Introduction:
Fibrous cephalic plaques (FCP) are a characteristic manifestation of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and occur in one third of cases. Their natural history and long term course is unknown, as is the outcome of long term follow-up of TSC cases in old age.
Phenotype and methods:
We describe an 80 year old with TSC due to a c.2784dupC TSC2 mutation, who was diagnosed in infancy with an FCP and was regularly followed up at the TSC clinic over 8 decades with regular epilepsy treatment and renal monitoring.
Results:
Regular clinical photography and clinical records document the plaque at different ages. The FCP naturally resolved at 74 years. Facial angiofibromas also faded with time in the last decade. His epilepsy and renal abnormalities remained under control with careful surveillance and monitoring.
Discussion:
Natural aging in the eighth decade causes progressive laxity of collagen and leads to natural resolution of FCPs. This novel finding with a unique 80 year follow up yields valuable insights into the aging changes within FCPs and facial angiofibromas as the pathways linking facial angiofibromas and FCP's through the TGF-β1 pathway are now being elucidated.
Conclusion:
We present a clinical odyssey showing the natural progression and history of FCPs in TSC and comment on the mechanistic pathways allowing potential interventions in this disfiguring condition. TSC cases can be successfully managed and complications - particularly in the brain and kidney, can be avoided over an entire lifetime. This is encouraging for long term prospects for patients with TSC.