Focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz's syndrome)

Cranial trephination and infectious disease in the Eastern Mediterranean: The evidence from two elite brothers from Late Bronze Megiddo, Israel

Here we present the paleopathological profiles of two young adult males, identified as brothers through ancient DNA analysis, who were buried together beneath the floor of an elite early Late Bronze Age I (ca. 1550-1450 BC) domestic structure at the urban center of Megiddo (modern Israel). Both individuals displayed uncommon morphological variants related to developmental conditions, and each exhibited extensive bone remodeling consistent with chronic infectious disease. Additionally, one brother had a healed fracture of the nose, as well as a large square piece of bone cut from the frontal bone (cranial trephination). We consider the potential etiologies for the appearance of the skeletal anomalies and lesions. Based on the bioarchaeological context, we propose that a shared epigenetic landscape predisposed the brothers to acquiring an infectious disease and their elite status privileged them enough to endure it. We then contextualize these potential illnesses and disorders with the trephination procedure. The infrequency of trephination in the region indicates that only selected individuals could access such a procedure, and the severity of the pathological lesions suggests the procedure was possibly intended as curative to deteriorating health. Ultimately, both brothers were buried with the same rites as others in their community, thus demonstrating their continued integration in society even after death.

Focal dermal hypoplasia: updates

Focal dermal hypoplasia (FDH), or Goltz-Gorlin syndrome, is a rare syndrome and may result in multisystem disorders. Several reviews of FDH have been published. However, the last comprehensive review of this disorder appeared more than 20 years ago. To date, a number of new clinical manifestations have been reported and considerable knowledge has accumulated regarding etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to gather these more recent data and to provide organized and reliable information. So we reviewed 159 cases of FDH that had been reported from 1990 to 2012, summarized the new discoveries, and suggested a potential standard for the diagnosis of FDH. We also reported on a Chinese girl with FDH, who was clinically and histologically in accord with FDH, as an example.

Congenital symblephara, progressive corneal pannus, and skin defects

The authors describe a girl with congenital symblephara, progressive corneal pannus, and skin defects caused by focal dermal hypoplasia. Her corneal neovascularization progressed to full pannus and blindness.

Síndrome de Goltz: relato de dois casos

A hipoplasia dérmica focal é genodermatose rara, de caráter dominante, ligada ao cromossoma X. Os autores apresentam dois casos dessa síndrome, destacando suas principais características dermatológicas e a importância da avaliação multidisciplinar em seu diagnóstico e acompanhamento.

A male with polysyndactyly, linear skin defects and sclerocornea. Goltz syndrome versus MIDAS

Focal dermal hypoplasia (FDH) or Goltz syndrome is a rare clinical syndrome presenting with cutaneous, skeletal, dental, ocular, central nervous system and soft-tissue defects. We report on a male infant with characteristic skin defects of the face, trunk and extremities, polysyndactyly and unusual ocular and brain findings. He had sclerocornea of the right eye, anterior persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous of the left eye and hydrocephalus. Clinical findings support the diagnosis of Goltz syndrome. The clinical picture of Goltz syndrome is compared with that of MIDAS syndrome.

Probable identity of Goltz syndrome and Van Allen-Myhre syndrome: evidence from phenotypic evolution

We describe a girl who was diagnosed with split foot-split hand anomaly prenatally, in whom at birth the diagnosis of Van Allen-Myhre syndrome was made, and who at 8 months of age was recognized to have Goltz syndrome. Based on the evolution of clinical features in this infant, we suggest that our case, as well as that reported by Van Allen and Myhre, is an example of unusually severe Goltz syndrome.

Ocular colobomata

Ocular colobomata present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in patients of all ages, but especially in young children. The "typical" coloboma, caused by defective closure of the fetal fissure, is located in the inferonasal quadrant, and it may affect any part of the globe traversed by the fissure from the iris to the optic nerve. Ocular colobomata are often associated with microphthalmia, and they may be idiopathic or associated with various syndromes. Types and severity of complications vary depending on the location and size of the colobomata. This article reviews the pathogeneses, categorization, genetic bases, differential diagnoses and management of ocular coloboma.