Congenital bowing of the long bones: report of a case.

Congenital bowing of many long bones in a single individual is comparatively rare and Angle (1954), in a review of the English literature, found only eight reported cases. On the other hand, bowing of individual long bones occurs with greater frequency, the same author reviewing 12 cases of anterior and 14 cases of posterior tibial angulation and three cases with bilateral involvement of the femora only. The present case is that of a stillborn child who had congenital bowing of several long bones. In order to ascertain the presence or absence of accompanying abnormalities, anatomical and radiological investigations were undertaken, as detailed dissection of the entire skeleton had not previously been reported in these cases. The diagnosis in this case was based on the presence of typical deformities in the lower limbs, associated with cutaneous dimpling.