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Tuberous sclerosis complex

Last reviewed: 10 Oct 2025
Last updated: 07 Jan 2025

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • family history
  • epilepsy
  • cardiac rhabdomyoma (single or multiple)
  • renal angiomyolipomas
  • lymphangioleiomyomatosis of the lung
  • cerebral subependymal calcified nodules
  • multiple cortical tubers and/or radial migration lines
  • giant cell astrocytoma
  • facial angiofibromas
  • cephalic plaque(s)
  • nontraumatic ungual or periungual fibromas
  • hypomelanotic macules
  • shagreen patch(es) (connective tissue nevus)
  • retinal nodular hamartoma(s)
  • polycystic kidney disease
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • numerous dental enamel pits and intraoral fibromas
  • autism
  • cognitive impairment
  • behavioral problems
  • multiple hamartomatous colonic polyps
Full details

Risk factors

  • genetic predisposition
Full details

Diagnostic tests

Tests to consider

  • genetic testing
  • brain MRI
  • neurodevelopmental assessment
  • electroencephalogram (EEG)
  • ECG
  • echocardiography
  • abdominal MRI
  • glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
  • blood pressure
  • high-resolution chest CT
  • pulmonary function tests and 6-minute walk test
  • skeletal x-ray
  • colonoscopy
  • renal biopsy
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

renal cell carcinoma (suspected or confirmed)

intracranial aneurysm

ONGOING

neurologic

skin lesions

renal

cardiovascular

pulmonary

cognitive and behavioral

Contributors

Authors

Francis J. DiMario Jr, MD, MA, FAAP

Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology

University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Associate Chair for Academic Affairs and Faculty Development

Department of Pediatrics

Academic Chief Emeritus

Division of Pediatric Neurology

Connecticut Children's Medical Center

Hartford

CT

Disclosures

FJD is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Peer reviewers

Robert Robinson, MBBS, MA, MRCP, PhD

Consultant Paediatric Neurologist

Great Ormond Street Hospital

London

UK

Declarações

RR declares that he has no competing interests.

David Neal Franz, MD

Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology

Director

Tuberous Sclerosis Clinic

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Cincinnati

OH

Declarações

DNF declares that he has no competing interests.

Créditos aos pareceristas

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Referências

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Principais artigos

Northrup H, Aronow ME, Bebin EM, et al. Updated international tuberous sclerosis complex diagnostic criteria and surveillance and management recommendations. Pediatr Neurol. 2021 Oct;123:50-66.Texto completo  Resumo

Caban C, Khan N, Hasbani DM, et al. Genetics of tuberous sclerosis complex: implications for clinical practice. Appl Clin Genet. 2016 Dec 21;10:1-8.Texto completo  Resumo

Amin S, Kingswood JC, Bolton PF, et al. The UK guidelines for management and surveillance of tuberous sclerosis complex. QJM. 2019 Mar 1;112(3):171-82.Texto completo  Resumo

de Vries PJ, Whittemore VH, Leclezio L, et al. Tuberous sclerosis associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND) and the TAND Checklist. Pediatr Neurol. 2015 Jan;52(1):25-35.Texto completo  Resumo

Li M, Zhou Y, Chen C, et al. Efficacy and safety of mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin and its analogues) for tuberous sclerosis complex: a meta-analysis. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2019 Feb 13;14(1):39.Texto completo  Resumo

Artigos de referência

Uma lista completa das fontes referenciadas neste tópico está disponível para os usuários com acesso total ao BMJ Best Practice.
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