Early screening the small bowel is key to protect Peutz-Jeghers syndrome patients from surgery: a novel mutation c.243delG in STK11 gene

Intussusception Caused by Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome

A 20-year-old female patient with a family history significant for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome presented to the hospital multiple times with complaints of abdominal pain. On the initial visit to the hospital, the patient underwent small bowel resection for small bowel obstruction secondary to intussusception, following which she visited the hospital again one year later for similar complaints and underwent reduction of multiple points of intussusception of the small bowel without any resection of the same. Eventually, the patient underwent resection of the small bowel for the second time, along with tumor resections. The importance of follow-up in patients with Peutz-Jeghers is particularly essential, in part, because it is vital to monitor the tumors, their size, and number to prevent surgical intestinal complications, anemia, and also to eventually monitor for carcinomatous changes. 

Intra-operative enteroscopic polypectomy-An innovative hybrid approach using straight sticks

Background

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS) is an uncommon intestinal polyposis disorder. Bowel obstructions are a recurring problem in PJS and as many as 50% of these patients require surgery. The current standard of care for these patients is to perform a flexible enteroscopic polypectomy. The traditional push-pull enteroscopy however, might be unavailable or unsuitable in an emergency setting. Alternatively, repeated laparotomies with multiple small bowel resections can lead to short bowel syndrome.

Methods

In our series, we describe an innovative technique where a short midline laparotomy permitted sufficient access to reduce the intussusception(s) and perform a bowel walk. Rigid laparoscopic instruments were introduced within the small bowel lumen via enterotomies, to perform polypectomies along the entire small bowel length. This precludes the need for small bowel resections which can thwart the development of short bowel syndrome.

Results

Two patients with PJS presenting with acute small bowel obstruction underwent surgery using the described approach. Another two patients with PJS having multiple intussusceptions on CT underwent an elective prophylactic polypectomy using the same approach. We were able to run the bowel in its entirety and a maximum of 41 polyps were retrieved from the port site enterotomy. The operating times were modest and no unique complications pertaining to this technique were encountered.

Conclusion

Small bowel polypectomy using rigid instrumentation employing a limited midline laparotomy is an attractive option for both emergency and elective settings in patients with PJS.

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Bowel obstructions are a recurring problem in PJS.

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Polypectomy using rigid instrumentation serves as an attractive option for patients with PJS, undergoing a laparotomy for acute bowel obstruction.

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This technique can be empolyed in both, elective as well as emergency settings.

Delayed diagnosis of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome due to pathological information loss or mistake in family/personal history

OBJECTIVE

To report Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) cases with non-definitive clues in the family or personal history and finally diagnosed through pathological examination and STK11 gene mutation test.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION

PJS was suspected in 3 families with tortuous medical courses. Two of them had relatives departed due to polyposis or colon cancer without pathological results, and the other one had been diagnosed as hyperplastic polyposis before. Diagnosis of PJS was confirmed by endoscopy and repeated pathological examinations, and the STK11 mutation test finally confirmed the diagnosis at genetic level, during which 3 novel mutation were detected (536C > A, 373_374insA, 454_455insGGAGAAGCGTTTCCCAGTGTGCC).

CONCLUSION

Early diagnosis of PJS is important and may be based on a family history with selective features among family members, and the pathological information is the key. The novel mutations also expand the STK11 variant spectrum.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a rare, autosomal dominant, hereditary polyposis syndrome defined by gastrointestinal hamartomas and mucocutaneous pigmentations, caused by a germline mutation in the serine/ threonine kinase 11 or liver kinase B1 (STK11/LKB1) genes. Hamartomatous polyps located throughout the gastrointestinal tract can be complicated by bleeding and small bowel intussusception, potentially leading to the need for emergency surgery. Individuals suffering from Peutz-Jeghers syndrome have an increased lifetime risk of various forms of cancer (gastrointestinal, pancreatic, lung, breast, uterine, ovarian and testicular). Surveillance should lead to the prevention of complications and thus a reduction in mortality and morbidity of patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

A combined approach based on wireless capsule endoscopy, magnetic resonance enterography and device-assisted enteroscopy is effective in reduction of the polyp burden and thus decreasing the risk of bleeding and intussusception. Current guidelines for screening and surveillance are mostly based on expert opinion rather than evidence.

SUMMARY

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is an emerging disease that significantly affects the quality of life enjoyed by patients. Despite of all the progress in improved early diagnostics, options for advanced endoscopic therapy and elaborate surveillance, acute and chronic complications decrease the life expectancy of patients suffering from Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.

Intestinal obstruction with oral pigmentation: a clue to Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant disorder, which manifests as mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation and, intestinal and extraintestinal polyps. The classic triad of abdominal pain, mass and jam-like stools are not found commonly. On clinical examination, a strong suspicion of PJS should be made if patients below 18 years, present with mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation and intestinal obstruction. We report a case of a 16-year-old woman who presented to the surgical emergency with a 1-day history of acute pain in abdomen, in right iliac fossa and features of intestinal obstruction. A thorough history and clinical examination supported by diagnostic imaging should be done in suspicious cases for prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Implications of Splicing Alterations in the Onset and Phenotypic Variability of a Family with Subclinical Manifestation of Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome: Bioinformatic and Molecular Evidence

Peutz–Jeghers Syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant pre-cancerous disorder caused in 80–90% of cases by germline mutations in the tumor suppressor gene STK11. We performed a genetic test of the STK11 gene in two Italian young sisters suspected of PJS, since they showed pathognomonic café au lait spots in absence of other symptoms and familiarity. Sequencing of all exons of STK11 gene and other 8 genes, suggested to be involved in hamartomatous syndromes, (PTEN, BMPR1A, SDHB, SDHD, SMAD4, AKT1, ENG, PIK3CA) led to the identification in both the probands of a novel germline silent mutation named c.597 G>A, hitting the last nucleotide of exon 4. Interestingly, genetic testing of the two probands’ parents showed that their unaffected father was carrier of this mutation. Moreover, he carried a second intronic substitution named c.465-51 T>C (rs2075606) which was not inherited by his daughters. We also observed that all the family members carrying the c.597 G>A mutation presented an aberrant splice variant of STK11 mRNA lacking exon 4. Furthermore, in silico analysis of c.465-51 T>C substitution showed that it may activate an Enhancer Splicing Element. Finally, qRT-PCR analysis of STK11 expression levels showed a slight downregulation of the wild type allele in the father and a 2-fold downregulation in the probands compared to the unaffected mother. Our results have led the hypothesis that the c.465-51 T>C intronic variant, which segregates with the wild type allele, could increase the splicing effectiveness of STK11 wild-type allele and compensate the side effect of the c.597 G>A splicing mutation, being responsible for the phenotypic variability observed within this family. This finding highlight the importance of RNA analysis in genetic testing, remarking that silent DNA variant can often be splicing variant involved in disease onset and progression. The identification of these variants has a crucial role to ensure an appropriate follow-up and cancer prevention in at-risk individuals.

Primary experience of small bowel polypectomy with balloon-assisted enteroscopy in young pediatric Peutz-Jeghers syndrome patients

For Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) patients, small bowel polyps develop and result in symptoms at an early age. Balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) is verified as a safe and efficient choice to evaluate and remove small intestinal polyps in adult PJS. But the safety of BAE, especially BAE-facilitated polypectomy for young pediatrics, is little known. This prospective study focused on the effectiveness and safety of BAE-facilitated polypectomy in small bowel for young pediatric PJS. PJS patients (aged 0-14 years old) with BAE (including both single-balloon and double-balloon enteroscopies) were included from 1 September 2012 to 30 April 2018. The demographic data, medical history, and details of BAE were recorded. BAE-related complications and symptom relief after BAE were evaluated and compared between the PJS patients aged 5-10 years old (the younger pediatric group) and those aged 11-14 years old (the older pediatric group). A total of 41 pediatric PJS patients (5-14 years old) subjected to 82 BAEs were included. BAE-facilitated polypectomy was performed for 33 children (80.5%), and 242 polyps in small bowel were removed. For 10 (24.4%) patients, one or more giant polyps (maximum diameter larger than 5 cm) were removed. For eight patients, no polypectomy was done as no polyps were observed (six subjects) or not suitable for BAE-facilitated polypectomy (two subjects) because of high risk of perforation. The complication rates of BAE and BAE-facilitated polypectomy were 1.2% (1/82) and 1.8% (1/55), and the symptom relief rate was 70.8% (17/24). Compared with the older pediatric group, the younger pediatric group showed no increased BAE complication rate (0.0% vs. 5.0%, p = 0.488) and a comparable rate of symptom relief after BAE therapy (80.8% vs. 55.6%, p = 0.356).Conclusion: BAE-facilitated polypectomy in young pediatric PJS is safe and effective.What is known:• Small bowel evaluation and prophetic polypectomy are important for pediatric PJS patients to avoid polyp-related intussusception, obstruction, and bleeding.• BAE polypectomy was a recommended intervention for removing small bowel polyps in adult PJS patients.What is new:• BAE-facilitated small bowel polypectomy is safe and effective for young pediatric PJS, even for those aged less than 10 years old.

Malignant tumors associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: Five cases from a single surgical unit

BACKGROUND

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease easily causing secondary malignant changes without effective treatments.

AIM

To assess the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of malignant changes secondary to PJS.

METHODS

The clinical data of five patients with malignant changes secondary to PJS diagnosed and treated at Beijing Friendship Hospital from June 2014 to January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed; the follow-up ended in May 2018.

RESULTS

There were three male and two female patients with an average age of 43.6 years. Intestinal obstruction, intussusception, and abdominal pain were the first symptoms. Computed tomography and gastrointestinal imaging combined with endoscopy helped evaluate the depth of tumor infiltration and determine the need for radical resection. Three patients underwent surgery. Postoperative pathology confirmed adenocarcinoma, genetic test indicated STK11 mutation, and the patients received chemotherapy, including one who succumbed to tumor progression 6 months post-surgery. Other two patients underwent endoscopic resection, and postoperative pathology confirmed high grade intraepithelial neoplasia. The surviving patients had no recurrence by May 2018.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopy combined with computed tomography and gastrointestinal imaging is of great significance in the diagnosis and treatment of PJS, and pathological examination and gene detection are the gold standards for detecting malignant changes secondary to PJS. Some malignant polyps can be removed under endoscopy, and surgery is feasible when malignant polyps cannot be removed under an endoscope. For patients unable to achieve R0 resection, clinical symptoms should be relieved, and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy could improve long-term prognosis. Meanwhile, close and regular surveillance should be conducted to prevent severe complications.