Tetralogy of Fallot associated with macrocephaly-capillary malformation syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction

Macrocephaly-capillary malformation syndrome is characterized by cutaneous vascular lesions, including cutis marmorata telangiectatica and hemangiomas, associated with congenital anomalies, including macrocephaly, macrosomia, asymmetry and mental retardation. In addition to these cardinal signs, several other clinical conditions have been reported in people with this condition. However, to the best of our knowledge, the presence of tetralogy of Fallot has not previously been reported in association with this syndrome.

Case presentation

We present a case of a Mexican newborn girl with tetralogy of Fallot associated with macrocephaly-capillary malformation. We discuss the clinical treatment of the patient and its consequences.

Conclusion

Since physiologic cutis marmorata is a common condition in newborns, the information provided in this report could be helpful in future cases in preventing severe clinical consequences or sudden death in patients with similar symptoms.

Introduction

In 1975, Stephan et al. described 10 patients with cutaneous vascular anomalies, congenital macrocephaly and corporal asymmetry [1]. Until the detailed descriptions of new cases in 1997, however, the association among these cutaneous and congenital anomalies were recognized as a new syndrome called macrocephaly cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (M-CMTC) syndrome (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) 602501) [2, 3]. Recently, Toriello and Mulliken [4] suggested that the syndrome be renamed macrocephaly-capillary malformation (M-CM) because this term more accurately describes the cutaneous vascular anomalies. Approximately 100 cases of this condition have been reported, and men and women appear equally affected. The syndrome is characterized by cutaneous vascular malformations including cutis marmorata telangiectatica and hemangiomas associated with congenital anomalies such as macrosomia, asymmetry, macrocephaly and mental retardation. Other complications can be experienced by patients with this syndrome, including congenital cardiopathies, which can result in more severe complications. The presence of tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), however, has not been reported in any other patient. Here we described a newborn girl that presented with M-CM and ToF.

Case report

An infant girl was born as the sixth child to 35-year-old unrelated Mexican parents without a remarkable family medical history. She was delivered by Cesarean section after only 38 weeks of gestation because polyhydramnios, hydrocephaly and heart defects were detected by prenatal ultrasound. Her Apgar scores were 7 at 1 minute and 8 at 5 minutes, her birth weight was 4.72 kg (>97th centile), and she was 53.5 cm in length and had a 44.5 cm head circumference.

The patient (Figure 1) was admitted to the Pediatric Hospital of Sinaloa, Mexico, because clinical examination confirmed the presence of hydrocephaly, cyanotic heart disease and several congenital anomalies such as macrosomia, cutis marmorata telangiectatica, macrocephaly (>97th centile), high forehead and frontal bossing, dolichocephaly, hypertelorism, capillary hemangioma of the lip and philtrum, nose with a low bridge and inverted nares, micrognathia, low-set ears, short neck, teletelia, hemihypertrophy of the left arm, diastasis recti, diastasis of the first and second toes of both feet, bilateral cutaneous syndactyly between second and third toes and a simian crease. A cytogenetic study using GTG banding of peripheral blood lymphocytes showed a normal 46,XX karyotype. At five months of age, her electrocardiogram showed normal sinus rhythm, right axis deviation (120º) and right ventricular hypertrophy.

Figure 1

Newborn girl with macrocephaly-capillary malformation. Macrocephaly, macrosomia, cutis marmorata telangiectatica, capillary hemangioma of the lip and philtrum and hemihypertrophy can be observed.

A thoracic echo-Doppler ultrasound showed a ToF as indicated by the presence of a large ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy and an overriding aorta. Axial computerized tomography imaging revealed hydrocephaly with ventricular dilatation, atrophy of the septum pellucidum and calcification in the left occipital region. Due to the hydrocephaly, ventriculoperitoneal shunting was necessary. The surgery was performed without complications. After 15 days, however, the infant suddenly died. Her parents did not allow an autopsy.

Discussion

M-CM syndrome is characterized by macrocephaly, cutis marmorata telangiectatica, corporal asymmetry, macrosomia and hemangiomas of the lip and/or philtrum. The presence of these characteristics differentiates this syndrome from other related clinical entities such as the Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber, Sturge-Weber, CMTC (cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita) and Bannayan-Riley-Rubalcaba syndromes. Other clinical manifestations can be found in M-CM, including congenital cardiopathies, which often result in more severe complications. To the best of our knowledge, however, the presence of ToF has not been reported in this syndrome.

Yano and Watanabe [5] reported three cases of patients with M-CMTC syndrome who suffered sudden deaths. In two of them, cardiac arrhythmia was observed suggesting a new severe clinical variant of the syndrome. Recently, Lapunzina et al.[6] described six new cases and reviewed another 69. They found four patients who presented with cardiac arrhythmia and died suddenly, and another five showing cardiac malformation. Additionally, Giuliano et al.[7] reported seven cases, one with severe cardiopathy resulting in death.

Approximately 100 cases of this condition have been reported, and men and women appear equally affected. The route of disease development remains a mystery. Some authors have suggested that the presence of a microdeletion is responsible for this syndrome [2, 3, 6].

Here we present the first documented case of M-CM with ToF in a Mexican newborn girl. In agreement with Yano and Watanabe [5], we consider that M-CM with severe congenital heart defects could increase the risk of life-threatening episodes or sudden death. Therefore, these complications should be taken into account in future cases.

Conclusion

Since physiologic cutis marmorata is a common condition in newborns, the information provided in this report could be helpful in future cases in preventing severe clinical consequences or sudden death in patients with similar symptoms.

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the mother of the newborn girl for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.