Clinical Description
The clinical manifestations of RASA1-capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation (RASA1-CM-AVM) syndrome have been described in many individuals with large cohorts by Eerola et al [2003] (n=39), Revencu et al [2008] (n=101), and Revencu et al [2013b] (n=138), with insights from a number of other case series and case reports [Hershkovitz et al 2008a, Hershkovitz et al 2008b, Thiex et al 2010, Carr et al 2011, Buhl et al 2012, de Wijn et al 2012, Wooderchak-Donahue et al 2012, Burrows et al 2013, Català et al 2013, Durrington et al 2013, Kim et al 2015, Maruani et al 2018, Wooderchak-Donahue et al 2018].
The clinical manifestations of EPHB4 capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation (EPHB4-CM-AVM) syndrome have been described in two studies by Amyere et al [2017] (n=102), and Wooderchak-Donahue et al [2019] (n=10).
Significant intra- and interfamilial variability in the existence and location of vascular malformations has been described.
Table 2.
Features of Capillary Malformation-Arteriovenous Malformation
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Feature | % of Persons with Feature by Associated Gene |
---|
RASA1-CM-AVM 1 | EPHB4-CM-AVM 2 |
---|
Capillary malformations
| ~97% | 100% |
Arteriovenous
malformations/
arteriovenous fistulas 3
| ~24% includes:
13% extra-CNS 10% intra-CNS
| ~18% includes:
|
Parkes Weber syndrome
| 8% | 8% |
Bier spots
| None reported | 12% |
Telangiectasias (upper
thorax, lips, or arms/legs)
| None reported | ~80% 2 |
Epistaxis
| None reported | ~60% 2 |
- 1.
- 2.
An ascertainment bias exists for the two studies included. In the first large study individuals were ascertained for CM-AVM syndrome [Amyere et al 2017], and in the second small study for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia [Wooderchak-Donahue et al 2019]. In this second group, epistaxis and telangiectasia ratio was higher than in the first study (epistaxis: 6/10 individuals; telangiectasia: 8/10 individuals; CM: 8/10 individuals).
- 3.
Not all individuals with CM-AVM syndrome are likely to have had comprehensive imaging studies; therefore, the frequency of AVMs/AVFs is difficult to determine.
Parkes Weber Syndrome
Limb overgrowth has been reported in both the upper and lower extremities in individuals with CM-AVM syndrome. The overgrowth is typically noticeable in infancy and can range in severity. Most individuals with limb overgrowth fulfill the findings of Parkes Weber syndrome, defined by Revencu et al [2013b] as the presence of a capillary stain, bony and soft tissue hyperplasia, and multiple arteriolovenular microfistulas throughout an upper or lower extremity [Amyere et al 2017].
Other
Bier spots, white spots on the skin surrounded by a pale halo of erythema, have been described in individuals with EPHB4-CM-AVM syndrome [Amyere et al 2017, Wooderchak-Donahue et al 2019].
Telangiectasia has been reported primarily in individuals with EPHB4-CM-AVM syndrome. The telangiectases were typically located on the lips, trunks, and/or arms/legs [Amyere et al 2017, Wooderchak-Donahue et al 2019].
Epistaxis has been reported in individuals with EPHB4-CM-AVM syndrome [Amyere et al 2017, Wooderchak-Donahue et al 2019].
Cardiac
overload/failure is a potential complication in individuals with significant fast-flow lesions.
In particular, one third of individuals with RASA1 Parkes Weber syndrome required cardiac follow up [Revencu et al 2008].
One infant with RASA1-CM-AVM syndrome had an AVF between the left carotid artery and jugular vein that caused cardiac overload requiring treatment [Eerola et al 2003].
One woman with RASA1-CM-AVM syndrome reported worsening of symptoms during pregnancy; she developed pulmonary and peripheral edema with concern for high-output heart failure that resolved after pregnancy [Durrington et al 2013].
Nonimmune hydrops fetalis due to an AVM has been reported in RASA1-CM-AVM syndrome [Overcash et al 2015].
Congenital heart defects have been reported in a few individuals with RASA1- and EPHB4-CM-AVM syndrome; however, this finding may be coincidental [Revencu et al 2008, Martin-Almedina et al 2016].
Lymphatic malformations have been reported in several individuals with EPHB4- and RASA1-CM-AVM syndrome [de Wijn et al 2012, Burrows et al 2013, Macmurdo et al 2016]. Lymphangiography and near-infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging showed abnormally dilated collecting lymphatics with sluggish flow in the unaffected limb, and tortuous lymphatics of the affected limb with lymphocele-like vesicles in the groin of individuals with RASA1-CM-AVM syndrome [Burrows et al 2013]. Whether these lymphatic abnormalities are progressive is not yet known. An EPHB4 pathogenic variant was identified in a four-generation pedigree with central conducting lymphatic anomaly [Li et al 2018]. Hydrops fetalis was reported in individuals from two families with EPHB4-CM-AVM syndrome [Martin-Almedina et al 2016].
Tumors. Individuals with RASA1-CM-AVM syndrome may be at increased risk for tumor development, but review of the reported cases does not confirm this: Revencu et al [2008] reported several different types of tumors (e.g., optic glioma, lipoma, superficial basal cell carcinoma, angiolipoma, non-small-cell lung cancer, and vestibular schwannoma) in 44 families; however, in their larger series of 138 individuals, the only tumors reported were two common basal cell carcinomas in two individuals from the same family [Revencu et al 2013b]. Whether the rate of tumors is increased compared to the general population is as yet unknown, but it is likely not dramatically increased.
Additional findings observed in a small number of individuals with RASA1-CM-AVM syndrome include seizures, headaches, hydrocephalus, neurogenic bladder, varicosities, and hemangiomas. It is not clear if these findings are primary manifestations of a germline heterozygous RASA1 pathogenic variant, secondary complications of AVMs/AVFs, or unrelated.