Mariangela Pinci

Early control of seizures improves long-term outcome in children with tuberous sclerosis complex

Epilepsy associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is characterized by early onset and intractable seizures in the majority of children. There is a solid evidence of clinical efficacy of vigabatrin in interrupting infantile spasms associated with TSC. Due to an early diagnosis we were able to start vigabatrin at the very early onset of seizures in 10 children, who subsequently underwent a long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up. At the final evaluation, a seizure free status was achieved in 50% of patients; 30% of individuals had a normal or borderline mental development, with no patients developing severe mental retardation and/or autism. Early control of seizures has a crucial role in preventing subsequent epileptic encephalopathy, and in reducing the cognitive/behavioural consequences of seizures, but does not guarantee for a normal mental outcome in children with TSC.

The management of subependymal giant cell tumors in tuberous sclerosis: a clinician's perspective

BackgroundTuberous sclerosis (TSC) is a genetic multisystem disorder associated with hamartomas in several organs including subependymal giant cell tumors (SGCT). SGCT have the potential to grow and therefore to become symptomatic and are one of the main causes of death in TSC individuals. Surgical resection is the procedure of choice for SGCT. However, the discovery of mTOR pathway upregulation in TSC-associated tumors and recent evidence that mTOR inhibitors may induce regression of SGCT open up new treatment strategies. Based on a review of the currently available literature and on personal experience, current options for the management of TSC patients and appropriate indications, taking into account benefits and risks of surgery and pharmacotherapy, are discussed.DiscussionAn earlier diagnosis of SGCT in neurologically asymptomatic children may allow a precocious surgical removal of the tumor, thus minimizing surgery-related morbidity and mortality. Biologically targeted pharmacotherapy with mTOR inhibitors such as sirolimus and everolimus provides a safe and efficacious treatment option for patients with SGCT and has the potential to change the clinical management of these tumors. However, whether pharmacotherapy is sufficient to control growth or if it only delays the need for surgical removal of symptomatic SGCT remains unclear. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal levels of mTOR inhibitors that preserve maximal anti-tumor efficacy while minimizing side effects.

Massive hepatic angiomyolipoma in a young woman with tuberous sclerosis complex: Significant clinical improvement during tamoxifen treatment

BACKGROUND/AIMS Isolated liver angiomyolipomas (AMLs) occur in about 40% of TSC patients. Because of their slow growth, these tumors are often asymptomatic. Since AMLs express estrogen and progesteron receptors we suggest the possible benefits of tamoxifen for the treatment of liver AMLs. METHODS We report the case of a 26-year-old female affected by tuberous sclerosis (TSC2) with cerebral, renal and hepatic involvement admitted to the Liver Unit for severe malnutrition, anorexia and abdominal pain. MRI showed a grossly enlarged liver, causing severe gastric compression. The liver was entirely filled with multiple nodular lesions of different sizes. Liver biopsy showed tumoral tissue with microscopic and ultrastructural features of angiomyolipoma. All liver function tests were repeatedly normal. Prior to considering the patient for partial hepatectomy, she was administered tamoxifen (20mg b.i.d). RESULTS After 6 months of tamoxifen treatment a greatly improved quality of life and a significant weight gain were observed. After 12 months the clinical conditions further improved and the MRI showed a significant reduction of the largest lesion with a liquid central area and a diminished compression of the stomach. CONCLUSIONS This is to our knowledge the first report in which tamoxifen has been successfully used in a TSC patient with multiple liver angiomyolipomas.

Neuroimaging findings of Sturge–Weber Syndrome in a child with Tuberous Sclerosis

MRI appearance of Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS) in patients with Tuberous Sclerosis (TSC) has been rarely reported. We describe a new patient with confirmed diagnosis of TSC and MRI appearance of SWS and review the pertinent literature. We discuss these findings on the basis of the new classifications of brain malformations, which take into account the role of neural-crest. The coexistence of signs of both diseases in the same individuals could be explained by common altered pathways that could lead to an anomalous angiogenesis.

Deletion of the long arm of chromosome 6: report on a new case with intractable epilepsy.

Interstitial deletions in the terminal region of chromosome 6 are rare. The deletion most often occurs de novo. Mental retardation is always described. The most characteristic manifestations are microcephaly, micrognathia, hypotonia, typical facial appearance, strabismus, and congenital heart defects. Although this chromosomal syndrome does not appear to have a distinctive phenotype, epileptic seizures are uncommon in affected individuals. We report on a novel finding in a patient with the 46 XX karyotype and del(6)(q25-q26) who developed intractable epilepsy. (J Child Neurol 2006;21:527—531; DOI 10.2310/7010.2006.00112).