Weill-Marchesani syndrome: natural history and genotype-phenotype correlations from 18 news cases and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Weill-Marchesani syndrome (WMS) belongs to the group of acromelic dysplasias, defined by short stature, brachydactyly and joint limitations. WMS is characterised by specific ophthalmological abnormalities, although cardiovascular defects have also been reported. Monoallelic variations in FBN1 are associated with a dominant form of WMS, while biallelic variations in ADAMTS10, ADAMTS17 and LTBP2 are responsible for a recessive form of WMS.

OBJECTIVE

Natural history description of WMS and genotype-phenotype correlation establishment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective multicentre study and literature review.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

clinical diagnosis of WMS with identified pathogenic variants.

RESULTS

61 patients were included: 18 individuals from our cohort and 43 patients from literature. 21 had variants in ADAMTS17, 19 in FBN1, 19 in ADAMTS10 and 2 in LTBP2. All individuals presented with eye anomalies, mainly spherophakia (42/61) and ectopia lentis (39/61). Short stature was present in 73% (from -2.2 to -5.5 SD), 10/61 individuals had valvulopathy. Regarding FBN1 variants, patients with a variant located in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-binding protein-like domain 5 (TB5) domain were significantly smaller than patients with FBN1 variant outside TB5 domain (p=0.0040).

CONCLUSION

Apart from the ophthalmological findings, which are mandatory for the diagnosis, the phenotype of WMS seems to be more variable than initially described, partially explained by genotype-phenotype correlation.

Modified Posterolateral Approach for the Treatment of 2-Part Fractures of the Posterior Malleolus Associated with Medial and Lateral Malleolar Fractures: 1 Incision, 2 Windows, 3 Steel Plates

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the modified posterolateral approach using 1 incision, 2 windows, and 3 plates in the treatment of 2-part posterior malleolus fractures complicated with medial and lateral malleolus fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twelve patients with 2-part fractures of the posterior malleolus complicated with medial and lateral malleolar fractures and treated by the modified posterolateral approach from January 2018 to January 2021 were studied retrospectively. After surgery, the ankle hindfoot score and visual analog scale (VAS) of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) were used for evaluation. RESULTS The average follow-up time of the 12 patients was 18 months (7-30 months). All patients had no infection, and their incisions healed in the first stage. Postoperative radiography showed that the average fracture healing time was 12.5 weeks (10-15 weeks). The average time for patients to walk weight bearing was 13 weeks (11-16 weeks), and there was no obvious pain or discomfort. At the last follow-up, the average AOFAS ankle hindfoot score of the 12 patients was 87.5 (77-95), with 7 excellent and 5 good scores. The VAS score improved from before surgery (average 8.25 points) to after surgery (average 1 point). The curative effect was satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS The posterolateral approach using 1 incision, 2 windows, and 3 steel plates was effective in the treatment of 2-part posterior malleolus fractures complicated with medial and lateral malleolus fractures.