Introduction: Xanthogranulomas are rare, benign, usually asymptomatic, cutaneous tumors most frequently seen in children (juvenile xanthogranulomas). Some lesions can be found accidentally at randomly performed cerebral computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or even on autopsy.
Case report: We present the case of a 44 year-old woman, known with a thrombophilic disorder (PAI-1 gene mutation, MTHFR C677T and A1298C) on chronic anticoagulant treatment. The onset of symptoms was in 2010, when she presented paresthesia and lower limbs weakness. Two years later the patient presents with severe intermittent headache and left hemicrania and a cerebral angio-MRI is performed showing a left postero-inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm and two choroid plexus intraventricular masses in the lateral ventricles. The patient developed a new symptom, dysarthria in 2014 and in 2015 has multiple episodes of loss of consciousness, interpreted as epileptic seizures. Routine blood tests were within normal range, except for a high cholesterol level. The patient was tested for autoimmune, infectious, endocrine and metabolic diseases that were negative. Surgical treatment and biopsy from the lesion was proposed, however the patient refused both procedures.
Conclusions: There is an association between xanthogranulomas localization and the choroid plexus, the most frequent CNS origin being in the trigon of the lateral ventricle. Our case does not resemble with any other case published, mostly because the unusual presentation, symptomatology and the association between xanthogranulomas, thrombophilia and postero-inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm which were never reported before in other cases of xanthogranulomas from the literature.
Tag Archives: thrombophilia
An Uncommon Severe Case of Pulmonary Hypertension – From Genetic Testing to Benefits of Home Anticoagulation Monitoring
A 62 year-old caucasian male was admitted in our pulmonary hypertension expert center with initial diagnosis of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease for validation and specific treatment approach. Routine examinations revealed no apparent cause of pulmonary hypertension. Patient was referred for a thorax contrast enhanced multi-slice computed tomography which revealed extensive bilateral thrombi in pulmonary lower lobe arteries, pleading for chronic post embolic lesions. A right heart catheterization and pulmonary angiography confirmed the diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Following the local regulations, the patient underwent thrombophilia screening including molecular genetic testing, with positive findings for heterozygous for VCORK1 -1639G>A gene single nucleotide polymorphism, PAI-1 4G/5G and factor II G20210A gene. With heterozygous genetic profile of 3 mutations he has a genetic predisposition for developing a thrombophilic disease which could be involved in the etiology of CTEPH. Familial screening was extended to descendants; the unique son was tested with positive results for the same three genes. Supportive pulmonary hypertension drug therapy was initiated together with patient self-monitoring management of oral anticoagulation therapy. For optimal control of targeted anticoagulation due to a very high risk of thrombotic state the patient used a point-of-care device (CoaguChek®XS System, Roche Diagnostics) for coagulation self-monitoring.