Two AOS genes attributed to familial exudative vitreoretinopathy with microcephaly: Two case reports

Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is an inherited disorder, which is mostly reported to be associated with the mutation of genes involved in the Wnt signaling pathway related to β-catenin. To the best of our knowledge, the involvement of Adams-Oliver syndrome (AOS) genes in FEVR patients have not been reported before.

Two patients with FEVR presented with microcephaly. One of them showed slight scarring of the scalp vertex which is a typical manifestation of AOS. The whole exon sequencing confirmed the diagnosis of AOS with 2 AOS-gene mutations at DOCK6 and ARHGAP31. Further clinical examination revealed that their parents with the same mutations showed FEVR-like vascular anomalies.

Both patients were diagnosed with AOS through whole exon sequencing, and they presented with some FEVR-like retinopathy including retinal detachment.

Both patients received vitrectomy for tractional retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. During the follow-up, 1 patient received additional laser photocoagulation for tractional retinal detachment.

The 2 patients remained stable in the latest follow up after the treatment.

Microcephaly could be associated with some form of retinopathy. We proposed that mutation of DOCK6 and ARHGAP31 genes could be the possible cause of FEVR associated with microcephaly. Our study suggested that these genes may be candidate genes of FEVR.