Neuropediatrics 2007; 38(4): 200-203
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-985908
Short Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Megalencephaly and Perisylvian Polymicrogyria with Postaxial Polydactyly and Hydrocephalus (MPPH): Report of a New Case

L. Garavelli 1 , E. Guareschi 1 , S. Errico 1 , A. Simoni 2 , P. Bergonzini 2 , M. Zollino 3 , F. Gurrieri 3 , G. M. Mancini 4 , R. Schot 4 , P. J. Van Der Spek 5 , G. Frigieri 2 , P. Zonari 6 , E. Albertini 1 , E. Della Giustina 7 , S. Amarri 1 , G. Banchini 1 , W. B. Dobyns 8 , G. Neri 3
  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Genetic Unit, S. Maria Nuova Hospital, Reggio Emilia, Italy
  • 2Department of Pediatrics, Carpi Hospital, Carpi, Italy
  • 3Institute of Medical Genetics, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
  • 4Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical Faculty, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • 5Department of Bioinformatics, Medical Faculty, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • 6Department of Neuroscience, Neuroradiology, Carpi Hospital, Carpi, Italy
  • 7Department of Neuropsychiatry, S. Maria Nuova Hospital, Reggio Emilia, Italy
  • 8Departments of Human Genetics, Neurology and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
Further Information

Publication History

received 23.04.2007

accepted 04.07.2007

Publication Date:
04 December 2007 (online)

Abstract

Megalencephaly (MEG), or enlargement of the brain, can either represent a familial variant with normal cerebral structure, or a rare brain malformation associated with developmental delay and neurological problems. MEG has been split into two subtypes: anatomical and metabolic. The latter features a build-up inside the cells owing to metabolic causes. Anatomical MEG has been detected in many different conditions, including many overgrowth syndromes. In 2004 Mirzaa et al. reported five non-consanguineous patients with a new MCA/MR syndrome characterized by severe congenital MEG with polymicrogyria (PMG), postaxial polydactyly (POLY) and hydrocephalus (HYD). The authors argued that these findings identified a new and distinct malformation syndrome, which they named MPPH. We report on a new case of MPPH, the first to be described after the original series (Mirzaa et al., 2004).

References

  • 1 Amir N, Gross-Kieselstein E, Hirsch HJ, Lax E, Silverberg-Shalev R. Weaver-Smith syndrome. A case study with long-term follow-up.  Am J Dis Child. 1984;  138 1113-1117
  • 2 Biesecker LG, Happle R, Mulliken JB, Weksberg R, Graham Jr JM, Viljoen DL. Proteus syndrome: Diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis and patient evaluation.  Am J Med Genet. 1999;  84 389-395
  • 3 Clayton-Smith J, Kerr B, Brunner H, Tranebjaerg L, Magee A, Hennekam RCM. et al . Macrocephaly with cutis marmorata, haemangioma and syndactyly - a distinctive overgrowth syndrome.  Clin Dysmorphol. 1997;  6 291-302
  • 4 DeMyer W. Megalencephaly in children. Clinical syndromes, genetic patterns and differential diagnosis from other causes of megalocephaly.  Neurology. 1972;  22 634-643
  • 5 Dekaban AS, Priestly BL. Megalencephaly. In: Vinken PJ, Bruyn G (Eds), Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Amsterdam: North Holland 1977: 64-660
  • 6 Garavelli L, Leask K, Zanacca C, Pedori S, Albertini G, Della Giustina E. et al . MRI and neurological findings in macrocephaly - cutis marmorata teleangiectasica congenita syndrome: report of ten cases and review of the literature.  Genetic Counselling. 2005;  16 117-128
  • 7 Gohlich-Ratmann C, Baethmann M, Lorenz P, Gartner J, Goebel HH, Engelbrecht V. et al . Megalencephaly, mega corpus callosum and complete lack of motor development: a previously undescribed syndrome.  Am J Med Genet. 1988;  79 161-167
  • 8 Mirzaa G, Dodge NN, Glass I, Day C, Gripp K, Nicholson L, Straub V, Voit T, Dobyns WB. Megalencephaly and perisylvian polymicrogyria with postaxial polydactyly and hydrocephalus: a rare brain malformation syndrome associated with mental retardation and seizures.  Neuropediatrics. 2004;  35 353-359
  • 9 Moore CA, Toriello HV, Abuelo DN, Bull MJ, Curry CJR, Hall BD. et al . Macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita: a distinct disorder with developmental delay and connective tissue abnormalities.  Am J Med Genet. 1997;  70 67-73
  • 10 Pavone P, Incorpora G, Ruggieri M. A complex brain malformation syndrome with rhombencephalosynapsis, preaxial hexadactyly plus facial and skull anomalies.  Neuropediatrics. 2005;  36 279-283
  • 11 Schaefer GB, Bodensteiner JB, Buehler BA, Lin A, Cole TR. The neuroimaging findings in Sotos syndrome.  Am J Med Genet. 1997;  68 462-465

Correspondence

Dr. L. Garavelli

Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Genetica

Clinica Dipartimento Ostetrico-Ginecologico e Pediatrico

Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova

Azienda Ospedaliera

Viale Risorgimento 80

42100 Reggio Emilia

Italy

Phone: +39/0522/29 62 44/29 62 41

Fax: +39/0522/29 62 66

Email: garavelli.livia@asmn.re.it

    >