eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Diseases of the Vessels

Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome: Follow-up

Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: May 6, 2009

Follow-up

Prognosis

  • Most patients with Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, or hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), have a favorable prognosis.
  • The prognosis depends on the degree of systemic involvement, especially involvement of the pulmonary, hepatic, and central nervous systems. Only 10% of patients die from complications of their disease.

Patient Education

  • Educate patients about the possibility of their offspring having the disorder or being carriers.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • The heritable nature of HHT requires diagnostic accuracy. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, encourage the family to undergo screening.
  • A failure to screen for complications such as pulmonary AVMs and cerebral vascular malformations may lead to liability issues.

Special Concerns

  • Antenatal treatment of women with HHT and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations may prevent potentially life-threatening fetomaternal complications.
 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors, Geromanta Baleviciene, MD, and Richard J. Cervin, MD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome

Overview: Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome
Treatment & Medication: Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome
Follow-up: Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome
Multimedia: Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, HHT, morbus Osler, Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome, Rendu-Osler syndrome, Osler's disease, Osler disease

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Mark A Crowe, MD, Assistant Clinical Instructor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine
Mark A Crowe, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and North American Clinical Dermatologic Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

David F Butler, MD, Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic
David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Christen M Mowad, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Christen M Mowad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Glen H Crawford, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Dermatology, The Pennsylvania Hospital
Glen H Crawford, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society of USAF Flight Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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