Prenatal diagnosis of Gollop-Wolfgang Complex

A case report of Gollop-Wolfgang complex in 12 years old boy

INTRODUCTION

The Gollop-Wolfgang Complex (GWC) was initially described by Gollop et al. and is a rare congenital limb anomaly disorder characterized by the association of distal bifid femur and tibial agenesis.

CASE PRESENTATION

This study presents a case of a 12-year-old boy with Gollop-Wolfgang Complex (GWC), a rare congenital limb anomaly disorder characterized by the association of distal bifid femur and tibial agenesis. The patient did not have any VACTERL abnormalities and had a normal level of intelligence. Examination revealed coxa valga in both hips and upper limbs on both sides, a shortened left leg with a palpable bony protuberance and absence of the patella, and a shortened right leg with a palpable fibula lateral to the knee and absent tibia with severe knee varus deformity on both sides. Both feet revealed equinovarus deformity with ectrodactyly. The patient underwent through-knee amputation and was fitted with two prostheses to provide enhanced functional support.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The etiology of GWC is still unknown, but errors in the complex genetic control of limb development are believed to be related.

CONCLUSION

Treatment choice depends on the deformity type, with through-knee amputation recommended for cases with observed flexion contracture, bifid femur, and tibial hemimelia, followed by modern prosthesis fitting for optimal outcomes. This case illustrates the efficacy of this surgical management and highlights the need for ongoing follow-up care.

Fatty filum terminale and low-lying conus medullaris in Gollop-Wolfgang complex: a case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND/IMPORTANCE

Gollop-Wolfgang complex is a rare skeletal dysplasia with only 200 cases reported in the literature. This disorder is usually associated with several extraosseous anomalies. This report describes the first case of a fatty filum terminale and a low-lying conus medullaris in a patient with this complex. A review of the current literature of the Gollop-Wolfgang complex accompanies this case, highlighting the documented extraosseous anomalies seen in this complex.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

We report a case of an 18-month-old patient with Gollop-Wolfgang complex who underwent cord untethering with release of the filum terminale after extensive workup showed the presence of a dyssynergic bladder and radiological evaluation revealed a fatty filum terminale and low-lying conus medullaris.

CONCLUSION

Gollop-Wolfgang complex is a skeletal dysplasia usually associated with several extra skeletal anomalies. Our report describes the first case of a fatty filum terminale and low-lying conus medullaris in this complex, as well as provides an overview of the documented anomalies seen in this disorder. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended when treating these infants in order to ensure that occult manifestations of the complex are not missed.

Gollop-Wolfgang Complex: Clinical and Imaging Implications

Gollop-Wolfgang complex is defined as the presence of a distal bifid femur and tibial hemimelia with or without hand ectrodactyly. The condition commonly presents with several skeletal abnormalities and internal organ congenital defects. We hereby report a case with a classical presentation of Gollop-Wolfgang complex.

Lower Extremity Surgical Treatment to Improve Function in a Patient with Gollop-Wolfgang Complex: A Case Report

CASE

Gollop-Wolfgang Complex (GWC) includes congenital absence of the tibia with ipsilateral distal femur bifurcation associated with hand/foot ectrodactyly. A 20-month-old male presented with GWC, including left bifid distal femur with ipsilateral tibial hemimelia and absent extensor mechanism, hypoplastic bilateral thumbs, and right foot tarsal-type preaxial polydactyly. Left through-knee amputation preserving growth and contralateral polydactyly reconstruction were performed. Complications of wound infection and dehiscence were successfully treated. Patient is 44 months old and ambulating with left knee disarticulation prosthesis and right supramalleolar orthosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Through-knee amputation and prosthetic fitting provides limb function for GWC patients with tibial hemimelia lacking an extensor mechanism.