A comparison of the Berlin and Ghent nosologies and the influence of duralectasia in the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome

Purpose: To compare the Berlin and Ghent diagnostic criteria for Marfan syn drome and evaluate the utility of screening for dural ectasia in the diagno sis of Marfan syndrome. Methods: Review of clinical and radiographic data o n 73 patients evaluated for Marfan syndrome at the National Institutes of H ealth. Results: Nineteen percent of patients diagnosed under the Berlin cri teria failed to meet the Ghent standard. Dural ectasia was the second most common major diagnostic manifestation, and screening for dural ectasia esta blished the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome in 23% of patients under the Ghent criteria. Conclusions: Some patients are appropriately excluded from the d iagnosis of Marfan syndrome by the Ghent criteria. Determination of dural e ctasia is valuable in the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome.