Hemiscrotal agenesis with complete testicular descent in Van der Woude syndrome: a new phenotypic feature

BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Sep 4;12(9):e229938. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2019-229938.

Abstract

Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) and popliteal pterygium syndrome (PPS) spectrum are due to genetic variants in the IRF6 which phenotypically has been known to manifest with midline defects such as cleft lip and palate in VWS and additional nail, limb and genital anomalies in PPS. We report a case of VWS with the previously unrecognised phenotypic feature of hemiscrotal agenesis. While bifid scrotum has been reported in the more severe PPS, neither VWS nor PPS have previously noted hemiscrotal agenesis as part of the phenotypic picture. Hemiscrotal agenesis without evidence of any genetic anomaly has only been reported four times in the literature to date with two of these being accompanied by complete testicular descent. Treatment options include topical androgen application and/or scrotoplasty to allow for adequate testicular thermoregulation and development to occur.

Keywords: genetics; infant health; paediatric surgery; plastic and reconstructive surgery; urological surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple / genetics*
  • Cleft Lip / genetics*
  • Cleft Lip / surgery
  • Cleft Palate / genetics*
  • Cysts / genetics*
  • Foot Deformities, Congenital
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors
  • Lip / abnormalities*
  • Male
  • Orchiopexy
  • Pedigree
  • Scrotum / abnormalities*
  • Scrotum / surgery

Substances

  • IRF6 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors

Supplementary concepts

  • Van der Woude syndrome