Cranioectodermal dysplasia: a probable ciliopathy.

Cranioectodermal dysplasia (CED), also known as Sensenbrenner syndrome, is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by typical craniofacial, skeletal and ectodermal defects, and tubulointerstitial nephritis leading to early end-stage renal failure. We report on a new familial case of a 9-year-old patient and two fetuses of 23 and 19 weeks of gestation respectively. Hypohidrosis was an additional ectodermal finding is the patient with CED. Postmortem findings in the two fetuses included acromesomelic shortening, craniofacial characteristics with absence of craniosynostosis, small kidneys with tubular and glomerular microscopic cysts, persistent ductal plate with portal fibrosis in the liver, small adrenals and roughly unremarkable histopathology of the physeal growth plate. Posterior fossa anomalies were additional findings in this patient and included an enlarged cisterna magna and a posterior fossa cyst. The above findings, in association with renal cysts, persistent ductal plate and portal fibrosis, introduce CED, a nonlethal genetic skeletal disorder of yet unknown molecular origin, as a possible member of the expanding group of ciliopathies.

Genetic skeletal disorders of the fetus and infant: pathologic and molecular findings in a series of 41 cases.

BACKGROUND: Genetic skeletal disorders of the fetus and infant are a large group of genetic disorders, comprising the groups formerly assigned as skeletal dysplasias (osteochondrodysplasias), dysostoses, and malformation syndromes with a skeletal component. Genetic skeletal disorders may be prenatally detected by ultrasonography or result in intrauterine or early postnatal death, constituting one difficult diagnostic field met by the pathologist who performs the perinatal autopsy. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we have gathered radiologic, physical, histopathologic, and molecular data regarding 41 cases of genetic skeletal disorders diagnosed among 1980 fetal and perinatal autopsies over a 10-year period. RESULTS: Our series of cases were classified according to the 2006 Nosology and Classification of Genetic Skeletal Disorders. The overall frequency of genetic skeletal disorders was 1:48 autopsies. The FGFR3 group and osteogenesis imperfecta type 2 were the more frequently encountered disorders. The mean gestational age at autopsy was 21.9 weeks (range, 12-37 weeks). A final diagnosis was obtained in 95% of cases. Genetic skeletal disorders were detected by prenatal ultrasound in 90% of cases, with a correct typing of the disorder achieved in only 34%. Molecular analysis was confirmative in 5 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The central role of the perinatal pathologist in collaboration with specialized services is essential for the correct interpretation of the radiologic, physical, and histopathologic findings, to accurately classify specific types of genetic skeletal disorders and enable genetic counseling.

Tissue engineering approaches to rotator cuff tendon deficiency.

Tissue engineering is an emerging scientific approach that may offer alternative pathways for managing tissue degeneration. The use of cellular and acellular matrix in combination with cells and/or growth factors is one approach currently being explored in the management of rotator cuff disease. Interestingly, the integration of gene therapy with this technique introduces a new dimension to treatment options. The scope of this article is to present an overview of the current tissue engineering in vivo methods being clinically investigated in rotator cuff disease.

Pharmacological treatment of heterotopic ossification following hip and acetabular surgery.

Heterotopic ossification is a common complication following total hip arthroplasty and surgery following acetabular trauma. It is associated with pain and a decreased range of movement. Prophylaxis is achieved by either non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatment or localised irradiation therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the evidence for pharmacological agents used for the prophylaxis of heterotopic ossification following hip and acetabular surgery. The study used a comprehensive literature search to identify all major clinical studies investigating the pharmacological agents used in the prophylaxis of heterotopic ossification following hip and acetabular surgery. It was concluded that indometacin remains the 'gold standard' for heterotopic ossification prophylaxis following total hip arthroplasty and is the only drug proven to be effective against heterotopic ossification following acetabular surgery. Following total hip arthroplasty, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including naproxen and diclofenac, are equally as effective as indometacin and can be considered as alternative first-line treatments. Celecoxib is also of equal efficacy to indometacin and is associated with significantly fewer gastrointestinal side effects. However, serious concerns were raised over the safety of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors for the cardiovascular system and these should be used cautiously.