Fahr´s Syndrome; Pseudohypoparathyroidism Type Ib Masquerading as Epileptic Seizures.

Hypocalcaemia of various origin can be manifested by paresthesia, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, syncope, convulsions and even severe psychomotor retardation. Such symptoms can be initially considered as signs of epilepsy. We present a 12- year old boy with partial seizures and basal ganglia calcifications, initially diagnosed as having Fahr´s disease and epilepsy, where severe hypocalcaemia, due to genetically confirmed pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib was the underlying cause. Excellent clinical improvement was observed after calcium and vitamin D therapy. The basal ganglia calcifications were secondary due to chronic hypocalcaemia, therefore the appropriate diagnosis was pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib with Fahr´s syndrome, but not Fahr´s disease. In conclusion, the serum evaluation of minerals, especially calcium and phosphate, should be performed in all patients with convulsions, cramps and psychomotor retardation. This is essential in arriving at a proper diagnosis and early initiation of appropriate treatment.

Molecular genetic analysis in 14 Czech Kabuki syndrome patients is confirming the utility of phenotypic scoring.

Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a dominantly inherited disorder mainly due to de novo pathogenic variation in KMT2D or KDM6A genes. Initially, a representative cohort of 14 Czech cases with clinical features suggestive of KS was analyzed by experienced clinical geneticists in collaboration with other specialties, and observed disease features were evaluated according to the 'MLL2-Kabuki score' defined by Makrythanasis et al. Subsequently, the aforementioned genes were Sanger sequenced and copy number variation analysis was performed by MLPA, followed by genome-wide array CGH testing. Pathogenic variants in KMT2D resulting in protein truncation in 43% (6/14; of which 3 are novel) of all cases were detected, while analysis of KDM6A was negative. MLPA analysis was negative in all instances. One female patient bears a 6.6 Mb duplication of the Xp21.2-Xp21.3 region that is probably disease causing. Subjective KS phenotyping identified predictive clinical features associated with the presence of a pathogenic variant in KMT2D. We provide additional evidence that this scoring approach fosters prioritization of patients prior to KMT2D sequencing. We conclude that KMT2D sequencing followed by array CGH is a diagnostic strategy with the highest diagnostic yield.

[Our experience with analysis of the PTEN gene in patients suspected of having Cowden syndrome]. / Nase skúsenosti s analýzou génu PTEN u pacientov s podozrenim na Cowdenovej syndróm.

BACKGROUNDS: Cowden syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder with an increased risk of breast, thyroid and uterine cancer development. The International Cowden Consortium has defined strict diagnostic criteria for individuals and families suspected of having CS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the genomic DNA of 16 patients by sequencing analysis and MLPA (multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification) method. RESULTS: We found germline mutations, c.825_840del, resp. c.438delT, in 2 patients. Both patients fulfilled strict diagnostic criteria. The other patients, except one, who did not fulfil the criteria, did not harbour any pathogenic mutation. Patients not fulfilling strict diagnostic criteria were included in the study according to major CS criteria but not pathogenic. CONCLUSION: Our results and information from relevant articles show that strict international criteria are well established and analysis of "CS-like" patients has no significant prognostic meaning.