[When is the optimal time for hip ultrasound screening?]

The perfect time for hip screening is when every pathologically deformed hip can be diagnosed by sonography and after spontaneous resolution of immature, dysplastic hips. In addition, the beginning of therapy should be early enough to provide the best possible outcome concerning the anatomically correct healing of the patient's hip. Even though every child should be screened by sonography in the first few days of life, a reasonable way could be ultrasound screening in the first week for clinically unstable hips or newborns with risk factors such as breech position combined with ultrasound screening of every newborn between the fourth and sixth week.

Caudal regression syndrome and popliteal webbing in connection with maternal diabetes mellitus: a case report and literature review

Introduction

Most cases of caudal regression are sporadic or associated with gestational/maternal diabetes. The condition is thought to be part of a spectrum including imperforate anus, sacral agenesis and sirenomelia. Infants of diabetic mothers have two to three times the average incidence of congenital anomalies.

Case Presentation

We report on a 7-year-old boy from non-consanguineous family in Austria was born with features of caudal regression syndrome. A constellation of malformation complex such as caudal regression syndrome and anorectal malformation complex were evident at birth. Of great interest was the abnormal articulation between the pelvis and the remaining abnormal spine. Spinal-pelvic instability, dislocation of the hip, and knee-flexion contracture associated with popliteal webbing were the major orthopaedic abnormalities.

Conclusion

We showed that an offspring of a diabetic mother was at significant risk of developing caudal regression syndrome. Our present patient demonstrated type1 of Welch and Aterman classification. There was total sacral agenesis associated with subtotal lumbar agenesis. The lowest vertebrae were resting above an iliac amphiathrosis. We strongly encourage primary care providers to discuss the consequences of maternal diabetes mellitus as part of routine anticipatory guidance for antenatal/prenatal management. Careful diabetic control in the preconceptional period and the first eight weeks of pregnancy may lower the chances of congenital anomalies.

Deformity correction in children with hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets

X-linked hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets can induce various multiplanar deformities of the lower limb. We evaluated our ability to correct these deformities and assessed complications and recurrence rates in 10 children (eight girls and a pair of twin boys) followed from early childhood to skeletal maturity. We performed 37 corrective operations in 10 children. Depending on the patient's age, external fixation was used in 53 segments: Kirschner wires in 18, DynaFix in three, the Taylor Spatial Frame device in 13, and the Ilizarov device in 19. Internal fixation with intramedullary nailing was performed in 12. After bone consolidation, we radiographically determined the mechanical axis at an average distance of 0.5 cm medial to the center of the knee. The average mechanical lateral distal femoral angle was 85 degrees (range, 83 degrees-92 degrees) and the average mechanical medial proximal tibial angle was 91 degrees (range, 85 degrees-92 degrees). Deviation of the mechanical axis and knee orientation lines was increased at the followups conducted during a period of 5 to 12 months. Additional followups revealed a recurrence rate of 90% after the first corrective procedure and 60% after a second procedure.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Outward bulging of the right parietal bone in connection with fibrous dysplasia in an infant: a case report

Background

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a developmental disease of bone in which there is replacement of normal spongiosa and filling of the medullary cavity of affected bones by an abnormal fibrous tissue that contains trabeculae of poorly calcified primitive bone formed by osseous metaplasia. Fibrous dysplasia is a common benign bone disease existing in monostotic and polyostotic forms. It is sometimes associated with aneurysmal bone cysts, and it is a component of McCune-Albright and Mazabraud syndromes.

Case presentation

We describe here a 4-months old Austrian infant who presented with a hard bulging painless mass of (5 x 3 cm) of the right parietal bone. Radiographs showed a large irregular osteolytic lesion. T1-weighted MR image showed significant expansile lesion associated with a dense zone of calcification in the diploic space. To the best of our knowledge this is the first clinical report of an infant with early presentation of monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the right parietal bone.

Conclusion

Fibrous dysplasia of the skull is a painless progressively expanding destructive bone swellings produce cosmetic deformities. The clinical course may be unpredictable, with sudden appearance of symptoms, some of which can be important and irreversible. In our present patient, the possibility that an early surgical correction might positively interfere with the natural history of the lesion has to be evaluated by taking into account the obvious difficulties that will be encountered in reconstructing the skull after a wide excision of the pathologic bone.

Acroform type of enchondromatosis associated with severe vertebral involvement and facial dysmorphism in a boy with a new variant of enchondromatosis type I1 of Spranger: case report and a review of the literature

Background

Enchondromatosis represent a heterogenous group of disorders. Spranger et al attempted a classification into 6 types: Ollier disease, Maffuci syndrome, metachondromatosis, spondyloenchondrodysplasia, enchondromatosis with irregular vertebral lesions, and generalized enchondromatosis. Halal and Azouz added 3 tentative categories to the 6 in the classification of Spranger et al.

Case presentation

We report on a 15-year-old boy with acrofrom upper limbs and mixed appearance of radiolucency, cysts and striae of fibro-chondromatosis. Lower limbs (femoral, tibial and fibular dysplasia showed enlarged metaphyses near the knees bilaterally) were present. Additional features of short stature, macrocephaly, facial dysmorphism, and generalised platyspondyly have been encountered. These bone shortenings were associated with bone bending, curving and rhizomelia of the upper limbs with significant macrodactyly. Limitations in articular movements were present. The forearm deformities were similar to those observed in hereditary multiple exostosis.

Conclusion

The acrofrom upper limbs with mixed appearances of radiolucencies, cysts and striae of fibro-chondromatosis are the basic features of type I1Spranger. The constellation of facial dysmorphic features and significant vertebral abnormalities in our present patient were not compatible with the above-mentioned type of enchondromatosis. Our report widens the knowledge of disorders characterised by enchondromatosis. Ascertainment of the mode of inheritance in our present patient was difficult because of insufficient family history and parents declined clinical/radiographic documentation.

A novel malformation complex of bilateral and symmetric preaxial radial ray-thumb aplasia and lower limb defects with minimal facial dysmorphic features: a case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Radial hemimelia is a congenital abnormality characterised by the partial or complete absence of the radius. The longitudinal hemimelia indicates the absence of one or more bones along the preaxial (medial) or postaxial (lateral) side of the limb. Preaxial limb defects occurred more frequently with a combination of microtia, esophageal atresia, anorectal atresia, heart defects, unilateral kidney dysgenesis, and some axial skeletal defects. Postaxial acrofacial dysostoses are characterised by distinctive facies and postaxial limb deficiencies, involving the 5th finger, metacarpal/ulnar/fibular/and metatarsal.

CASE PRESENTATION

The patient, an 8-year-old-boy with minimal craniofacial dysmorphic features but with profound upper limb defects of bilateral and symmetrical absence of the radius and the thumbs respectively. In addition, there was a unilateral tibio-fibular hypoplasia (hemimelia) associated with hypoplasia of the terminal phalanges and malsegmentation of the upper thoracic vertebrae, causing effectively the development of thoracic kyphosis.

CONCLUSION

In the typical form of the preaxial acrofacial dysostosis, there are aberrations in the development of the first and second branchial arches and limb buds. The craniofacial dysmorphic features are characteristic such as micrognathia, zygomatic hypoplasia, cleft palate, and preaxial limb defects. Nager and de Reynier in 1948, who used the term acrofacial dysostosis (AFD) to distinguish the condition from mandibulofacial dysostosis. Neither the facial features nor the limb defects in our present patient appear to be absolutely typical with the previously reported cases of AFD. Our patient expands the phenotype of syndromic preaxial limb malformation complex. He might represent a new syndromic entity of mild naso-maxillary malformation in connection with axial and extra-axial malformation complex.

Congenital contractures and distinctive phenotypic features consistent with Stuve-Wiedmann syndrome in a male infant

Introduction

Expressionless face associated with multiple contractures has been encountered in an infant. There is a wide range of misconception regarding the categorization of children with multiple contractures among different pediatric disciplines. The fundamental element in categorizing children with multiple contractures is "the etiological understanding". In the absence of concomitant neuromuscular disease, however, the search for other reasons is mandatory. Our present paper signifies the necessity of proper interpretations of unusual clinical and radiographic features.

Case presentation

We describe a 3-months-old-infant presented with the phenotypic and the radiographic features consistent with the diagnosis of Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome. We report what might be the first clinical report of Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome from a consanguineous family in Austria.

Conclusion

Congenital limitations of the hips in a newborn infant raise the possibility of " Congenital Hip Dislocation". As congenital hip dislocation is a dysplastic process. Here further knowledge by the pediatrician and the orthopaedic surgeon is needed. Our present patient appears to constitute a distinct pathological entity consistent with Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS). Superti-Furga et al, and Cormier-Daire et al, also suggest that Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome and Schwartz-Jampel syndrome type 2 are allelic conditions. We wish to stress that, given the rarity of syndromic malformation complex, our impression is that it is more common than it is reported.

Progressive joint limitations as the first alarming signs in a boy with short - limbed dwarfism: A case report

Introduction

Contracture is a condition of abnormal shortening or shrinkage of a muscle, and or a tendon often with persistent flexion or distortion at a joint. Careful documentation of the kind of contractures encountered in different paediatric disorders is important in distinguishing a specific subtype. Achondroplasia has been considered as the most common short-limbed dwarfism syndrome, but there are a variety of other syndromes within this category, and other types of limb shortening.

Case presentation

We report on a 5-year-old boy of Austrian origin who manifests progressive joint limitations in connection with a dysplastic form of short-limbed dwarfism namely chondrodysplasia punctata-tibial-metacarpal-type. Progressive joint limitations of maximal intensity over the hip, and the ankle joints were the main presenting features.

Conclusion

Osteochondrodysplasias involve abnormal bone or cartilage growth leading to skeletal maldevelopment, often short-limbed dwarfism. Diagnosis is by physical examination, radiographic documentation, and, in some cases, genetic testing. In patients with chondrodysplasia punctata, early life radiographic examination is fundamental, since resolution of the punctate calcifications leaving abnormal epiphyses and flared and irregular metaphyses after age one to three years seems to be characteristic.

Femoral-tibial-synostosis in a child with Roberts syndrome (Pseudothalidomide): a case report

Background

Roberts syndrome (Pseudothalidomide) is a rare birth defect that causes severe bone malformation complex. The bones of the arms, and in some cases other appendages, may be extremely shortened and even absent. The fingers of the hands may be fused. An extreme case results in the absence of the upper bones of both the arms and legs so that the hands and feet appear attached directly to the body. This is called tetraphocomelia.

Case presentation

We report on a two-year-old boy of Austrian origin who manifests a constellation of malformation complex include prenatal and postnatal growth retardation, craniofacial anomalies and defective development of all four extremities. The overall clinico-radiographic features were compatible with Roberts syndrome (Pseudothalidomide). Significant unilateral femoral-tibial synostosis was additional malformation.

Conclusion

Associated malformations and symptoms may be the key factor in the differential diagnosis of neonatal malformation complex. Roberts's syndrome may be genetically transmitted within families as an autosomal recessive trait or may be the result of spontaneous/sporadic changes in the gene. Because the signs of the disorder so closely mimic those caused by the ingestion of thalidomide, the term "pseudo-thalidomide" is frequently used.

In this report we describe total femorotibial fusion in a child manifesting the phenotypic features consistent with Roberts syndrome from a healthy parents but first cousins in Austria. Aggressive medical intervention is of prime importance, as is forthright parental counselling when discussing the possible outcome for these patients.

Achondroplasia manifesting as enchondromatosis and ossification of the spinal ligaments: a case report

Introduction

A girl presented with achondroplasia manifested as mild knee pain associated with stiffness of her back. A skeletal survey showed enchondroma-like metaphyseal dysplasia and ossification of the spinal ligaments. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine further clarified the pathological composites.

Case presentation

A 7-year-old girl presented with the classical phenotypic features of achondroplasia. Radiographic documentation showed the co-existence of metaphyseal enchondromatosis and development of spinal bony ankylosis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed extensive ossification of the anterior and posterior spinal ligaments. Additional features revealed by magnetic resonance imaging included calcification of the peripheral vertebral bodies associated with anterior end-plate irregularities.

Conclusion

Enchondromas are metabolically active and may continue to grow and evolve throughout the patient's lifetime; thus, progressive calcification over a period of years is not unusual. Ossification of the spinal ligaments has a specific site of predilection and often occurs in combination with senile ankylosing vertebral hyperostosis. Nevertheless, ossification of the spinal ligaments has been encountered in children with syndromic malformation complex. It is a multifactorial disease in which complex genetic and environmental factors interact, potentially leading to chronic pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots with subsequent development of myeloradiculopathy. Our patient presented with a combination of achondroplasia, enchondroma-like metaphyseal dysplasia and calcification of the spinal ligaments. We suggest that the development of heterotopic bone formation along the spinal ligaments had occurred through an abnormal ossified enchondral mechanism. We postulate that ossification of the spinal ligaments and metaphyseal enchondromatous changes are related to each other and represent impaired terminal differentiation of chondrocytes in this particular case. Standard radiographic examination showed spinal bony ankylosis only. The pathological composites of the vertebrae have been clarified using scanning technology. Extensive spinal ligament ossification associated with calcification of the peripheral vertebral bodies and anterior end-plate irregularities were notable. We report what may be a novel spinal and extraspinal malformation complex in a girl with achondroplasia.

Ball and socket ankle joint in connection with bilateral tarsal synostosis in a boy with congenital absence of the portal vain: a novel malformation complex

Background

Contracted valgus flat foot in the adolescent is frequently caused by tarsal synostosis or synchondrosis. These synostoses are prevalently symptomatic during adolescence, when by ossifying they block the subtalar joint in valgus. Careful and detailed examinations might reveal additional abnormalities.

Case presentation

A 16-year-old boy of Austrian origin presented with contracted valgus foot associated with tarsal hypomobility and pain. Talonavicular synostosis with ball and socket ankle joint was detected via lateral radiographs and 3 DCT scan. Preoperative laboratory investigations revealed leucocytopenia, and thrombopenia. Computerised abdominal tomography showed portal vein atresia and portopulmonary hypertension.

Conclusion

Clinical research is the corner stone to elucidate the aetiological understandings in patients with malformation complex. The latter is a critical task for the development of scientific bases for preventive strategies. Careful examination for these abnormalities should lead the clinician to earlier referral of patients for additional examination by a specialised medical team. This often enables more focused care for the individual and better characterisation/documentation of the malformation complex. The association of tarsal synostosis and the previously unreported associated occurrences of congenital absence of the portal vein, portopulmonary hypertension, cardiomegaly and splenomegaly have been encountered. We stress that our present patient illustrates and supports the pathophysiological hypotheses that have previously proposed for the concurrent existence of absent portal vein, hepatic nodular hyperplasia and portopulmonary hypertension. Nevertheless, no previous single report signifies the existence of tarsal synostosis in connection with the above-mentioned abnormalities.

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital in a child manifesting phenotypic features resembling dysosteosclerosis/osteosclerosis malformation complex; 3DCT scan analysis of the skull base

Introduction

A boy presented with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) associated with severe central nervous system dysfunction. The clinical history and the distinctive radiographic/tomographic features were consistent but not completely diagnostic for dysosteosclerosis.

Case presentation

A 5-year-old boy from a consanguineous family in Austria was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita in connection with central nervous system dysfunction. Recently he was referred to the orthopaedic department for further clinical assessment. Radiographic documentation showed significant sclerosis and thickening at the skull base with further extension to involve the craniocervical junction. Spinal radiographs showed platyspondyly of the thoracic vertebral bodies associated with widening of the intervertebral spaces. Long bones were not sclerotic as usually seen in the classical dysosteosclerosis phenotype. It is highly likely that long-term immobilization because of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita was the main reason behind this. 3 DCT scans showed significant hypertrophy of the clivus. The latter occupied the major space of the skull base. The overall radiographic and scanning images were compatible but not fully diagnostic with dysosteosclerosis/osteosclerosis malformation complex.

Conclusion

The skull base malformation complex in patients with dysosteosclerosis/osteosclerosis requires careful evaluation. 3DCT scanning of the skull base and the vertebrae could be useful tools for early recognition of the pathophysiological mechanism in patients with dysosteosclerosis/osteosclerosis/multiple contractures spectrum Previously, radiographs only have assessed the skull base pathology in patients with dysosteosclerosis, here we further characterize the pathology via 3DCT scan. Our patient illustrates extensive sclerosis of the skull base, associated with extremely hypertrophied clivus. The latter occupied the whole space of the skull base and the craniocervical junction.

We review the pertinent literature, discuss the differential diagnosis and suggest that our case was consistent but not fully compatible with dysosteosclerosis. We believe that our present patient represents either a novel type of dysosteosclerosis or a variant of osteosclerosis/arthrogryposis spectrum from a consanguineous family in Austria.

A hypoplastic atlas and long odontoid process in a girl manifesting phenotypic features resembling spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia joint laxity syndrome

Phenotypic features consistent but not completely diagnostic for spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia joint laxity (SEMDJL) were encountered in a 7-year-old-girl. Additional tomographic features of a hypoplastic atlas (assimilation of the posterior arch of the atlas) and unduly long odontoid process were seen. We report what might be a novel type of SEMDJL.

[Peromelia]

Peromelia is a rare but mutilating congenital deformity representing failure of formation of parts of the upper limb. The deformity is presented unilaterally in the vast majority of the cases. Usually, these children are totally healthy beside from the deformity and are not seriously handicapped by the deformity. Correction of the deformity by hand- or forearm transplantation is not yet possible. Treatment consists of support with prosthesis in case of missing upper- or forearm and construction of fingers by toe-to-hand transplantation in case of missing fingers and hand. Treatment is not mandatory as the children use the stump in combination with their unimpaired upper limb for bimanual daily life activities. The mutilating aspect of the deformity frequently does impair especially parents but also the children to a higher extent than the actual functional disability. Psychological aid is recommended to support children and parents in managing their life with this severe deformity.

Neurogenic hip dislocation in cerebral palsy: quality of life and results after hip reconstruction

BACKGROUND

At birth, no difference exists between the hips of children with spastic cerebral palsy and the hips of other children. The typical pathologic deformities of the hips in children with spastic cerebral palsy develop as the child gets older. One of our goals was to evaluate the change in quality of life of children with cerebral palsy after hip reconstruction. For classification of the children's condition, we assessed sitting and standing abilities and used the Gross Motor Function Classification System. To evaluate the effect of hip dislocation on the spine, we assessed symmetry while the patient was lying down, sitting, and standing.

METHODS

The results of surgical reconstruction of hip joints in 54 patients with severe cerebral palsy who had 66 severely subluxated or dislocated hip joints were retrospectively analyzed. The study was based on a research questionnaire with a mean follow-up of 4 years 10 months. The purpose of the questionnaire was to evaluate the pain, functional abilities, symmetry, and independence of the patients by using the modified Barthel index.

RESULTS

Pain was fully relieved in 62 and was eased in 35% of preoperatively painful hips. The functional abilities of sitting and standing were not influenced statistically significantly by the operation. An improvement in sitting symmetry was observed in 40% and improvement in lying symmetry was observed in 32% of the patients. The mean center-edge angle improved from -24.9 degrees +/- 39 degrees (mean +/- standard deviation) to 25.9 degrees +/- 14 degrees . The acetabular index improved from 30.2 degrees +/- 8 degrees to 17.1 degrees +/- 7 degrees .

CONCLUSIONS

The independence of the patients, based on the modified Barthel index, did not change significantly after surgery. Most improvements in quality of life were observed in those patients who had pain in the hip before the operation as a result of reduction of pain and improved mobility of the hip.

A patient with melorheostosis manifesting with features similar to tricho-dento-osseous syndrome: a case report

INTRODUCTION

A case of melorheostosis in association with tricho-dento-osseous (TDO) syndrome has been encountered.

CASE PRESENTATION

The clinical and the radiographic manifestations of melorheostosis have been encountered in a 41-year-old man. Mutations in the 13 exons and flanking intronic regions of the LEMD3-gene have not been detected. His phenotypic features were consistent but not completely diagnostic for tricho-dento-osseous syndrome (TDO). We report what might be a novel syndromic association.

CONCLUSION

Melorheostosis has not previously been reported to be a part of TDO and an extensive review of the literature suggests that the constellation of hair, tooth and bone abnormalities found in our patient either represents an unusual variant of tricho-dento-osseous syndrome or a new syndrome.

Two novel mutations in the GDAP1 and PRX genes in early onset Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome

Autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome (AR-CMT) is often characterised by an infantile disease onset and a severe phenotype. Mutations in the ganglioside-induced differentiation-associated protein 1 (GDAP1) gene are thought to be a common cause of AR-CMT. Mutations in the periaxin (PRX) gene are rare. They are associated with severe demyelination of the peripheral nerves and sometimes lead to prominent sensory disturbances. To evaluate the frequency of GDAP1 and PRX mutations in early onset CMT, we examined seven AR-CMT families and 12 sporadic CMT patients, all presenting with progressive distal muscle weakness and wasting. In one family also prominent sensory abnormalities and sensory ataxia were apparent from early childhood. In three families we detected four GDAP1 mutations (L58LfsX4, R191X, L239F and P153L), one of which is novel and is predicted to cause a loss of protein function. In one additional family with prominent sensory abnormalities a novel homozygous PRX mutation was found (A700PfsX17). No mutations were identified in 12 sporadic cases. This study suggests that mutations in the GDAP1 gene are a common cause of early-onset AR-CMT. In patients with early-onset demyelinating AR-CMT and severe sensory loss PRX is one of the genes to be tested.

Distinctive spinal changes in two patients with unusual forms of autosomal dominant endosteal hyperostosis: a case series

Endosteal hyperostosis was encountered in a 26-year-old-man and his 6-month-old daughter. Both the father and his daughter presented with fractures. Odontoid process hyperplasia, and progressive sclerosis of the posterior spinal elements, was the other significant features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical report describing distinctive spinal changes in association with fractures and endosteal hyperostosis.

Ischiopubic and odontoid synchondrosis in a boy with progressive pseudorheumatoid chondrodysplasia

PURPOSE

To present the case of a 14-year-old boy with clinical and radiographic features of pseudorheumatoid chondrodyspalsia with additional, potentially serious, cervical malformations.

METHODS

Detailed clinical and radiological examinations were undertaken with emphasis on the usefulness of 3D-CT scanning.

RESULTS

There was synchondrosis between the odontoid and the body of the axis and the cephalad part of the odontoid was detached. Bilateral ischiopubic ossification defects and ischiopubic and odontoid synchondroses were additional abnormalities. 3D-CT scan showed an orthotopic type of os odontoideum associated with an occult axial fracture.

CONCLUSION

Children who are younger than seven years of age are predisposed to develop odontoid fracture. The latter occur because of the presence of physiological odontoid synchondrosis, but fractures can result from trivial injuries as well as from high-energy trauma. The persistence of an infantile odontoid, with a large pre-adulthood head in children with skeletal dysplasias, is a major risk factor for sudden death or significant morbidity. Comprehensive orthopaedic management must follow early identification of these malformations.

Unusual facies, thumb hypoplasia, distinctive spinal fusions and extraspinal mobility limitation, in a pair of monozygotic twins

We report a pair of monozygotic twins with unusual facies and hypoplastic thumbs associated with progressive spinal fusion and joint immobility. The radiographic features were neither consistent with the multiple synostosis syndrome of Herrmann, nor with the spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome. The overall spinal radiographic abnormalities seen in our patients were suggestive of an exceptionally early onset of Forestier disease (anterolateral, perivertebral, ligament ossification), but the thumb hypoplasia and pterygium colli are not seen in that condition. We report what might be a novel genetic entity.

Further evidence for genetic heterogeneity of distal HMN type V, CMT2 with predominant hand involvement and Silver syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Distal hereditary motor neuropathy type V (dHMN-V) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome (CMT) type 2 presenting with predominant hand involvement, also known as CMT2D and Silver syndrome (SS) are rare phenotypically overlapping diseases which can be caused by mutations in the Berardinelli-Seip Congenital Lipodystrophy 2 (BSCL2) and in the glycyl-tRNA synthetase encoding (GARS) genes. Mutations in the heat-shock proteins HSPB1 and HSPB8 can cause related distal hereditary motor neuropathies (dHMN) and are considered candidates for dHMN-V, CMT2, and SS.

DESIGN

To define the frequency and distribution of mutations in the GARS, BSCL2, HSPB1 and HSPB8 genes we screened 33 unrelated sporadic and familial patients diagnosed as either dHMN-V, CMT2D or SS. Exon 3 of the BSCL2 gene was screened in further 69 individuals with an unclassified dHMN phenotype or diagnosed as hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) complicated by pure motor neuropathy.

RESULTS

Four patients diagnosed with dHMN-V or SS carried known heterozygous BSCL2 mutations (N88S and S90L). In one dHMN-V patient we detected a putative GARS mutation (A57V). No mutations were detected in HSPB1 and HSPB8. The diagnostic yield gained in the series of 33 probands was 12% for BSCL2 mutations and 3% for GARS mutations. In the series of unclassified dHMN and complicated HSP cases no mutations were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirm that most likely only two mutations (N88S, S90L) in exon 3 of BSCL2 may lead to dHMN-V or SS phenotypes. Mutations in GARS, HSPB1 and HSPB8. are not a common cause of dHMN-V, SS and CMT2D. We would therefore suggest that a genetic testing of dHMN-V and SS patients should begin with screening of exon 3 of the BSCL2 gene. Screening of the GARS gene is useful in patients with CMT2 with predominant hand involvement and dHMN-V. The rather low frequencies of BSCL2, GARS, HSPB1 and HSPB8 mutations in dHMN-V, CMT2D and SS patients strongly point to further genetic heterogeneity of these related disorders.

Vertebral hyperostosis, ankylosed vertebral fracture and atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in an elderly patient with a history of infantile idiopathic scoliosis; a case report

This is a case report of a 48-year-old-woman with scoliosis since early childhood. Recent radiographic spinal assessment revealed the presence of distinctive spinal abnormalities. To the best of our knowledge this is the first clinical report describing a constellation of unusual changes in an elderly woman with a history of infantile idiopathic scoliosis.

Radiographic evaluation of idiopathic clubfeet undergoing Ponseti treatment

BACKGROUND

The Ponseti method for treatment of idiopathic clubfeet involves the use of serial casts, percutaneous Achilles tenotomy in most cases, and bracing with an abduction orthosis to prevent relapse. Although Ponseti recommended evaluation of the infant clubfoot strictly by palpation, many orthopaedic surgeons still rely on radiographs for decision-making during treatment. The aim of this study was to document with radiographs the effect of percutaneous Achilles tenotomy as described by Ponseti.

METHODS

We conducted a study of idiopathic clubfeet treated, at two centers, with the Ponseti method, including percutaneous Achilles tenotomy. Cast treatment was started within three weeks after birth, and radiographs were made before and after the tenotomy. Lateral radiographs with the foot in maximal dorsiflexion at the ankle were made for all patients, and anteroposterior radiographs of the foot were made at one center. The lateral tibiocalcaneal angle, the anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle, and the lateral talocalcaneal angle were measured on the radiographs. Foot dorsiflexion at the ankle was evaluated clinically. The results from both centers were evaluated separately and in combination.

RESULTS

Lateral dorsiflexion radiographs that showed the foot and ankle were evaluated for eighty-seven clubfeet, and anteroposterior radiographs that showed the foot were evaluated for sixty-five clubfeet. The mean improvement in the lateral tibiocalcaneal angle after the tenotomy was 16.9 degrees . The mean change in the anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle was 2.1 degrees , and the mean change in the lateral talocalcaneal angle change was 1.4 degrees . The mean increase in clinically measured dorsiflexion after the tenotomy (in sixty-five feet) was 15.1 degrees . Only the lateral tibiocalcaneal angle and dorsiflexion as measured clinically changed significantly after the Achilles tenotomy (p < 0.05). When the results at each center were analyzed separately, they were found to be nearly identical.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase in the lateral tibiocalcaneal angle after Achilles tenotomy is essentially the same as the increase in ankle dorsiflexion seen on clinical examination. The anteroposterior and lateral talocalcaneal angles are not influenced significantly by the tenotomy. Radiographs confirmed that the additional dorsiflexion obtained from the percutaneous Achilles tenotomy is true dorsiflexion occurring in the ankle and hindfoot and not in the midfoot.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV.