Large left innominate vein aneurysm presenting as an anterior mediastinal tumour in a young female.

We report a rare case of large innominate vein aneurysm in a young women clinically presenting with persistent dry cough and retrosternal pressure. Chest X-ray showed a mediastinal widening leading to thoracic computed tomography, MRI, and phlebography. Initial conservative treatment with regular follow-up was performed. Upon aneurysm growth and recurrent pulmonary infection we decided to surgically resect the aneurysm via a minimally invasive approach.

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome discordance in monozygotic twins: matrix metalloproteinase 14, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 10, extracellular matrix, and neoangiogenesis genes identified as candidate genes in a tissue-specific mosaicism.

OBJECTIVE: To find a potential underlying cause for Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKHS) discordance in monozygotic twins. DESIGN: Prospective comparative study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Our study genetically analyzed 5 MRKHS-discordant monozygotic twin pairs with the unique opportunity to include saliva and rudimentary uterine tissue. INTERVENTION(S): Blood, saliva, or rudimentary uterine tissue from five MRKHS-discordant twins was analyzed and compared between twin pairs as well as within the same individual where applicable. We used copy number variations (CNVs) to identify differences. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): CNVs in blood, rudimentary uterine tissue, and saliva, network analysis, and review of the literature. RESULT(S): One duplication found in the affected twin included two genes, matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 10 (LRP10), which have known functions in the embryonic development of the uterus and endometrium. The duplicated region was detected in rudimentary uterine tissue from the same individual but not in saliva, making a tissue-specific mosaicism a possible explanation for twin discordance. Additional network analysis revealed important connections to differentially expressed genes from previous studies. These genes encode several molecules involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and neoangiogenesis. CONCLUSION(S): MMP-14, LRP-10, ECM, and neoangiogenesis genes are identified as candidate genes in a tissue-specific mosaicism. The detected clusters provide evidence of deficient vascularization during uterine development and/or disturbed reorganization of ECM components, potentially during müllerian duct elongation signaled by the embryologically relevant phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway. Therefore, we consider these genes to be new candidates in the manifestation of MRKHS.