Dental and craniofacial characteristics in a patient with Dubowitz syndrome: a case report

Oligodontia and Facial Phenotype Associated with a Rare Syndrome

Introduction

Oligodontia is a dental abnormality in which the patient is missing teeth. It is a hereditary disorder characterized by agenesis of more than six primary or permanent teeth, excluding the wisdom teeth. Oligodontia is often related with an abnormal size of teeth, conical shape, taurodontism, frequent enamel abnormalities, and delayed eruption. Oligodontia may be clinically isolated or associated with ectodermal dysplasia, a large group of rare diseases, and other syndromes. Patient Information. Dental characteristics of a six-and-a-half-year-old Moroccan boy with oligodontia and in apparent good health were described. Clinical Findings. Three syndromes associated with oligodontia have been discussed. Above all, based on the facial phenotype, Dubowitz syndrome has been retained as the most likely diagnostic hypothesis. This case could be the first reported case described in Morocco, but a thorough examination with genetic analysis must be carried out.

Conclusion

Oligodontia could clinically be isolated or associated with ectodermal dysplasia, a large group of rare diseases, and other syndromes.

Comprehensive Genetic Evaluation of Bulgarian Children with Syndromic Craniosynostosis

Syndromic craniosynostosis (SC) is a genetically determined premature closure of one or more of the cranial sutures, which may result in severe dysmorphism, increased intracranial pressure along with many other clinical manifestations. The considerable risk of complications along with their significant incidence makes these cranial deformations an important medical problem. Aiming to elucidate the complex genetic etiology of syndromic craniosynostosis, we investigated 39 children, screened systematically with a combination of conventional cytogenetic analysis, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and array-based comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH). Pathological findings were established in 15.3% (6/39) of the cases using aCGH, in 7.7% (3/39) using MLPA and 2.5% (1/39) using conventional karyotyping. About 12.8% (5/39) of the patients with normal karyotype carried submicroscopic chromosomal rearrangements. Duplications were found to be more common than deletions. Conclusion: The systematic genetic evaluation of children with SC revealed a high prevalence of submicrosopic chromosomal rearrangements (most commonly duplications). This suggests the leading role of those defects in the pathogenesis of syndromic craniosynostosis. The genetic complexity of SC was reaffirmed by the dis Bulgaria covery of pathological findings in various chromosomal regions. Certain genes were discussed in conjunction with craniosynostosis.

Recurrent facial erythema with burning sensation and increased temperature: a variant of erythromelalgia or a new entity?

OBJECTIVE

Erythromelalgia is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by episodic attacks of burning pain, erythema, and increased temperature, primarily affecting the extremities, and in rare instances, involving the ear, face, neck, and the scrotum. The dermatoscopic features of erythromelalgia in a case with solely facial involvement have never been described previously.

OBSERVATIONS

We describe a 14-year-old female who presented with erythema, burning sensation, and warmth on her face only, which mimic the features of erythromelalgia. Physical examination showed higher temperature on the involved cheeks than on axillas during the episode, while the temperature on both areas was the same between episodes. Dermatoscope showed more dilated vessels inside the erythema during the episodes than between the episodes. The symptoms had excellent response to the combination treatment of gabapentin, indomethacin, and topical lidocaine compounds.

CONCLUSIONS

The present case is considered to be a variant of erythromelalgia. Its erythema may be resulted from the dilated vessels. Combination of modalities may provide effective management for erythromelalgia. "Erythermalgia" may be better than "erythromelalgia" to describe such conditions.