Recurrent brachial plexus neuropathy in a family with subtle dysmorphic features -- a case of hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy

Hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy in childhood caused by duplication within the SEPT9 gene: A family study

Hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy (HNA) is an autosomal dominant disorder associated with episodic, recurrent, and painful neuropathies affecting the nerves of the brachial plexus. In this study, we report on a family of Lebanese descent with HNA onset in early childhood. The affected family members presented with platelet dysfunction. Platelet aggregation was reduced after stimulation with the agonists ADP and epinephrine in all affected family members. Flow cytometric analyses revealed impaired platelet δ‐secretion. The index patient and one brother suffered from kidney cysts. Molecular genetic analysis revealed a heterozygous duplication of exon 2 within the septin 9 (SEPT9) gene in all the affected family members. Such a young child with HNA (aged 2 years) caused by SEPT9 duplication has not been described so far.

Blepharophimosis, Ptosis, and Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome: Expanding the Phenotype

We present a 3-month-old girl who displayed typical clinical characteristics of blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). She was referred to our clinic with an initial diagnosis of Down syndrome. Clinical features of elevated follicle stimulating hormone and low estradiol levels in the case were diagnosed as BPES syndrome and were consistent with BPES type 2. To date, there are no cases of BPES with cleft palate and cardiomyopathy, suggesting that these novel findings can be part of this condition.

Dysmorphic syndrome of hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy associated with a SEPT9 gene mutation--a family study

We report a family in which two siblings presented with an apparent dysmorphic syndrome, including hypotelorism, blepharophimosis, slight ptosis, epicanthal folds, microstomia and dysmorphic ears. One sibling had a cleft palate. Initially, blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) was suspected; however, mutation of the FOXL2 gene was not detected. Moreover, the patients' father and paternal grandmother had experienced recurrent episodes of unilateral brachial neuritis and were diagnosed to have hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy (HNA). HNA is a rare, inherited form of brachial neuritis whose phenotypic spectrum may include hypotelorism, cleft palate and other minor dysmorphisms. HNA maps to chromosome 17q25 and is associated with mutations in the SEPT9 gene. After confirming a heterozygous SEPT9 mutation (R88W) in the father and his mother, it became apparent that the dysmorphic features in the children were part of HNA and that previous complaints of the daughter, erroneously diagnosed as pronatio dolorosa and then epiphysiolysis of the capitellum humeri, were in fact a first neuralgic pain attack. Both children were shown to have inherited the paternal SEPT9 mutation. Wider recognition of HNA as a syndromic disorder may facilitate its diagnosis in affected young persons who may not yet have manifested episodes of brachial neuritis.

Brachial plexus involvement as the only expression of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal-dominant focal neuropathy characterized by recurrent entrapment neuropathies. Single members of families with HNPP and brachial plexus involvement have been reported previously. We describe a family with three affected members and in which the only symptom of entrapment was recurrent brachial plexopathy. The diagnosis of HNPP in this family was confirmed by both neurophysiological methods and DNA analysis. The distinction between HNPP and hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy is discussed.

Familial spastic paraplegia, axonal sensory-motor polyneuropathy and bulbar amyotrophy with facial dysmorphia: new cases of Troyer-like syndrome

We studied two Libyan siblings, born to healthy consanguineous parents, who had suffered from a progressive neurological disorder, characterized by facial dysmorphia, ataxia, spastic paraplegia and an axonal sensory-motor polyneuropathy, since the age of 3 years. The clinical picture progressed slowly over a 6-year period to involve also bulbar and distal limb muscles. Interestingly, we found unusual tubulofilamentous inclusions in peripheral nerves and presynaptic buttons at the neuromuscular junctions. Describing the clinical picture of this presumably new disorder, we comment on the difference from similar conditions.