Search

Rationale: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common inherited cause of coronary heart disease (CHD) and premature death in an early age. Nevertheless, an ischemic heart failure (IHF) associated with FH seems to be rare, and an early diagnosis and therapy could influence the prognosis., Patient Concerns: In this 13-year-old girl, multiple xanthomas began to develop from the first day of birth. Until June, 2017, she was admitted to our center due to edema, oliguria, and dyspnea during exertion, which was attributed to a recent respiratory infection., Diagnosis: Homozygous FH (HoFH), CHD, and IHF., Interventions: The patient has been treated with statin, ezetimibe, aspirin, and traditional heart failure (HF) medications. In addition, the beta-blocker was simultaneously administered., Outcomes: Genotypes of this proband indicated homozygous mutations of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and some co-segregated mutations, such as von Willebrand factor (VWF) and fibroblast growth factor receptors. At 6-month follow-up, we found a decreased level of plasma lipid profile, in addition to a significant improvement in 6-minute walk distance and functional class. Echocardiography indicated nonsignificant improvements in the structure and function of the heart., Lessons: This case report indicates that HoFH can lead to dramatically progressive endothelial damages and ventricular remodeling, severe atherosclerosis, even IHF. Genetic outcomes indicate IHF with HoFH could possibly result from LDLR mutations and some co-segregated mutations influencing endothelial function and cardiovascular remodeling. In a short-term follow-up, a combination of statins, ezetimibe, aspirin, and traditional HF agents is safe and effective for IHF with HoFH, and there is a need for further identification of drugs to ameliorate endothelial function and cardiovascular remodeling which may play an important role in long-term treatment.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a rare benign disorder of unknown pathogenesis, usually a self-limited condition. Extracutaneous systematic involvement is infrequent. We report one of the few documented cases of congenital systemic JXG, presenting with fever, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, ascites, pancytopenia, and delayed skin involvement. Liver biopsy established the diagnosis and JXG was not demonstrated in the bone marrow. Rapid deterioration of liver disease and pancytopenia, prompted us to administer immunosuppressive treatment (Langerhans cell histiocytosis-II Protocol). The patient's clinical condition improved and visceral and skin lesions showed gradual involution. The patient is still free of disease 4 years after the initial presentation.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG), one of the most common forms of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), usually presents in young children as spontaneously regressing cutaneous lesions. However, the systemic type of JXG is difficult to treat in newborn infants, and fatal cases have been reported. In the patient described here, solid masses were discovered by fetal sonography during the 38th gestational week. At birth she had multiple tumors on the back, cheek, and hip as well as marked hepatosplenomegaly accompanied by respiratory failure. Laboratory results indicated pancytopenia, obstructive liver dysfunction, and coagulopathy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor at the left pontine angle, and dysmorphic histiocytes were present in her spinal fluid. She was diagnosed with systemic JXG by histopathologic findings of the hip mass. The LCH-based multiagent chemotherapy including cytarabine, vincristine, methotrexate, and prednisolone ameliorated the symptoms rapidly. She was treated for 12 months and is currently doing well as a normally developing 2-year-old.