Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: implications of germline mutation investigation for treatment, screening, and surveillance

ABSTRACT Objective Paraganglioma (PGL) and pheochromocytoma (PCC) are rare neuroendocrine tumors that were considered to be predominantly sporadic. However, with the identification of novel susceptibility genes over the last decade, it is currently estimated that up to 40% of cases can occur in the context of a hereditary syndrome. We aimed to characterize PGL/PCC families to exemplify the different scenarios in which hereditary syndromes can be suspected and to emphasize the importance for patients and their families of making an opportune genetic diagnosis. Materials and methods Retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with PGL/PCC. Germline mutations were studied using next-generation sequencing panels including SDHA, SDHB, SDHC and SDHD. Clinical data were collected from clinical records, and all patients received genetic counseling. Results We describe 4 families with PGL/PCC and germline mutations in SDH complex genes. 2 families have SDHB mutations and 2 SDHD mutations. The clinical presentation of the patients and their families was heterogeneous, with some being atypical according to the literature. Conclusions PGL/PCC are more commonly associated with a germline mutation than any other cancer type, therefore, all individuals with these types of tumors should undergo genetic risk evaluation. NGS multigene panel testing is a cost-effective approach given the overlapping phenotypes. Individuals with germline mutations associated with PGL/PCC should undergo lifelong clinical, biochemical and imaging surveillance and their families should undergo genetic counseling. For all these reasons, it is critical that all medical staff can suspect and diagnose these inherited cancer predisposition syndromes.

Intellectual performance profi le of a sample of children and adolescents from Brazil with 22q11. 2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11. 2DS) based on the Wechsler Scale / Perfil de desempenho intelectual de uma amostra brasileira de crianças e adolescentes com Síndrome da Deleção 22q11. 2 (22q11. 2DS)com base na Escala Wechsler

The 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS), the most common human chromosome microdeletion syndrome, is associated with a very heterogeneous neurocognitive phenotype. One of the main characteristics of the syndrome spectrum is the intellectual variability, which encompasses average performance and intellectual disability and discrepancies between Verbal Intelligence Quotient and Performance Verbal Intelligence Quotient, with greater impairment in nonverbal tasks. The present study aimed at investigating the intellectual performance aspects of a 21children and adolescents sample from Brazil who had been diagnosed with 22q11.2DS, based on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - 4th edition. The samples were reviewed considering the differences between indices. The results revealed an Full Scale Intelligence Quotient predominant in the borderline range (42 to 104) and a significant discrepancy between the indices of Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Reasoning in 42% of the sample. With regard to the performance in the subtests alone, a better performance was found in Similarities, whereas block design, matrix reasoning, digit span and letter-number sequencing subtests were the most challenging. These findings indicate that a comprehensive assessment of intellectual performance aspects covering the different measures of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale may contribute to a broader understanding of the neurocognitive phenotype associated with 22q11.2DS.

A Síndrome da Deleção 22q11.2 (SD22q11.2), microdeleção cromossômica mais frequente em humanos, é associada a um fenótipo neurocognitivo muito heterogêneo. Uma das principais características do espectro da síndrome é a variabilidade intelectual, que abrange de desempenho médio a deficiência intelectual, bem como discrepâncias entre Quociente de Inteligência Verbal e de Quociente de Inteligência de Execução, com maior prejuízo nas tarefas não verbais. O presente estudo teve por objetivo investigar aspectos do desempenho intelectual de uma amostra brasileira de 21 crianças e adolescentes diagnosticados com SD22q11.2, com base nos indicadores da Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - 4th edition. As amostras foram analisadas considerando diferenças entre os índices. Os resultados revelaram predomínio de Quociente de Inteligência Total na faixa limítrofe, entre 42 e 104, assim como discrepância significativa entre os índices de compreensão verbal e organização perceptual em 42% da amostra. No que concerne ao desempenho nos subtestes de forma isolada, um melhor resultado foi verificado em semelhanças, ao passo que cubos, raciocínio matricial, dígitos e sequência de números e letras foram os mais desafiadores. Esses achados indicam que uma avaliação abrangente de aspectos do desempenho intelectual contemplando as diversas medidas da Escala Wechsler de Inteligência pode contribuir para uma compreensão mais ampla do fenótipo neurocognitivo associado à SD22q11.2.

Natural history of 39 patients with Achondroplasia

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the natural history of 39 achondroplastic patients diagnosed by clinical, radiological and molecular assessments. METHODS: Observational and retrospective study of 39 patients who were attended at a public tertiary level hospital between 1995 and 2016. RESULTS: Diagnosis was made prenatally in 11 patients, at birth in 9 patients and within the first year of life in 13 patients. The most prevalent clinical findings were short stature, high forehead, trident hands, genu varum and macrocephaly. The most prevalent radiographic findings were rhizomelic shortening of the long bones and narrowing of the interpediculate distance of the caudal spine. There was motor developmental delay in 18 patients and speech delay in 16 patients. The most common clinical intercurrences were middle ear dysfunction, sleep apnea, limb pain and obesity from 2 to 9 years of age. One patient was large for the gestational age but did not develop obesity. One patient developed hydrocephalus at 10 years old. The current age of the patients varies from 15 months to 36 years. The molecular study performed by Sanger sequencing of the common heterozygous mutation 1138G>A in FGFR3 was positive in all patients. Four cases were inherited, and 35 were sporadic (paternal age from 19 to 66 years). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnoses were made early based on clinical and radiographic findings. All cases were confirmed molecularly. Despite presenting a benign course, it is necessary to establish a systematic protocol for the surveillance of these patients due to the common clinical intercurrences.

Clinical description of 41 Brazilian patients with oculo-auriculo-vertebral dysplasia / Displasia óculo-aurículo-vertebral: aspectos clínicos de 41 pacientes brasileiros

SUMMARY Objective: To describe the most prominent clinical features of a cohort of patients with oculo-auriculo-vertebral (OAV) dysplasia in Brazil. Method: A review of medical records of patients with diagnosis of OAV from 1990 to 2010 was performed in a medical genetics center. Results: 41 patients were included in the study. Their average age at diagnosis was 2y 10mo (34,4±48,8 months) and the female proportion was 53.7%. Mean maternal age at patient’s birth was 28.5y (min: 17, max: 46y) for mothers and 31.4y (min: 21, max: 51y) for fathers. Most patients (97.5%) had auricular involvement, with facial manifestation in 90.2%, spinal in 65.9%, ocular in 53.7%, 36.6% with cardiovascular involvement, 29.3% urogenital, and 17% of the cases with central nervous system (CNS) involvement. The classic OAV triad was present in only 34%. All patients except one had concomitant problems in other organs or systems. Conclusion: Since the diagnosis of OAV dysplasia relies only on a comprehensive medical evaluation, it is imperative that clinicians be aware of the most common presentation of the syndrome. Once suspected, every patient should undergo a complete medical evaluation of multiple systems including complementary exams. Treatment of these patients is based on surgical correction of malformations and rehabilitation.

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever os principais achados clínicos de uma coorte de pacientes com a displasia óculo-aurículo-vertebral (OAV). Método: revisão de prontuários médicos dos pacientes com diagnóstico de OAV no período de 1990 a 2010, acompanhados em um centro de genética médica. Resultados: foram incluídos no estudo 41 pacientes. A média de idade ao diagnóstico foi de 2 anos e 10 meses (34,4±48,8 meses) e a proporção de pacientes do sexo feminino foi de 53,7%. A média de idade dos pais ao nascimento do paciente foi de 28,5±6,9 anos para as mães e 31,4±7,4 anos para os pais. A maioria dos indivíduos (97,5%) possuía acometimento auricular, 90,2% tinham manifestações faciais, 65,9%, vertebrais, 53,7%, oculares, 36,6%, cardiovasculares, 29,3%, urogenitais e 17%, no sistema nervoso central. Além disso, 34% dos pacientes apresentavam a tríade clássica óculo-aurículo-vertebral, e todos os pacientes exceto um apresentavam concomitantemente problemas em outros órgãos ou sistemas. Conclusão: já que o diagnóstico desta entidade é eminentemente clínico, é imprescindível que os médicos das mais diversas especialidades conheçam os achados mais frequentes na OAV. Diante de um paciente com suspeita diagnóstica, deve ser realizada avaliação detalhada de outros órgãos, tanto clínica como por meio de exames complementares. O tratamento é baseado na correção cirúrgica das malformações e na reabilitação.