Molecular characterization of trisomic segment 3p24.1-->3pter: a case with review of the literature.

A 1-year-old male infant was found to have a de novo unbalanced translocation, resulting in trisomy for a portion of the short arm of chromosome 3, i.e. 46,XY,der(7)t(3;7) (p24.1;p22). Previous cases with a so-called "trisomy 3p syndrome" were evaluated by GTG banding, while we attempted to characterize the present case by the FISH-technique. The major clinical features included: dysmorphic ears, decreased muscle tone and seizure episodes associated with fever, which are concordant with "trisomy 3p syndrome". The most common malformations of trisomy 3p syndrome are: psychomotor and mental retardation, short neck, hypertelorism/telecanthus and congenital heart defects. Predominantly, the 3p trisomies have been maternally derived and the major mechanism of inheritance is due to a malsegregation of the chromosomes that are involved in a parental balanced translocation. A review of 44 cases from 35 studies revealed that the clinical manifestations have been quite varied, depending upon the amount of 3p2 material in the trisomic state, but interestingly a recognizable pattern of features was obvious in those cases whose cytogenetic findings and clinical histories were known.

Tandem duplication of the terminal band of the long arm of chromosome 7 (dir dup (7)(q36----qter)).

We report on a new case of a single band duplication of the long arm of chromosome 7, dir dup (7)(q36----qter). The major manifestations are developmental delay (particularly speech), frontal bossing, macrocrania, and constant drooling. When compared with other cases involving a 7q duplication of various segments, our patient has a few minor anomalies. This case illustrates the genotype/phenotype correlation in a child with a single band duplication which has resulted in duplication of 7q36----qter. A tabulation of reported cases with duplication of various segments of 7q is provided, which may serve as an aid for clinicians.

Pericentric inversion of chromosome 7 (inv(7) (p22q11.2)) and ring chromosome 8 (r(8) (p23q24.3)) in a girl with minor anomalies.

A 13 year old girl was referred with congenital microcephaly, developmental delay, a prominent nose, highly arched palate, and an apparently low set left ear. She was found to have a pericentric inversion of one chromosome 7 and a ring chromosome 8, 46,XX,inv(7) (pter----p22::q11.23----p22::q11.23----qter), r(8) (p23q24.3). The concurrence of these two abnormalities is a rare event and has not been reported previously.

A new case of monosomy for 17q25----qter due to a maternal translocation [t(3;17)(p12;q24)].

An 18-month-old girl was found to have monosomy for 17q25----qter which resulted from an unequal crossing-over in the mother carrying an apparently balanced translocation 46, XX, t(3;17) (p12;q24). Clinical features of the proband included: cleft palate, micrognathia and glossoptosis. It seems to be the first reported case where a single band deletion in the long arm of chromosome 17 has ever been noted.

Vertebrobasilar occlusion complicating nonpenetrating craniocervical trauma in a child.

We report a juvenile patient who developed vertebrobasilar occlusion following nonpenetrating head and neck trauma, with complete recovery. The patient presented with transient signs of brain-stem dysfunction that were secondary to embolization and/or extension of a thrombus. He was treated with anticoagulants. We have found no other reports of such treatment in juvenile vertebrobasilar occlusion that complicated nonpenetrating head and neck trauma.