Clinical Description
Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II; also known as Hunter syndrome) has multisystem involvement with significant variability in both age of onset and rate of progression.
CNS involvement, the most significant feature in the group of children often labeled with "early progressive" disease, manifests primarily by progressive cognitive deterioration. Such cognitive decline, combined with the progressive airway and cardiac disease, usually results in death in the first or second decade of life.
In individuals with the slowly progressive form of the disease, the CNS is minimally affected, if at all, yet the effect of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) accumulation on other organ systems may be early progressive to the same degree as in those who have progressive cognitive decline. Survival into the early adult years with normal intelligence is common in this group.
The early progressive CNS phenotype may be more than twice as prevalent as the slowly progressive form of the disease; however, accurate prevalence rates are not available. Some form of neurologic involvement is seen in 84% of affected males. Cardiovascular involvement was reported in 82% of affected individuals [Wraith et al 2008].
In individuals with MPS II, GAG accumulation occurs in virtually all organs; however, specific body systems are more affected than others.
Following are the clinical presentations of the organ systems that are earliest and most progressively affected in individuals with MPS II.
General
The appearance of newborns with MPS II is normal. Coarsening of facial features – the result of macroglossia, prominent supraorbital ridges, a broad nose, a broad nasal bridge, and deposition of GAG in the soft tissues of the face resulting in large rounded cheeks and thick lips – generally manifests between ages 18 months and four years in the early progressive form and about two years later for those with the slowly progressive form. Some develop ivory-colored skin lesions on the upper back and sides of the upper arms, pathognomonic of MPS II [Tylki-Szymańska 2014].
Growth
For most boys with MPS II growth is above average in the first five years of life, after which growth lags and short stature is the norm. Macrocephaly is universal.
Although no statistical difference is observed between height in the slowly progressive and early progressive phenotypes, the growth pattern can help in monitoring disease progression and assessing therapeutic efficacy [Patel et al 2014].
Eye
In contrast to MPS I, corneal clouding occurs occasionally and is not a typical feature of MPS II. However, discrete corneal lesions that do not affect vision may be discovered by slit lamp examination.
Optic nerve head swelling (papilledema) in the absence of increased intracranial pressure is present in approximately 20% of affected individuals and subsequent optic atrophy in approximately 11% [Collins et al 1990, Ashworth et al 2006], mainly as a result of scleral thickening due to GAG deposition.
Retinopathy has been reported most commonly in individuals with early progressive MPS II, although it can also be present in individuals with the slowly progressive form. Progressive reduction in ERG amplitude suggests deterioration in retinal function [Leung et al 1971]. Retinal degeneration leads to poor peripheral vision and night blindness, which occur frequently in individuals with MPS II, while central visual impairment due to retinal degeneration is rare [Suppiej et al 2013]. Such retinal dysfunction can be revealed by electroretinography (ERG). Visual field loss can also occur: initially, rod-mediated responses are more affected by early progression than cone-mediated responses [Caruso et al 1986]. However, signs and symptoms do not necessarily correlate with ERG change, as often only minimal changes are observed in the retinal pigment epithelium despite significant ERG changes [Ashworth et al 2006].
Other ocular findings include bilateral uveal effusions, peripheral pigment epithelial changes, and radial parafoveal folds [Ashworth et al 2006].
Ear, Nose, Throat
Common oral findings in boys with MPS II include macroglossia, hypertrophic adenoids and tonsils, and ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint, which limits opening of the mouth. These changes may be responsible for progressive swallowing impairment. GAG deposition in the larynx typically results in a characteristic hoarse voice.
Teeth are often irregularly shaped and gingival tissue is overgrown. Dentigenous cysts can occur, often causing pain and discomfort. They can be difficult to diagnose particularly in males with CNS involvement.
Conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, complicated by recurrent ear infections, occurs in most affected individuals. Otosclerosis can contribute to the conductive hearing loss. Neurosensory hearing loss can be attributed to compression of the cochlear nerve resulting from arachnoid hyperplasia, reduction in the number of spiral ganglion cells, and degeneration of hair cells.
Joints/Skeletal
Joint contractures, particularly of the phalangeal joints, are universal. The contractures cause significant loss of joint mobility and are one of the earliest noteworthy diagnostic clues.
The skeletal abnormalities in MPS II are comparable regardless of the severity of the cognitive phenotype but are not specific to MPS II. Termed "dysostosis multiplex," these radiographic findings are found in all MPS disorders and manifest as a generalized thickening of most long bones, particularly the ribs, with irregular epiphyseal ossification centers in many areas. Notching of the vertebral bodies is common.
Hip dysplasia is the most common long-term orthopedic problem and can become a significant disability with early-onset arthritis if not treated.
Respiratory
Frequent upper-respiratory infections are one of the earliest findings in MPS II. The airway progressively narrows as GAGs accumulate in the tongue, soft tissue of the oropharynx, and the trachea, eventually leading to airway obstruction. Complicating this obstruction are thickening of respiratory secretions, stiffness of the chest wall, and hepatosplenomegaly, which can reduce thoracic volume. The progression of airway obstruction is relentless and usually results in sleep apnea and the need for positive pressure assistance and eventually tracheostomy.
Cardiovascular
The heart is abnormal in the majority of boys with MPS II and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality; 82% of individuals have cardiovascular signs/symptoms, 62% have a murmur that can be related to valvular disease, including (in order of frequency) the mitral, aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves. Cardiomyopathy, hypertension, rhythm disorder, and peripheral vascular disease are seen occasionally (<10%) [Wraith et al 2008].
Gastrointestinal
Hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly occur in most affected individuals. Umbilical/inguinal hernia is also a frequent finding. In persons with early progressive MPS II, chronic diarrhea is a common complaint.
Nervous System
Infants with MPS II appear normal at birth; early developmental milestones may also be within the normal range. Delay in global developmental milestones is typically the first indication of brain involvement in children with the CNS form of MPS II. Presence of sleep disturbance, increased activity, behavior difficulties, seizure-like behavior, perseverative chewing behavior, and inability to achieve bowel and bladder training may be strongly correlated with subsequent cognitive dysfunction [Holt et al 2011].
As is the case for the other organ systems, progression of the CNS manifestations is inexorable, usually resulting in developmental regression between ages six and eight years.
The most common neurologic signs are behavioral and cognitive problems, which Wraith et al [2008] found in 36% and 37% of affected individuals, respectively. Behavioral problems occur in both the early progressive and slowly progressive forms of the disease [Young & Harper 1981, Wraith et al 2008] but are more common in the early progressive form.
Chronic communicating hydrocephalus may complicate the clinical picture, especially on the background of deteriorating cognitive ability. Seizures may also occur.
The decline of cognitive function, combined with progression of early progressive pulmonary and cardiac disease, generally heralds the terminal phase of the disease, with death in the first or second decade of life.
Males who do not have the progressive CNS form of the disease have normal or near-normal intelligence. However, while deteriorating cognitive abilities and seizures are not common in males with the slowly progressive form of MPS II, chronic communicating hydrocephalus may still occur.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is often an overlooked complication of MPS II. Unlike adults with CTS, most children with MPS II do not complain of the typical symptoms. Nonetheless, nerve conduction studies are abnormal. Hand function improves after surgical correction.
Another nervous system complication that must be monitored is narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), particularly in the cervical region, with spinal cord compression.
Endocrine
Infants with MPS II appear normal at birth; in the first years of life the height of most children with MPS II is above the 50th percentile and in some it is over the 97th percentile. However, growth velocity decreases with age. By age eight years, height is below the third percentile, and nearly all children exhibit growth restriction before puberty [Schulze-Frenking et al 2011]. The cause of short stature is unknown; it may be related to osseous growth-plate disturbances.