CM-AVM syndrome in a neonate: case report and treatment with a novel flow reduction strategy

RASA-1 gene mutations present with a variety of clinical phenotypes. Parkes-Weber syndrome (PKWS) and the more recently described capillary malformation - arteriovenous malformation syndrome (CM-AVM) are two such entities. The hallmarks of both PKWS and CM-AVM are the presence of fast-flow vascular malformations and capillary malformations (CM). A “fast-flow” vascular malformation is defined as a lesion containing abnormal fistulous connections between arteries and veins, without an intervening capillary bed. This includes both arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and arterio-venous fistula (AVF).

Capillary malformations are present in 0.3% of neonates, and appear as a characteristic pink macular stain, often described as a "port wine stain" [1]. Histologically, the lesion is characterized by wide caliber or increased number of dermal capillaries [2]. Although CMs are usually isolated, they may arise in the setting of a syndrome, such as Klippel-Trenaunay, Sturge-Weber, or Proteus. If capillary malformations are associated with a syndrome that incorporates a high-flow lesion such as PKWS or CM-AVM, high output heart failure may ensue. In these instances, most commonly only the CM is evident at birth, and the AVM or AVF presents later in childhood.

In this report, we present a neonate diagnosed at birth with a large upper extremity capillary malformation and a clinically apparent fast-flow vascular malformation with limb enlargement, in the context of a strong family history of vascular malformations and highlight the radiologic characteristics.

The patient was born at an outside hospital at 41 weeks gestation via spontaneous vaginal delivery to a 20 year-old G2P2. Birth weight was 3991 g and head circumference was 36 cm (both values above the 95 percentile). The pregnancy and delivery were reportedly without complication. The infant was transferred to our institution on the fourth day of life for further management of a vascular skin lesion and upper extremity enlargement and edema.

Upon questioning, there was a family history of vascular birthmarks. The patient's mother has several pink macules on her trunk and extremities. An older sibling also exhibited a port wine stain.

The neonate was hemodynamically stable. On physical examination, there were blanching salmon-colored macules, extending over the left cheek, left ear, chin and across the left neck (Figure 1). There were darker, pink/violaceous lesions over the left temporal and occipital scalp. A pink patch extended over most of the right upper extremity, intermingled with areas that appeared more violaceous. The entire right upper extremity was enlarged and tensely edematous. The right arm measured 17 cm in length, 1 cm longer than the right, and the right lower arm circumference measured 14.5 cm, 3.5 cm greater than the left. Axillary, brachial, and radial pulses were bounding. At the initial and subsequent examinations, the baby was noted to move the right arm only minimally as compared with the left. The remainder of the physical examination was unremarkable.

There was no laboratory evidence of coagulopathy or platelet consumption.

The RASA-1 gene (RAS p21 protein activator 1; OMIM 139150) located on chromosome 5q13.3 encodes the protein p120 RasGAP, a negative regulator of the Ras p21 oncogene. Mouse embryos with targeted disruptions in rasGAP fail to transform their initial aggregation of endothelial cells into a functioning vascular network [3, 4]. The RASA-1 related syndromes are inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with a penetrance estimated between 89-96% [5‐7].

Several families with varying inactivating mutations in the RASA-1 gene have been studied [5, 6, 8‐12]. The phenotypic hallmark of the RASA-1 malformation appears to be the presence of multifocal capillary malformations however fast-flow vascular malformations are seen in more than one third of affected individuals. Capillary malformations in this syndrome often have a pale halo around the pink or red macular stains which is atypical for a sporadic CM [13]. The location of the associated fast-flow vascular malformations is variable. These may be identified in the intracranial space, such as a vein of Galen malformation, intradurally, or in extracranial locations, such as the face, trunk, or extremities. Visceral AVMs are not typically seen. Some patients with a RASA-1 mutation present with Parkes-Weber syndrome, characterized by multiple fast-flow vascular anomalies, including extensive intramuscular microfistula, capillary malformations, and limb overgrowth. Previously thought to be a sporadic condition, its shared genetic basis with CM-AVM suggests that the two entities are merely different manifestations of the same genetic entity. Mutations in the RASA-1 gene also underlie at least some cases of vein of Galen malformation [6]. In addition, there is evidence of defective lymphangiogenesis [14] although this is generally clinically unapparent.

The localized nature of the vascular lesions and their multifocality are intriguing in the setting of a disease caused by a germ line mutation. Some authors have invoked a somatic “second hit” mechanism to explain the large areas of unaffected tissues. Indeed, such a mechanism is reported to underlie several genetic vascular anomalies, such as glomuvenous malformation, cerebral cavernous malformation, and the PTEN mutation syndromes. Of further interest are the variable phenotypes appearing within each affected family. Our patient, for example, has a strong family history of multiple capillary malformations but without AVM or AVF. It is possible that such lesions are present and have been clinically silent, as the family members have not undergone imaging screening. However, previous work involving screened family members who carry identical mutations have documented phenotypic variability, with many genetically affected family members entirely lacking a high-flow vascular lesion. For example, this patient’s genetic alteration in the (c.2603 + 1 G > A) is identical to a patient reported by Revencu [6], et al. That patient manifested CM’s without fast-flow vascular anomalies but also was reported to have chylous ascites.

To our knowledge, this case represents the youngest reported patient diagnosed with CM-AVM and highlights the importance of early clinical detection. The presence of multiple capillary malformations should raise suspicion of a syndrome with mixed vascular anomalies. The family history and physical examination may offer important clues. Complete assessment and the broader differential diagnosis are beyond the scope of this article; however, evidence for an underlying fast-flow lesion should be sought on physical exam. This includes local warmth, palpable thrill, or an audible bruit. Any limb enlargement should be noted.

Imaging workup generally begins with ultrasound and Doppler. This case demonstrates the classic features of a fast-flow vascular malformation. There is absence of a definable mass on gray-scale ultrasound. Large, macroscopic anechoic vessels are present. There is an abnormally low resistive pattern on the spectral tracings in the feeding artery and increased pulsatility in the draining veins. We also detected a plethora of vessels, completing the assessment of an AVM. The MRI corroborated these findings.

Of interest, the ultrasound revealed abnormal echotexture and the MRI demonstrated abnormal signal within the distal musculature. Although regional edema might explain such a finding, we suspect rather that this represents numerous microfistulae in the musculature that are too small to resolve with our imaging technique. In support of this interpretation is the mild general enhancement of the involved muscles noted after gadolinium administration (Figure 3C). This underscores the overlap with PKWS. The above findings, in the context of the clinical history should strongly suggest a RASA-1 mutation.

When a significant fast-flow vascular lesion is present, a cardiac echo should also be obtained to exclude high output heart failure.

We have presented what we believe to be the youngest patient to date to be diagnosed with CM-AVM syndrome. This case highlights the importance of searching for associated lesions in the presence of multifocal CM’s. When fast-flow vascular components are present, treatment can be initiated early to avoid future morbidity. A working knowledge of associated syndromes, a multidisciplinary approach and appropriate imaging studies and their interpretation can yield a timely diagnosis.

Written informed consent for images contained in this report was obtained from the patient's parents in accordance with the guidelines of Columbia University Medical Center and the Columbia University Institutional Review Board.