Congenital contractural arachnodactyly with neurogenic muscular atrophy: case report

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2001 Jun;59(2-A):259-62. doi: 10.1590/s0004-282x2001000200022.

Abstract

We report the case of a 3-(1/2)-year-old girl with hypotonia, multiple joint contractures, hip luxation, arachnodactyly, adducted thumbs, dolichostenomelia, and abnormal external ears suggesting the diagnosis of congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA). The serum muscle enzymes were normal and the needle electromyography showed active and chronic denervation. The muscle biopsy demonstrated active and chronic denervation compatible with spinal muscular atrophy. Analysis of exons 7 and 8 of survival motor neuron gene through polymerase chain reaction did not show deletions. Neurogenic muscular atrophy is a new abnormality associated with CCA, suggesting that CCA is clinically heterogeneous.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Contracture / complications
  • Contracture / congenital*
  • Exons
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Marfan Syndrome / complications
  • Marfan Syndrome / genetics*
  • Muscular Atrophy / complications
  • Muscular Atrophy / congenital
  • Muscular Atrophy / pathology