Platelet type bleeding disorder-18 (BDPLT18) caused by mutations of Ras guanyl releasing protein 2 (RASGRP2) is a relatively rare, new autosomal recessive disorder. Here, we reported a splice mutation in RASGRP2 gene in the patient with recurrent epistaxis and nasal vascular malformation. The patient, an 8-year-old girl, suffered from anemia due to frequently severe recurrent epistaxis, requiring regular blood transfusions every 2-3 months. Hematological investigations showed moderate anemia (Hb: 89 g/L), normal platelet count, morphology, and platelet glycoproteins. Arachidonic acid and adenosine diphosphate induced platelet aggregation was markedly reduced in the patient. A homozygous splice variant (C.74-1 G>C) in RASGRP2 gene, located within the exon 3, was detected by next-generation sequencing. Interestingly, we identified nasal vascular malformation by percutaneous super-selective angiography during the treatment of an intractable epistaxis. Our case further support that genetic testing should be performed for some unexplained bleeding diseases.
Keywords: BDPLT18; RASGRP2 gene; epistaxis; vascular malformation.
What is the context? Platelet type bleeding disorder-18 (BDPLT18) caused by mutations of Ras guanyl releasing protein 2 (RASGRP2) is a rare bleeding disorder and is likely to be underrecognized due to the difficulty of diagnosis.Next-generation sequencing helps accurately diagnose the challenging disease.We present a case of a patient exhibiting lifelong severe recurrent epistaxis as the initial clinical manifestation, the patient was finally diagnosed with BDPLT18 and nasal artery malformation after seven years.What is new? In this study, we present a case of a patient diagnosed as BDPLT18.The patient’s symptoms and laboratory tests are described in our report and a homozygous splicing variant (C.74-1 G>C) in the exon 3 of RASGRP2 gene was identified by next-generation sequencing.Interestingly, we identified nasal vascular malformation by percutaneous super-selective angiography during the treatment of an intractable epistaxis, which hasn’t been reported before.What is the impact? Our case further support that genetic testing should be performed for some unexplained bleeding diseases.Meanwhile, our case illustrated that the coexistence of a RASGRP2 pathogenic variant mutation and nasal vascular malformation can lead to a severe bleeding phenotype in patients.