In 2021, the International Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Consensus Group reviewed prevalence and specificity of TSC-associated clinical manifestations and updated the TSC criteria for diagnosis, surveillance and management published in 2013. The published paper is available here. The papers published in relation to the 2013 guidelines are available below.
For individuals who are not healthcare professionals, below is a brief summary of the consensus recommendations for monitoring individuals with TSC. The updated diagnostic criteria for TSC is available here.
You can also get a printable pdf of both the diagnositc criteria and the surveillance and management guidelines by clicking here.
Surveillance and Management Recommendations for TSC
| PROCEDURE | FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED OR SUSPECTED TSC |
FOR INDIVIDUALS ALREADY DIAGNOSED WITH TSC |
|---|---|---|
|
BRAIN |
||
| Brain MRI with and without gadolinium | Yes | Every 1-3 years up to age 25; periodically as adults if SEGAs present in childhood |
| Electroencephalogram (EEG) | Yes; if abnormal, follow-up with 24-hour video EEG | Routine EEG determined by clinical need; video EEG when seizure occurrence is unclear or when unexplained behavioral or neurological changes occur |
| TAND checklist | Yes | At least annually at each clinical visit |
| Comprehensive evaluation for TAND | If warranted by TAND checklist analysis | At key development time points (years): 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 12-16, 28-35, and as needed thereafter |
| Counsel parents of infants | Educate parents to recognize infantile spasms* | Not applicable |
| SKIN, EYES, TEETH | ||
| Complete eye exam with dilated fundoscopy | Yes | Annually if lesions or symptoms identified at baseline |
| Detailed skin exam | Yes | Annually |
| Detailed dental exam | Yes | Every 6 months |
| Panoramic radiographs of teeth | If age 7 or older | At age 7 if not done previously |
| HEART | ||
| Fetal echocardiography | only if rhabdomyomas identified by prenatal ultrasound | Not applicable |
| Echocardiogram | Yes in children, especially if younger than 3 years | Every 1-3 years if rhabdomyoma present in asymptomatic children; more frequently in symptomatic individuals |
| Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) | Yes | Every 3-5 years; more frequently if symptomatic |
| KIDNEYS | ||
| Blood pressure | Yes | Annually |
| Abdominal MRI** | Yes | Every 1-3 years |
| Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) test | Yes | Annually |
| LUNGS | ||
| Clinical screening for LAM symptoms*** | Yes | At each clinic visit |
| Pulmonary function test and 6-minute walk test | In all females age 18 or older; in adult males only if symptomatic | Annually if lung cysts detected by high resolution computed tomography (HCRT) |
| High resolution computed tomography (HCRT) of chest | In females 18 years and older; in adult males only if symptomatic | Every 2-3 years if lung cysts detected on HRCT; otherwise every 5-10 years |
| Counsel on risks of smoking and estrogen use | In adolescent and adult females | At each clinic visit for individuals at risk of LAM |
| GENETICS | ||
| Genetics consultation | Obtain 3-generation family history | Offer genetic testing of TSC1/2 and counseling if not done previously in individuals of reproductive age |
| *Treat infantile spasms with vigabatrin as first-line therapy. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) can be used as a second-line therapy if vigabatrin treatment is unsuccessful.
**Currently in Australia an ultrasound/imaging of the kidneys is much more commonly used in place of an MRI of the abdomen. ***Evaluate for LAM when symptoms such as unexplained chronic cough, chest pain, or breathing difficulties are present including exertional dyspnea and shortness of breath. |
||
Help us provide high quality TSC information
We rely on the generosity of donors and fundraisers to publish these information pages and keep them up to date. Please support our work if you can so we can continue to provide life changing information and support to families like Harrison’s. Donate now.
Peer-Reviewed, Published Consensus Papers
The following papers are available free of charge with open access to anyone in the world. We encourage you to share these links with your health professionals. Additional publications will be added to this page as they become available.