De novo duplication xq22-q23 in a girl with short stature and gonadal dysgenesis.

A female of 20 years of age with short stature, gonadal dysgenesis and Turner stigmata with a de novo dup Xq22-q23 was studied. The maternal cytogenetic study was normal. This case represents the smallest Xq duplication in an abnormal female. We discuss the possibility of a maternal imprinting.

Christian's spondylo-digital syndrome: second familial case.

We studied a mother and daughter with skeletal dysplasia which was characterized clinically by proximal and distal flexion contractures in the phalanges, and by brachydactyly, clinodactyly and ulnar and radial subdislocations of the fingers. Radiologically, the 2nd metacarpal in the daughter was seen to be longer than the other metacarpals, with bone carpal fusion, and flexion contractures of the fingers in both hands. Thoraco-lumbar xyphorotoscoliosis and malformed vertebrae with dyssegmentation of L2-L3, T12 and L1 with cuneiform shape, asymmetry of the pelvic bones and exostotic lesions in the proximal third of the tibia and the distal third of the femur were also noted. The clinical and radiological characteristics were compatible with the syndrome described by Christian et al. in 1975 and called the second metatarsal syndrome. The purpose of this paper was to present a second corroborative familial case and to propose another name: Christian's spondylo-digital syndrome.

The Myhre syndrome: report of two cases.

Two unrelated patients, aged 19 and 6 years, were studied and diagnosed as having Myhre syndrome (MS). This review, together with three previous cases, permits further delineation of MS. The main features are: short stature, mental retardation, blepharophimosis, muscular hypertrophy, decreased joint mobility, thick calvarium, broad ribs, hypoplastic iliac wings and short tubular bones. Advanced paternal age at the propositi's birth suggests an autosomal dominant mutation as the cause of MS.