiac tumors.

Since 1973, we have identified 4 cardiac tumors by ultrasonography in fetal or early postnatal life. Tuberous sclerosis was diagnosed in three infants whose mother was also affected. The first infant died from acute cardiac failure after birth, and the second required cardiac surgery. The third infant had a cardiac tumor and a focal seizure at the age of 8 months. The cardiac tumor disappeared at the age of 2 years. The fourth cardiac rhabdomyoma may be the only sign of tuberous sclerosis.

A neonatal huge subependymal giant cell astrocytoma: case report.

We report a neonate with a huge subependymal giant cell astrocytoma associated with tuberous sclerosis, with atypical magnetic resonance imaging findings. The neonatal subependymal giant cell astrocytoma is rare, and we discuss the difficulty in its diagnosis and treatment.

[Cardiac rhabdomyomatosis and Bourneville's tuberous sclerosis in the fetus. Apropos of 2 cases]. / Rhabdomyomatose cardiaque et sclérose tubéreuse de Bourneville chez le foetus. A propos de 2 cas.

Two cases of cardiac rhabdomyoma discovered fortuitously at foetal ultrasonography gave rise to no obstructive cardiac signs or arrhythmias either in the antenatal or postnatal periods. These multiple tumours often observed in Bourneville's tuberous sclerosis orientated the clinical investigations to the diagnosis of this disease from the outset. MRI demonstrated cortical tubers and subependymal nodules in both cases. A retinal hamartoma was present in one case. No renal involvement could be detected by ultrasonic examination. No neurological or cardiovascular symptoms appeared during follow-up (20 and 4 months after birth). Investigations in the parents were negative, these two cases being sporadic forms of Bourneville's tuberous sclerosis. The functional prognosis is related to the neurological outcome. Doppler echocardiography would appear to be the best method of following up cardiac rhabdomyomas, and enabled the demonstration of partial regression of the largest tumour in one of these two cases. Cardiac MRI is also an excellent diagnostic tool. As it is usually performed at the same time as cerebral MRI, essential in the follow-up of Bourneville's tuberous sclerosis, it does not represent additional discomfort to the patient.

Gyriform calcifications in tuberous sclerosis simulating the appearance of Sturge-Weber disease.

Two cases of tuberous sclerosis are presented. Extensive superficial occipital calcifications were found as classically described in Sturge-Weber syndrome. Other radiologic signs of tuberous sclerosis, such as subependymal calcifications in both patients and surgically proved giant cell astrocytoma in one patient, were present. At pathologic examination, the calcifications appeared to be located in extensive cortical tubers.