Virginie G S Ninclaus1, Sophie Walraedt2, Edward Baert3, Geneviève Laureys4, Bart P Leroy2,5,6, Julie De Zaeytijd2. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital & Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. Virginie.ninclaus@uzgent.be. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital & Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, Ghent University Hospital & Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 4. Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Ghent University Hospital & Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 5. Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital & Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 6. Division of Ophthalmology & Center for Cellular & Molecular Therapeutics, The Childrens' Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe a patient with diplopia who was diagnosed with Turcot syndrome. METHODS: A 10-year-old boy presented with a history of left-sided sixth and seventh nerve palsy. He underwent imaging of the brain and colon, a full ophthalmological and genetic work-up. RESULTS: A 10-year-old boy was referred with combined left-sided sixth and seventh nerve palsy since 1 month without symptoms of raised intracranial pressure. BCVA was 6/6 in both eyes. Fundoscopy revealed bilateral, multiple, oval pigmented ocular fundus lesions (POFLs) in the 4 quadrants. These POFLs, together with the cranial nerve palsies raised the suspicion of Turcot syndrome, a familial neoplasia syndrome characterized by familial colorectal cancer and tumours of the central nervous system. Urgent MRI scan of the brain and stereotactic biopsy showed a primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) at the pons. Coloscopy revealed multiple polyps. DNA analysis of the APC gene confirmed the clinical diagnosis of Turcot syndrome. The PNET was treated with combined radio- and chemotherapy. The patient underwent a prophylactic total colectomy as virtually all patients develop a carcinoma of the colorectal region if left untreated. CONCLUSIONS: Although strabismus is not, diplopia in childhood is rare and seldom innocuous. It requires a prompt and thorough diagnostic evaluation, including thorough, dilated fundoscopy. The presence of POFLs combined with neurological symptoms suggestive of a brain tumour should alert the clinician of the possibility of Turcot syndrome. Recognition of this rare syndrome can lead to earlier diagnosis, which is vital for appropriate surveillance and early surgical intervention of the highly frequent neoplasias in Turcot Syndrome.
PURPOSE: To describe a patient with diplopia who was diagnosed with Turcot syndrome. METHODS: A 10-year-old boy presented with a history of left-sided sixth and seventh nerve palsy. He underwent imaging of the brain and colon, a full ophthalmological and genetic work-up. RESULTS: A 10-year-old boy was referred with combined left-sided sixth and seventh nerve palsy since 1 month without symptoms of raised intracranial pressure. BCVA was 6/6 in both eyes. Fundoscopy revealed bilateral, multiple, oval pigmented ocular fundus lesions (POFLs) in the 4 quadrants. These POFLs, together with the cranial nerve palsies raised the suspicion of Turcot syndrome, a familial neoplasia syndrome characterized by familial colorectal cancer and tumours of the central nervous system. Urgent MRI scan of the brain and stereotactic biopsy showed a primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) at the pons. Coloscopy revealed multiple polyps. DNA analysis of the APC gene confirmed the clinical diagnosis of Turcot syndrome. The PNET was treated with combined radio- and chemotherapy. The patient underwent a prophylactic total colectomy as virtually all patients develop a carcinoma of the colorectal region if left untreated. CONCLUSIONS: Although strabismus is not, diplopia in childhood is rare and seldom innocuous. It requires a prompt and thorough diagnostic evaluation, including thorough, dilated fundoscopy. The presence of POFLs combined with neurological symptoms suggestive of a brain tumour should alert the clinician of the possibility of Turcot syndrome. Recognition of this rare syndrome can lead to earlier diagnosis, which is vital for appropriate surveillance and early surgical intervention of the highly frequent neoplasias in Turcot Syndrome.
Authors: E I Traboulsi; J Apostolides; F M Giardiello; A J Krush; S V Booker; S R Hamilton; I E Hussels Journal: Ophthalmic Genet Date: 1996-12 Impact factor: 1.803
Authors: F M Giardiello; G M Petersen; S Piantadosi; S B Gruber; E I Traboulsi; G J Offerhaus; K Muro; A J Krush; S V Booker; M C Luce; S J Laken; K W Kinzler; B Vogelstein; S R Hamilton Journal: Gut Date: 1997-04 Impact factor: 23.059
Authors: S R Hamilton; B Liu; R E Parsons; N Papadopoulos; J Jen; S M Powell; A J Krush; T Berk; Z Cohen; B Tetu Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1995-03-30 Impact factor: 91.245