Neurocutaneous vascular syndromes

• Published in: Child's nervous system Vol. 26; no. 10; pp. 1407 - 1415
• Main Authors: Puttgen, Katherine B., Lin, Doris D. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.10.2010
• Subjects: Aortic Coarctation - genetics; Aortic Coarctation - physiopathology; Child; Cranial Fossa, Posterior - abnormalities; Craniofacial Abnormalities - genetics; Craniofacial Abnormalities - physiopathology; Eye Abnormalities - genetics; Eye Abnormalities - physiopathology; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Megalencephaly - genetics; Megalencephaly - physiopathology; Mutation; Neurocutaneous Syndromes - diagnosis; Neurocutaneous Syndromes - genetics; Neurocutaneous Syndromes - physiopathology; Neurocutaneous Syndromes - therapy; Neurosciences; Neurosurgery; p120 GTPase Activating Protein - genetics; Special Annual Issue; Sturge-Weber Syndrome - diagnosis; Sturge-Weber Syndrome - genetics; PHACE; Hemangioma; Sturge-Weber; Macrocephaly-capillary malformation
• ISSN: 0256-7040; 1433-0350
• DOI: 10.1007/s00381-010-1201-3

There have been significant recent advances in the past several years in the field of neurocutaneous vascular syndromes, including the development of more stringent diagnostic criteria for PHACE syndrome, the renaming of macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita to macrocephaly-capillary malformation to accurately reflect the true nature of the syndrome, and discovery of new genetic mutations such as RASA-1. There have also been advances in the understanding and management of Sturge-Weber syndrome. PHACE syndrome is a constellation of neurologic, arterial, cardiac, ophthalmologic, and sternal abnormalities associated with infantile hemangiomas. PHACE is an acronym for P osterior fossa malformation, H emangioma, A rterial anomalies, C oarctation of the aorta, E ye abnormalities. Some authors include an “S” for PHACE(S) to denote the association of ventral defects including S ternal clefting and S upraumbilical raphe. The accurate diagnosis and work-up of these patients require coordination of care across multiple disciplines, including neuroradiology, radiology, dermatology, neurology, surgery, and interventional radiology, among others. This paper is meant to update clinicians and researchers about important advances in these rare, important vascular syndromes, to improve care, and lay the foundation for future directions for research.