Gaucher disease. Unusual presentation and mini-review

Neurosciences (Riyadh). 2015 Jul;20(3):271-6. doi: 10.17712/nsj.2015.3.20140622.

Abstract

We aim to describe an 8-year-old boy with an unusual clinical presentation of Gaucher disease (GD). Gaucher disease is a progressive lysosomal storage disorder due to deficiency of the specific enzyme glucocerebrosidase with varying clinical features, but often involving the monocytes-macrophages systems. This child ran a progressive course with a devastating outcome. Three distinct GD subtypes have been described with varying clinical features based on the presence or absence of neurologic involvement. Gaucher disease diagnosis is obtained via: enzyme activity assay, gene mutation study, bone marrow aspiration in addition to multiple other tests that have been successfully used in diagnosis of cases of GD. Treatment modalities include enzyme replacement treatment, substrate reduction therapy, bone marrow transplantation, blood transfusion, and surgery are available management modalities for GD. Gaucher disease is a chronic disease requiring a multidisciplinary team approach with regular follow up with multiple subspecialties.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Gaucher Disease / diagnosis*
  • Gaucher Disease / pathology
  • Gaucher Disease / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male