Klippel-trenaunay-weber Syndrome Website Links For
Syndrome
 

Information About

Klippel-trenaunay-weber Syndrome




  ICD10 <BR>( EUROCAT Q8721)
  ICD9
  Image
  Caption
  ICDO
  OMIM 149000
  DiseasesDB 29324
  MedlinePlus
  EMedicineSubj derm
  EMedicineTopic 213
  MeshID D007715


Klippel Trenaunay-Weber syndrome or '''KTS''' is a medical condition in which Blood Vessel s and/or Lymph Vessels fail to form properly.


TERMINOLOGY

There exists some controversy over the terminology.






SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS


Although the cause and processes surrounding Klippel Trenaunay syndrome are poorly understood, the birth defect is diagnosed by the presence of a combination of these symptoms on approximately ¼th of the body:


Note that KTS can either affect blood vessels, lymph vessels, or both. Most commonly is a mixture of the two. Those with veinous involvements are subject to an overall harder lifestyle due to the increased pain and complications.

The birth defect affects men and women equally, and is not limited to any racial group. It is not believed to be genetic in nature, although testing is ongoing. {Link without Title}


TREATMENT


KTS is a complex syndrome, and no single treatment is applicable for everyone. The best method for deciding on a treatment is to talk to your doctor

Debulking has been the most widely used treatment for the syndrome, and has been used for decades. Progress has been made in this method over the course of the past couple decades, but it is still an invasive procedure, and has many complications. As other choices now exist for KTS patients, this method is generally reserved as a last resort.

Mayo Clinic has reported the largest experience in managing KTS with major surgery. In 39 years at Mayo clinic the surgery teem evaluated 252 consecutive cases of KTS, of which only 145 (57.5%) could be treated by primary surgery. The immediate success rate for treating varicose veins was only 40%, excision of vascular malformation was possible in 60%, debulking operations in 65%, and correction of bone deformity and limb length correction (epiphysiodesis) had 90 % success. All the procedures demonstrated high recurrence rate in the follow up. Mayo clinic studies demonstrate that primary surgical management of KTS has limitations and non-surgical approaches needs to be developed for offering a better quality of life in these patients. Major surgery including amputation and debulking surgery does not seem to offer any benefit on a long-term basis.


Compression garments are finding more use as of the last ten years. The greatest issue with KTS syndrome is that the blood flow and/or lymph flow may be impeded, and will pool in the affected area. This can cause pain, swelling, inflammations, and in some cases, even infection. Compression garments can be used to alleviate almost all of these, and when combined with elevation of the affected area and proper management, can result in a comfortable lifestyle for the patient without any surgery. Compression garments are also used lately after a debulking procedure to maintain the results of the procedure. While compression garments are not applicable for everyone, they are relatively cheap (compared to surgery), and have little side-effects. Though side-effects are generally minor or non-existent, there is a slight risk that the pooling may be moved to a more undesirable location, such as the groin.

Other treatments are also available, including other surgical procedures and Massage Therapy . There is not, however, any sort of cure for KTS, at this time.


NOTABLE CASES



REFERENCES






EXTERNAL LINKS