A probable autosomal recessive mode of inheritance is described in a family with two affected sisters. The sisters showed the typical picture of Marfan syndrome and were of normal intelligence. Both parents and all four grandparents were personally examined and found to be normal. Homocystinuria was ruled out on repeated examinations. This family suggests genetic heterogeneity in Marfan syndrom...

A 25-year-old pregnant female reported at 28 weeks of gestation with non specific abdominal pain. On evaluation, the ultra-sonogram revealed a single live fetus in breech presentation. Placenta was anterior and high and there was severe oligohydramnios. Both fetal kidneys were enlarged in size (occupying most of the abdominal cavity) and homogenously hyperechoic & studded with numerous variable...

The following fictional case is intended as a learning tool within the Pathology Competencies for Medical Education (PCME), a set of national standards for teaching pathology. These are divided into three basic competencies: Disease Mechanisms and Processes, Organ System Pathology, and Diagnostic Medicine and Therapeutic Pathology. For additional information, and a full list of learning objecti...

Most pedigrees of Aarskog's faciodigitogenital syndrome have suggested X linked inheritance. However, sex influenced autosomal dominant inheritance is also a possibility in some families. We describe an Arab family of normal consanguineous parents with five children (three males and two females) with some features of Aarskog syndrome in addition to some unusual hair changes. The possibility tha...

A single gene defect leads to differing degrees of renal and hepatic involvement, with very different phenotypes and clinical outcome within even one affected family. [2] Kidneys are bilaterally enlarged and contain large numbers of cysts throughout the organ, due to the dilatation and elongation of renal collecting ducts. At birth, the interstitium and the rest of the tubules are normal but th...

In 1912, Klippel and Feill reported the first clinical details and necropsy findings of a syndrome characterised by the triad short or absent neck, severe limitation of head movement, and low posterior hairline. An Egyptian mummy (from 500 BC) is the oldest subject in whom Klippel-Feil syndrome has been seen.2 Another interesting observation is the similarity between the figure of an old man de...

A single gene defect leads to differing degrees of renal and hepatic involvement, with very different phenotypes and clinical outcome within even one affected family. [2] Kidneys are bilaterally enlarged and contain large numbers of cysts throughout the organ, due to the dilatation and elongation of renal collecting ducts. At birth, the interstitium and the rest of the tubules are normal but th...

Palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) is a heterogeneous group of disorders. Epidermolytic PPK is a well delineated autosomal dominant entity, but no recessive form is known. Here we report two sons of phenotypically normal, consanguineous, Arab parents with features suggestive of PPK. They presented with patchy eczematous skin lesions followed by PPK and raised serum levels of IgE. Skin biopsy from t...