Marked clinical and histologic improvement in a patient with type-1 Gaucher's disease following long-term glucocerebroside substitution. A case report and review of current diagnosis and management.

ABSTRACT

Type-1 Gaucher's disease represents the most common lysosomal storage disorder. With the introduction of enzyme replacement therapy, many of the clinical manifestations can be controlled. The functional deficiency of the lysosomal beta-glucocerebrosidase leads to deposition of glycosylceramide in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. We report the clinical and pathologic presentation of a patient with a florid type-1 Gaucher's disease who received long-term enzyme replacement therapy, which led to marked clinical improvement. A repeat liver biopsy performed at the time of a cholecystectomy several years after initiation of enzyme replacement therapy revealed complete resolution of Gaucher cells.