Vanishing White Matter, Dysmyelinating, and Hypomyelinating Leukodystrophy
Test Details
TEST CODE | NGS375 |
TEST METHODOLOGY | NGS |
TAT (TURNAROUND TIME) | 2 - 4 weeks |
GENES | 133 |
CPT CODE | 81405, 81406 x3, 81479 |
PRICE | $1995 |
RECOMMENDED MNG KITS |
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Clinical Information
Clinical Significance | Vanishing white matter disease (VWM) is one of the most prevalent inherited childhood leukoencephalopathies, also named Childhood Ataxia with Central Nervous System Hypomyelination/ Vanishing White Matter disease (CACH/VWM). The disorder is characterized by ataxia, spasticity, and variable optic atrophy. The phenotypic range includes a prenatal/congenital form, a subacute infantile form (onset age <1 year), an early childhood onset form (onset age 1-5 years), a late childhood/ juvenile onset form (onset age 5-15 years), and an adult onset form. The prenatal/congenital form is characterized by severe encephalopathy. In the later onset forms, initial motor and intellectual development is normal or mildly delayed followed by neurologic deterioration with a chronic progressive or subacute course. Chronic progressive decline can be exacerbated by rapid deterioration during febrile illnesses or following head trauma or major surgical procedures, or by acute psychological stresses such as extreme fright. The classical phenotype is characterized by early childhood onset of chronic neurological deterioration, dominated by cerebellar ataxia. VWM is unusual because of its clinically evident sensitivity to febrile infections, minor head trauma, and acute fright, which may cause rapid neurological deterioration and unexplained coma. Most patients die a few years after onset. |
Relevant Diseases |
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Specimen Information
Acceptable Sample Types |
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Sample Preparation: | (1) Blood specimens: Draw blood in an EDTA tube. Preferred volume: 4 milliliters (adults and pediatrics), Minimum volume: 2 milliliters; (2) DNA extracted from leukocytes, muscle, or fibroblasts: Preferred quantity: 4 micrograms, Minimum quantity: 3 micrograms (Genomic DNA should be eluted in sterile Dnase/Rnase free water or TE. The A260:A280 ratio should be 1.8-2.0.); (3) 2 T-25 flasks of fibroblasts; (4) 50-75 milligrams muscle snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and maintained at -80°Celsius or below. (5) Skin biopsy (Fibroblasts will be cultured from skin specimen for genetic testing): Skin biopsy may be taken from the inner forearm with a sterile skin punch (2-5 millimeters) or at incision site of muscle biopsy. Site is sterilized with alcohol swabs only (other reagents will inhibit cell isolation/growth). Biopsy site may be anaesthetized with 2% lidocaine with epinephrine. Depth of punch is 2mm. Transfer skin biopsy into 15 milliliter conical tube filled with sterile culture media. (6) Buccal cells. |
Shipping Condition: | MNG SmartKits are available for free shipping of specimens. Please see our website for details. If you are not using a MNG SmartKit: (1) Blood specimens should be shipped in a secure container at room temperature. (2) Extracted DNA should be shipped priority overnight at ambient temperature. (3) T-25 flasks containing fibroblasts should be shipped in an insulated container at room temperature. Flasks should be completely filled with media and cells should be ~90% confluent. Fibroblast samples must be certified free from Mycoplasma. MNG is able to perform this service for a small charge (See TC05). (4) Muscle samples should be shipped frozen in an insulated container with 5-7 lbs dry ice. (5) Buccal cells should be shipped in a secure container at room temperature. (6) Skin Biopsy: Conical containing the skin specimen should be shipped in a secure container with cold pack (DO NOT FREEZE). All samples should be shipped overnight at the proper temperature for receipt by our lab Monday thru Saturday (No Sunday or holiday deliveries accepted). |