Poland-Möbius syndrome: a case report implicating a novel mutation of the PLXND1 gene and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Möbius (Moebius) and Poland's syndromes are two rare congenital syndromes characterized by non-progressive bilateral (and often asymmetric) dysfunction of the 6th and 7th cranial nerves and hypoplasia of the pectoral muscles associated with chest wall and upper limb anomalies respectively. Manifest simultaneously as Poland-Möbius (Poland-Moebius) syndrome, debate continues as to whether this is a distinct nosological entity or represents phenotypic variation as part of a spectrum of disorders of rhomboencephalic development. Etiological hypotheses implicate both genetic and environmental factors. The PLXND1 gene codes for a protein expressed in the fetal central nervous system and vascular endothelium and is thus involved in embryonic neurogenesis and vasculogenesis. It is located at chromosome region 3q21-q22, a locus of interest for Möbius syndrome. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the first report of a patient with Poland-Möbius syndrome and a mutation in the PLXND1 gene. A child with Poland-Möbius syndrome and a maternally inherited missense variant (NM_015103.2:ex14:c.2890G > Ap.V964M) in the PLXND1 gene is described. In order to contextualize these findings, the literature was examined to identify other confirmed cases of Poland-Möbius syndrome for which genetic data were available. Fourteen additional cases of Poland-Möbius syndrome with genetic studies are described in the literature. None implicated the PLXND1 gene which has previously been implicated in isolated Möbius syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: This report provides further evidence in support of a role for PLXND1 mutations in Möbius syndrome and reasserts the nosological link between Möbius and Poland's syndromes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, Descriptive Study.

A de novo SFMBT1 pathogenic variant identified in a boy with Poland syndrome.

Poland syndrome is a rare developmental disorder characterized by unilateral, complete or partial, absence of the pectoralis major (and often minor) muscle, accompanied with ipsilateral hand malformations. To date, no clear genetic cause has been associated with Poland syndrome, although familial cases have been reported. We report the employment of trio exome investigation and the identification of a heterozygous de novo pathogenic variant in the SFMBT1 gene, a transcription factor associated with transcriptional repression during development, in a 14-yr-old boy with Poland syndrome. We further demonstrate by means of cDNA sequencing and western blot analysis that this variant results in SFMBT1 exon 10 skipping and a lower concentration of the SFMBT1 wild-type protein. To our knowledge, the heterozygous pathogenic SFMBT1 variant identified in association with this condition is novel as it has not been elsewhere described in the literature and it can be incorporated to the limited reported cases published.

Poland Syndrome with Atypical Malformations Associated to a de novo 1.5 Mb Xp22.31 Duplication.

Poland's syndrome (PS; OMIM 173800) is a rare congenital syndrome which consists of absence or hypoplasia of the pectoralis muscle. Other features can be variably associated, including rib defects. On the affected side other features (such as of breast and nipple anomalies, lack of subcutaneous tissue and skin annexes, hand anomalies, visceral, and vertebral malformation) have been variably documented. To date, association of PS with central nervous system malformation has been rarely reported remaining poorly understood and characterized. We report a left-sided PS patient carrying a de novo 1.5 Mb Xp22.31 duplication diagnosed in addiction to strabismus, optic nerves and chiasm hypoplasia, corpus callosum abnormalities, ectopic neurohypophysis, pyelic ectasia, and neurodevelopmental delay. Since, to our knowledge, this features' association has not been previously reported, we argue that this case may contribute to further widening of the variability of PS phenotype.

Poland syndrome accompanied by internal iliac artery supply disruption sequence: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Poland syndrome is a congenital malformation characterized by ipsilateral hand and chest wall depression, including an absence or hypoplasia of the breast and pectoral muscles. These hypoplastic defects are reportedly caused by a subclavian artery supply disruption sequence. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old Japanese woman, an out-patient, underwent an emergency examination for intense left lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography images revealed a hydronephrotic left kidney and dilatation of the left ureter. No ureteral calculus or neoplasm was found. In addition, no abnormalities connected to her left abdominal pain were found. Nephritis was diagnosed based on the results of urine analysis, and a course of antibiotics was administered. Computed tomography images also revealed a history of breast reconstruction with a custom-made silicone implant in her right breast. The present case showed symptoms of Poland syndrome, which were absence of the sternal head of the right pectoralis major and asymmetrical malformation of the chest wall due to hypoplasia of the right rib cage. In addition to typical Poland syndrome symptoms, she had hypoplasia of her right kidney, hypoplasia of the right gluteus minimus muscle, right-sided pelvic hypoplasia, spinal curvature to the right, and a cystic mass in her right ovary. CONCLUSIONS: In the present case of Poland syndrome, computed tomography images revealed malformation of the chest wall, absence of the pectoral muscle, and hypoplasia of a left kidney. Unilateral visceral hypoplasia is reported to be caused by a subclavian artery supply disruption sequence that occurs around 7 to 8 weeks of gestation. The present case can be considered a rare atypical phenotype of Poland syndrome with possible subclavian artery supply disruption sequence with internal iliac artery supply disruption.

Poland syndrome: A proposed classification system and perspectives on diagnosis and treatment.

Poland Syndrome (PS) is a rare condition, with an estimated incidence of approximately 1 per 30,000 births and encompasses a wide range of severities of chest and upper arm anomalies. The etiology remains unknown, but genetic involvement is suspected. Few radiological investigations have proven useful in the study PS phenotypes and we propose a reference algorithm for guiding pediatricians. Our experience with 245 PS patients in the last 10 years stimulated a phenotypical classification of PS. The management of the different PS types and a therapeutic algorithm according to the phenotypical features of each PS patient are also proposed.

Assessment of copy number variations in 120 patients with Poland syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Poland Syndrome (PS) is a rare congenital disorder presenting with agenesis/hypoplasia of the pectoralis major muscle variably associated with thoracic and/or upper limb anomalies. Most cases are sporadic, but familial recurrence, with different inheritance patterns, has been observed. The genetic etiology of PS remains unknown. Karyotyping and array-comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analyses can identify genomic imbalances that can clarify the genetic etiology of congenital and neurodevelopmental disorders. We previously reported a chromosome 11 deletion in twin girls with pectoralis muscle hypoplasia and skeletal anomalies, and a chromosome six deletion in a patient presenting a complex phenotype that included pectoralis muscle hypoplasia. However, the contribution of genomic imbalances to PS remains largely unknown. METHODS: To investigate the prevalence of chromosomal imbalances in PS, standard cytogenetic and array-CGH analyses were performed in 120 PS patients. RESULTS: Following the application of stringent filter criteria, 14 rare copy number variations (CNVs) were identified in 14 PS patients in different regions outside known common copy number variations: seven genomic duplications and seven genomic deletions, enclosing the two previously reported PS associated chromosomal deletions. These CNVs ranged from 0.04 to 4.71 Mb in size. Bioinformatic analysis of array-CGH data indicated gene enrichment in pathways involved in cell-cell adhesion, DNA binding and apoptosis processes. The analysis also provided a number of candidate genes possibly causing the developmental defects observed in PS patients, among others REV3L, a gene coding for an error-prone DNA polymerase previously associated with Möbius Syndrome with variable phenotypes including pectoralis muscle agenesis. CONCLUSIONS: A number of rare CNVs were identified in PS patients, and these involve genes that represent candidates for further evaluation. Rare inherited CNVs may contribute to, or represent risk factors of PS in a multifactorial mode of inheritance.

De novo deletion of chromosome 11q12.3 in monozygotic twins affected by Poland Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Poland Syndrome (PS) is a rare disorder characterized by hypoplasia/aplasia of the pectoralis major muscle, variably associated with thoracic and upper limb anomalies. Familial recurrence has been reported indicating that PS could have a genetic basis, though the genetic mechanisms underlying PS development are still unknown. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we describe a couple of monozygotic (MZ) twin girls, both presenting with Poland Syndrome. They carry a de novo heterozygous 126 Kbp deletion at chromosome 11q12.3 involving 5 genes, four of which, namely HRASLS5, RARRES3, HRASLS2, and PLA2G16, encode proteins that regulate cellular growth, differentiation, and apoptosis, mainly through Ras-mediated signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Phenotype concordance between the monozygotic twin probands provides evidence supporting the genetic control of PS. As genes controlling cell growth and differentiation may be related to morphological defects originating during development, we postulate that the observed chromosome deletion could be causative of the phenotype observed in the twin girls and the deleted genes could play a role in PS development.

Secuencia Poland: presentación de casos con recurrencia familiar / Poland sequence: case reports of familial recurrence

La Secuencia Poland es un conjunto raro de defectos congénitos caracterizado por la agenesia total o parcial del músculo pectoral mayor con asociaciones variables de otros defectos a nivel de tórax y extremidades superiores. Se presenta de forma esporádica y mayoritariamente afecta un solo lado. El objetivo fue caracterizar desde el punto de vista clínico la Secuencia Poland presente en dos individuos afectados dentro de una misma familia. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de tipo reporte de casos. El hallazgo orienta hacia la transmisión familiar de genes de susceptibilidad que participan en el origen de esta entidad bajo la probable acción de factores ambientales que justifican la marcada heterogeneidad clínica del defecto (AU)

Poland sequence is a rare set of congenital defects characterized by total or partial agenesis of the chest muscle (pectoralis major) with varied associations of other defects at the level of thorax and superior limbs. Its presentation is sporadic and most often affects one side of the body. The objective was to characterize Poland sequence in two individuals of the same family from the clinical point of view. A descriptive study of case reports was conducted. The findings lead to a familial transmission of gene susceptibility participating in the origin of this syndrome under the potential actions of environmental factors that justify the marked clinical heterogeneity of this birth defect (AU)

Familial Poland anomaly revisited.

Poland anomaly (PA) is a pectoral muscle hypoplasia/aplasia variably associated with ipsilateral thoracic (TA) and/or upper limb anomalies (ULA). PA is usually sporadic and sometimes familial, making recurrence risk an issue in genetic counseling. Multidisciplinary evaluation of 240 PA patients was carried out, including physical examination of patients and their parents in 190 PA (subjects of the study). Familial conditions were classified into three groups. Group1: true familial PA (F-PA): pectoral muscle defects with familial recurrence: 8(4.2%). Group2: familial Poland-like anomaly families (F-PLA): PA index case and ≥1 relative(s) showing normal pectoral muscles but ULA and/or TA common in PA: 16(8.4%). Group3: sporadic PA (S-PA): 166(87.4%). F-PA indicated a stronger male (87.5%) and left side (62.5%) prevalence, but fewer ULA (37.5%) compared to the other two groups. Maternal transmission (6/8) was more common in F-PA. Statistical significance was not reached due to the small number of F-PA and F-PLA. Karyotyping and array-comparative genomic hybridization were performed in 13 families. Three maternally inherited copy number variants were identified in three patients: 1p31.1 deletion, Xp11.22 duplication, and 16q23.1 duplication. Interestingly, the proband's mother carrying the 16q23.1 duplication displayed moderate breast and areola asymmetry, but normal pectoral muscles on ultrasound. Though there is no recent review discussing recurrence of PA, we reviewed 31 published PA families. On the basis of our study and previous reports, familial PA is not uncommon. Nonetheless, no information can be derived either regarding a molecular basis or clinical tools with which to identify cases with recurrence risk.

[A neonate with a congenital hand defect]. / Een neonaat met een aangeboren handafwijking.

A newborn presented with a birth defect of his left hand and unilateral hypoplasia of his left musculus pectoralis major and left nipple. He was diagnosed with Poland syndrome.

Síndrome de Moebius-Poland: relato de caso e revisão bibliográfica / Moebius-Poland syndrome: case report and literature review

A síndrome de Poland tem etiologia desconhecida, e está relacionada à embriogênese da quinta à oitava semana de gestação, principalmente devido a malformações dos vasos sanguíneos, gerando distúrbios no desenvolvimento osteomuscular. No caso da síndrome de Moebius, cogita-se causa genética ligada ao cromossomo X, utilização de substâncias teratogênicas e abortivas durante a gravidez e diminuição da irrigação sanguínea com isquemia e necrose dos vasos sanguíneos do tronco cerebral, causando deformidades neurofuncionais ao feto. Alguns autores acreditam que as duas síndromes são independentes; outros, que são variações de uma mesma condição. As duas síndromes juntas formam um conjunto de sinais relacionados, como: deformidades ósseas e musculares, hipoplasias, agenesias, paralisias e disfunções dos pares cranianos, acompanhado de deficiência mental e disfunções respiratórias. O caso relatado conta com uma variedade de sintomas que caracterizam essas síndromes

Of unknown etiology, Poland’s syndrome is related to the embryogenesis in the fifth to eighth week of gestation, mainly due to malformations of blood vessels causing disorders in the musculoskeletal development. In the case of Moebius syndrome, possible etiologies include a X-linked chromosomal disorder, use of abortive and teratogenic substances during pregnancy, and decreased blood flow with ischemia and necrosis of blood vessels in the brainstem, causing neurofunctional deformities in the fetus. While some authors believe that the two syndromes are independent, others think that they are variations of the same condition. The two syndromes together form a set of related signals, such as muscle and bone deformities, hypoplasias, agenesis, paralysis and disorders of the cranial nerves, accompanied by mental retardation and respiratory disorders. This case has a variety of symptoms that characterize these syndromes

A case of Poland Syndrome associated with dextroposition.

Classical Poland Syndrome (PS) is characterized by unilateral, partial or complete absence of the sternocostal head of the major pectoral muscle and brachysyndactyly of fingers on the same side. We report the case of a newborn infant with dextrocardia and PS located on the left side. This association is very rare: to date only 19 cases have been described in scientific literature. In all reported cases, as in the present, the Poland defect involved the left side and was associated to rib defects, whereas most cases of PS are on the right side and few have rib defects. This case supports the view that dextrocardia follows the loss of volume of the left hemithorax caused by Poland sequence and that the combination of PS and dextrocardia is not coincidental.

[Poland-Möbius syndrome associated with lacrimal punctal and canalicular agenesis]. / Syndrome de Poland-Möbius associé à une agénésie des points et des canalicules lacrymaux.

We report the case of a 21-year-old patient who presented with epiphora in the left eye and a bilateral ocular motility problem. The clinical examination revealed bilateral moderate abduction limitation (impairment of the VIth cranial nerve), facial diplegia with amimic face (impairment of the VIIth cranial nerve), punctal agenesis of the left eye, absence of the left pectoralis major muscle, left breast aplasia, and hypoplasia of the left upper limb and hand. Neither the lacrimal puncta nor the canaliculi could be found during surgical exploration of left lacrimal system using operating microscope. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with Poland-Möbius syndrome associated with punctal and canalicular agenesis. Poland-Möbius syndrome is a rare entity characterized by the association of two different syndromes: Poland syndrome and Möbius syndrome. Several abnormalities in association with this syndrome have been published. However, punctal and canalicular agenesis is not among these reported abnormalities.

Anatomical, histologic, and genetic characteristics of congenital chest wall deformities.

There is a large and diverse group of congenital abnormalities of the thorax that manifest as deformities and/or defects of the anterior chest wall and, depending on the severity and concomitant anomalies, may have cardiopulmonary implications. Pectus excavatum, the most common anterior chest deformity, is characterized by sternal depression with corresponding leftward displacement and rotation of the heart. Pectus carinatum, the second most common, exhibits a variety of chest wall protrusions and very diverse clinical manifestations. The cause of these conditions is thought to be abnormal elongation of the costal cartilages. Collagen, as a major structural component of rib cartilage, is implicated by genetic and histologic analysis. Poland syndrome is a unique unilateral chest/hand deficiency that may include rib defects, pectoral muscle deficit, and syndactyly. Cleft sternum is a rare congenital defect resulting from nonfusion of the sternal halves, which leaves the heart unprotected and requires early surgical intervention.

Poland syndrome with bilateral features: case description with review of the literature.

Poland syndrome (PS) has been described as unilateral pectoral muscle deficiency variably associated with ipsilateral thoracic and upper limb anomalies. Bilateral hypoplasia/aplasia of the pectoralis muscle and upper limb defects in association with variable thoracic muscles, chest wall deformities and lower limb defects have been infrequently reported in the literature. We report on a 3(1/2)-year-old girl with clinical features consisting in bilateral asymmetric pectoral muscle defects (complete agenesis on the left side and agenesis of the sternocostal head on the right side), nipple hypoplasia, left rib defect, and right hand symbrachydactyly. In this study, we reviewed the bilateral features present in our patient and those described in the literature. Hypotheses explaining bilateral features in PS are reviewed.

[Poland syndrome: description of two patients in the same family]. / Síndrome de Poland: descripción de dos casos familiares.

Poland syndrome is a congenital condition that consists of the unilateral absence of the large pectoral muscle, ipsilateral sympbrachydactyly, and is occasionally associated with other malformations of the anterior chest wall and breast. The aetiology of Poland's syndrome is unknown, although it is believed to be caused by an interruption or reduction in the embryonic circulation during pregnancy, and the majority of reported cases are sporadic. Only in a few instances there is a familial incidence. We describe the occurrence of Poland's syndrome in two cousins and the malformation is mainly in the large pectoral muscle.

[Poland syndrome--clinical study].

UNLABELLED: Poland's Syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality involving functional and aesthetic impairments. Constitutive mark of the condition: partial or total absence of the pectoralis major and minor muscles, symmetric chest wall deformity, brachydactyly/syndactyly. This syndrome is occasionally associated with either unilateral or bilateral hypoplasia of breast. AIM: We present a case of a patient with Poland's Syndrome. This association has not been previously reported in the medical literature. Difficulties by preoperative diagnosis. The purpose of this article--to propose a classification system for the treatment of this anomaly requiring defining the age of the patients for plastic surgery on the chest. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A 16-year-old female with Poland's Syndrome complained of drastic mood changes consisting of depression and anxiety, regular menses, dysmenorrhea and hypomastia. Two reconstructive surgeries at the age of 12 years--surgical corrections of the sternal malformation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: This work shall describe Poland's Syndrome from a clinical, diagnostic, genetic and therapeutic point of view. The Italian Association for Poland Syndrome founded in October 2003 and two nationwide scientific conferences dealt with the position of scientific research and future prospects with regards to Poland Syndrome. Patients are subject to multi-specialist (surgical, gynecological, genetic, psychological, orthopaedic and plastic surgical) checkups, aiming at an accurate genetic and clinical organisation of a therapeutic programme.