Neurological Complications of Sturge-Weber Syndrome: Current Status and Unmet Needs

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to identify the current status and major unmet needs in the management of neurological complications in Sturge-Weber syndrome.

Methods: An expert panel consisting of neurologists convened during the Sturge-Weber Foundation Clinical Care Network conference in September 2018. Literature regarding current treatment strategies for neurological complications was reviewed.

Results: Although strong evidence-based standards are lacking, the implementation of consensus-based standards of care and outcome measures to be shared across all Sturge-Weber Foundation Clinical Care Network Centers are needed. Each patient with Sturge-Weber syndrome should have an individualized seizure action plan. There is a need to determine the appropriate abortive and preventive treatment of migraine headaches in Sturge-Weber syndrome. Likewise, a better understanding and better diagnostic modalities and treatments are needed for stroke-like episodes. As behavioral problems are common, the appropriate screening tools for mental illnesses and the timing for screening should be established. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) preferably done after age one year is the primary imaging modality of choice to establish the diagnosis, although advances in MRI techniques can improve presymptomatic diagnosis to identify patients eligible for preventive drug trials.

Conclusion: We identified the unmet needs in the management of neurological complications in Sturge-Weber syndrome. We define a minimum standard brain MRI protocol to be used by Sturge-Weber syndrome centers. Future multicenter clinical trials on specific treatments of Sturge-Weber syndrome-associated neurological complications are needed. An improved national clinical database is critically needed to understand its natural course, and for retrospective and prospective measures of treatment efficacy.

Keywords: Consensus statement; Magnetic resonance imaging; Migraine; Port-wine birthmark; Seizures; Stroke-like episodes.