Marfan's Syndrome

Marfan syndrome is a multisystem connective tissue disease caused by a defect in the protein fibrillin 1, encoded by the FBN1 gene. Cardiovascular involvement with aortic root dilatation and dissection is the most feared complication of the disease.

Epidemiology

The estimated prevalence is around 2-6 per 100,000 . There is no recognized gender or racial predilection.

    Clinical presentation

    Patients with Marfan syndrome may have the following symptoms and signs:

    Patients may present with complications of the disease such as aortic dissection and pneumothorax.

    Diagnostic criteria

    The Ghent nosology was established in 1995 for the clinical diagnosis of the disease .

    Pathology

    Genetics

    The condition results from a mutation in the fibrillin 1 (FBN1) gene located on chromosome 15q21.1 which is responsible for cross-linking collagen. In the majority of cases it is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, although in up to one-third of cases the mutation is de novo. The disease has high genetic penetrance but with variable phenotypic expression even amongst affected family members.

    Studies show a regulatory relationship between extracellular microfibrils and TGFβ signaling, so an abnormality in either can cause a Marfanoid phenotype .

    Microscopic appearance

    Microscopically the arterial walls may show cystic medial necrosis .

    Radiographic features

    There are no specific radiographic features of Marfan syndrome but the following signs and complications of the disease may be seen in each system on a range of modalities:

    Skeletal
    Cardiovascular
    Pulmonary

    Treatment and prognosis

    Beta blockers are shown to reduce the rate of aortic root dilatation. In patients who can not take beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers are used. More recently, investigators found that angiotensin receptor blockers which are also TGFβ antagonists significantly reduce cardiovascular and other somatic features . Cardiovascular complications are the most frequent cause of death .

    Some of the more newer treatment options include.

    History and etymology

    First described in 1896 by Antoine Bernard-Jean Marfan, French pediatrician (1858-1942).

    Differential diagnosis

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