Consider Chiari Grand Rounds: "Mast Cell Activation" - Anne Maitland, MD, PhD

Dr. Anne Maitland presented on mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) in a seminar aimed at educating medical professionals about recognizing and treating mast cell dysfunction, especially in patients seen in neurology and neurosurgery clinics. She highlighted the interaction between mast cells, connective tissue, and nerves, explaining how this can lead to a range of symptoms, including those seen in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Dr. Maitland emphasized the challenges in diagnosing these conditions due to their varied manifestations across different organ systems and underscored the need for multidisciplinary approaches. She stressed that current diagnostic criteria often miss cases of MCAS, and she advocated for more comprehensive testing, including tissue biopsies, to understand underlying mechanisms better. Overall, the talk focused on improving diagnosis and management of MCAS, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment plans and the connections to other systemic issues patients may present.