Due to its low prevalence and because there is lack of awareness about it, Loeys-Dietz syndrome is often mis-diagnosed as Marfan syndrome, which has similar skeletal abnormalities and aortic pathology. However, the differential diagnosis between these two connective tissue diseases is critical because they correspond to different surgical indications and surgical decision-making. We report two cases of successful thoracoabdominal aortic replacement in patients with previously undiagnosed Loeys-Dietz syndrome.
Aortic Aneurysm ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome* ; Marfan Syndrome ; Pathology ; Prevalence

Thoracic aortic enlargement is a silent, but deadly, disease that is often diagnosed on imaging studies performed for unrelated indications and result in life threatening event such as aortic rupture and dissection. The etiologies underlying thoracic aortic enlargement are diverse and can range from degenerative or hypertensive aortic enlargement to more rare genetic disorders including Marfan syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome. Therefore, the diagnosis and management of this disease can be complex. This review focuses on the periodic surveillance using imaging modality before surgical intervention and medical management of asymptomatic patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic* ; Aortic Rupture ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome ; Marfan Syndrome ; Medication Therapy Management

Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder that is characterized by aggressive arterial and aortic disease, often involving the formation of aortic aneurysms. We describe the cases of two children with LDS who were diagnosed with aortic root aneurysms and successfully treated by valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSRR) with a Valsalva graft. VSRR is a safe and suitable operation for children that avoids prosthetic valve replacement.
Aneurysm ; Aorta ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Diseases ; Child* ; Connective Tissue ; Humans ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome* ; Transplants

Adolescent ; Aorta ; surgery ; Humans ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome ; genetics ; surgery ; Male ; Reoperation

Concomitant Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) and hematologic malignancies are exceptionally rare. This is the first report of a patient operated on for aortic root dilation who had been previously diagnosed with LDS and B-cell-lymphoma. After completion of chemotherapy and complete remission, an elective valve-sparing aortic root replacement (using the David-V method) was performed. Due to the positive family history, pre-operative genetic counseling was conducted, and revealed LDS with a TGFBR1 (transforming growth factor beta receptor type I) mutation in 6 probands of the family, albeit in 1 of them posthumously. This missense mutation has been previously described in relation to aortic dissection, but a causative relationship to malignancy has so far neither been proposed nor proven.
Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; Drug Therapy ; Genetic Counseling ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Humans ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Mutation, Missense

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a patient with aortic root aneurysm and valve insufficiency. METHODS: The patient was subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES) with a focus on the analysis of genes related to aortic aneurysm and other genetic diseases involving the cardiovascular system. Suspected pathogenic site was validated by Sanger sequencing of the patient and his family members. RESULTS: WES has revealed a heterozygous c.830T>C variant (NM_001130916.3) in the patient, which was not detected among healthy members of his family. SIFT, PolyPhen2 and Mutation Taster predicted the variant to be disease causing, resulting in destruction of the structure and function of the TGFBR1 protein. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines, the variant was predicted to be likely pathogenic (PM1+PM2+PM6+PP3+PP4). CONCLUSION The c.830T>C variant of the TGFBR1 gene probably underlay the disease in the proband. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of TGFBR1 gene variants in Chinese population.
China ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I/genetics* ; Whole Exome Sequencing

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis of a patient with clinically suspected Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS). METHODS: A child who had presented at Beijing Anzhen Hospital in September 2018 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data and family history of the patient were collected, along with peripheral blood samples of the proband and his parents. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out through next-generation sequencing. RESULTS: Candidate variants were searched through bioinformatic analysis focusing on genes associated with hereditary aortic aneurysms. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. The patient was found to have cardiovascular abnormalities including early-onset aortic dilatation and coarctation, and LDS syndrome was suspected. WES revealed that he has harbored a heterozygous c.1526G>T missense variant of the TGFBR2 gene. The same variant was not found in either parent and was predicted as likely pathogenic (PM1+PM2_Supporting+ PM6+PP3+PP4) based on the guidelines from the American College for Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). CONCLUSION The TGFBR2 c.1526G>T variant probably underlay the LDS in this patient and was unreported previously in China. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the TGFBR2 gene associated with the LDS and provided a basis for the genetic counseling for the patient.
Child ; Humans ; Male ; China ; Computational Biology ; Family ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome/genetics* ; Mutation ; Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II/genetics*

Characterized by unique phenotypic features such as aortic aneurysm/dissection, hypertelorism, bifid uvula/cleft palate and generalized tortuosity in the arterial system, Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a newly described aggressive connective tissue disorder associated with mutation in the gene encoding transforming growth factor-beta receptor type I or type II. Some phenotypic manifestations of Loeys-Dietz syndrome overlap with those of Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. However, due to its more malignant pathophysiologic nature, physicians should be alert to Loeys-Dietz syndrome. High suspicion, early diagnosis, preventive surgery and serial imaging assessments are warranted for optimal management of Loeys-Dietz syndrome. We present here a case of a young patient with Loeys-Dietz syndrome who had aortic rupture, bifid uvula and hypertelorism. We also present a review of the medical literature.
Aortic Rupture ; Connective Tissue ; Early Diagnosis ; Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertelorism ; Korea ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome ; Marfan Syndrome ; Palate ; Rupture ; Uvula

Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by heterozygous mutations in the genes encoding transforming growth factor-beta receptor type 1 or 2. It is typically characterized by a triad of hypertelorism, cleft palate or bifid uvula, and arterial tortuosity with aneurysm or dissection. Characteristic vascular abnormalities such as tortuosity, aneurysms, dissections, and stenosis are the most severe complications of LDS and can occur in the neurovascular system. We report a 5-year-old boy who presented with headaches and neurovascular abnormalities and was diagnosed with LDS with a novel mutation of the TGFBR1 gene. It is the first Korean report of neurovascular abnormalities in LDS.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Cleft Palate ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Headache ; Hypertelorism ; Joint Instability ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome ; Skin Diseases, Genetic ; Uvula ; Vascular Malformations

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a recently described autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the genes for transforming growth factor-beta receptor type 1 or 2 (TGF-ssR 1/2). The syndrome predisposes patients to aortic aneurysm and dissections, along with craniofacial and musculoskeletal abnormalities. Here we report the case of an adolescent who underwent serial near total aortic replacement, from the aortic valve to the descending aorta. Loeys-Dietz syndrome was confirmed in this case by the detection of a mutation in the TGF-ssR 2 gene.
Adolescent ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Valve ; Craniofacial Abnormalities ; Humans ; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome ; Musculoskeletal Abnormalities ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta