Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome

Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome: a novel case series and systematic review

Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome (BOS) is a rare, often benign, autosomal skin disorder. BOS commonly presents with nontender connective tissue naevi and sclerotic bony lesions (osteopoikilosis [OPK]). Herein, we summarize the presenting features of BOS and potential associations by conducting a systematic review of the literature and summarizing a cohort seen at the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), Toronto, Canada. PubMed was searched using the following terms: 'BOS'; 'dermatofibrosis lenticularis'; 'OPK'; 'LEMD3'; 'elastoma'; 'collagenoma'. Only case reports were included, without date or language restrictions. Cases were further narrowed to those where patients or their families had a combination of skin and bony lesions, or a positive genetic test. Data were summarized using frequencies. In total, 594 reports were discovered, of which 546 (92%) were excluded. The remaining 48 accounted for 164 cases. Skin lesions were noted in 24% of cases and bony lesions in 20%, while 54% of patients had both. In 1% of cases the diagnosis was made on genetic testing alone. A family history was noted in 92% of cases. All patients with spinal stenosis (2%) or shortened status (7%) had OPK. Six per cent of patients had neurological problems. However, 50% of the cohort from HSC had cognitive delays, and only cases from 2007 onwards reported cognitive delays (the prevalence was 17% among those cases). This review confirms the classical diagnostic features of BOS. In addition, it highlights a previously unreported association between a shortened stature and OPK, as well as a possible association with cognitive delays.

Elastic fibres in health and disease

Elastic fibres are insoluble components of the extracellular matrix of dynamic connective tissues such as skin, arteries, lungs and ligaments. They are laid down during development, and comprise a cross-linked elastin core within a template of fibrillin-based microfibrils. Their function is to endow tissues with the property of elastic recoil, and they also regulate the bioavailability of transforming growth factor β. Severe heritable elastic fibre diseases are caused by mutations in elastic fibre components; for example, mutations in elastin cause supravalvular aortic stenosis and autosomal dominant cutis laxa, mutations in fibrillin-1 cause Marfan syndrome and Weill–Marchesani syndrome, and mutations in fibulins-4 and -5 cause autosomal recessive cutis laxa. Acquired elastic fibre defects include dermal elastosis, whereas inflammatory damage to fibres contributes to pathologies such as pulmonary emphysema and vascular disease. This review outlines the latest understanding of the composition and assembly of elastic fibres, and describes elastic fibre diseases and current therapeutic approaches.

Buschke — Ollendorff syndrome in infant patients

The authors present a clinical and histological description of two clinical cases of a rare inherited disease, Buschke — Ollendorff syndrome. In both cases, the disease was not accompanied by the bone tissue dysplasia but at the same time it was characterized by a clear histological pattern specific of this syndrome. The authors provide literature data and discuss issues related to the pathogenesis and particular features of the clinical picture and diagnostics of the disease.

Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome and bilateral cutaneous syndactyly

A 3-year-old boy presented with asymptomatic elastomas on the posterior trunk. Radiographic studies revealed osteopoikilosis, confirming the diagnosis of Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome. The patient had a history of bilateral simple cutaneous syndactyly, which has not been previously reported with this condition. Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome is a rare autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by connective tissue nevi and osteopoikilosis. Several associated systemic abnormalities have been reported, but morbidity and mortality are generally not affected.

Report of a mother and daughter with the 12q14 microdeletion syndrome

The 12q14 microdeletion syndrome is characterized by microcephaly, short stature, osteopoikilosis, weight deficiency, and learning disabilities. We report on a mother and daughter with a 12q14 microdeletion. To our knowledge these are the first reported familial cases with the syndrome. We also discuss the genes in the deleted area that may be contributing to the phenotype.

Papular elastorrhexis: a case and differential diagnosis

Papular elastorrhexis is a rare cutaneous disorder that occurs predominantly during adolescence. The disorder is characterized by asymptomatic indurated white or flesh papules showing decreased and fragmented elastic fibers in the dermis. We herein report on a 12-year-old girl with multiple asymptomatic white, nonfollicular, firm papules scattered on the extremities and trunk. Histological examination revealed focal areas showing increased layers of collagen fibers and decreased and fragmented elastic fibers in the upper dermis.