Congenital tibial aplasia with preaxial polydactyly. A case report

Bilateral aplasia of the tibialis anterior and unilateral aplasia of the extensor hallucis longus muscles

A 35-year-old woman presented with bilateral leg pain on walking that had been present since childhood. Clinical examination showed bilateral absence of the tibialis anterior tendons and the left extensor hallucis longus tendon. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that signal intensities in the location of the tibialis anterior muscles bilaterally and the left extensor hallucis longus muscle were uniformly high on T1-weighted images, consistent with fat tissue and aplastic muscles: findings not previously reported.

Bilateral tibial hemimelia I

Congenital absence of tibia is a rare anomaly. We report a case of bilateral tibial hemimelia born to phenotypically normal parents. The two amputated legs with tibial dysplasia obtained from a 3-year-old boy were studied by radiography and anatomical dissection. The radiological evaluation revealed a normal hip joint. The lower end of femur was normal without any bifurcation, shortening or bowing. Fibula was present on both legs and there was no sign of bowing or doubling. Both right and left tibiae were absent. In addition, on the right side, five tarsal bones, two metatarsals and the corresponding digital rays were absent. On the left side, three tarsal bones were absent. Dissection of the amputated segments showed the presence of extensor digitorum longus, peroneus tertius, peroneus longus and brevis, gastrocnemius, and soleus. Following bilateral knee disarticulation the patient was fitted with prosthesis and is doing well.

Polydactyly, triphalangism of the thumb, and carpal abnormalities in a family

Many authors have documented the anatomic variability of radial-sided polydactyly and triphalangism of the thumb, but the relationship between these two conditions remains confusing. This study was done to determine if all types of radial-sided polydactyly and triphalangism of the thumb are related. Twenty-five members of a family with these abnormalities were evaluated clinically and radiographically by using radiographs of the hands and feet and, where appropriate, the tibia, in order to ascertain whether all variations of radial-sided polydactyly and triphalangism of the thumb could be found in this family. The hand abnormalities comprised eight types based on the number of digits, the number of phalanges, and whether the digits or phalanges were normal, hypoplastic, or rudimentary. Five distinct carpal anomalies were identified. Essentially all described types of radial-sided polydactyly and triphalangism of the thumb occur in this family. The occurrence of these abnormalities is determined by a single autosomal dominant gene. The manner in which the gene is expressed is determined either by its allele or by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The findings in the parent cannot be used to predict the findings in the offspring.

Albendazole sulphoxide enantiomers in pregnant rats' embryo concentrations and developmental toxicity

Three single oral doses (8.5, 10, and 14 mg/kg) of a racemic formulation of albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO) were administered to pregnant rats on day 10 of gestation. Mother plasma and embryo concentrations of ABZSO enantiomers and albendazole sulphone (ABZSO(2)) were determined 9 h after administration. The (-)-ABZSO enantiomer showed higher peak concentrations in both maternal plasma and embryo than the (+) enantiomer. An increase in embryo concentrations of ABZSO enantiomers and ABZSO(2) was only observed when dose rose to 14 mg/kg. There was an increase in resorption when the dose increased, but significant differences were only found in the higher dose group when compared with the other groups. The incidence of external and skeletal malformations (mostly of the tail, vertebrae and ribs) rose significantly in the 10 mg/kg group, producing almost 20% and 90% of malformed fetuses, respectively, and gross external and skeletal abnormalities in the thoracic region and limbs were also found.