A Genetic Approach to the Diagnosis of Skeletal Dysplasia
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CLINICAL ORTHOPAEDICS AND RELATED RESEARCH Number 401, pp. 32–38 © 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. A Genetic Approach to the Diagnosis of Skeletal Dysplasia Sheila Unger, MD The skeletal dysplasias are a large and hetero- geneous group of disorders. Currently, there Glossary are more than 100 recognized forms of skeletal COL9A1, COL9A2, COL9A3 ϭ Type IX col- dysplasia, which makes arriving at a specific di- lagen is a heterotrimeric protein composed agnosis difficult. This process is additionally of one chain each of ␣1(1ϫ), ␣2(1ϫ), and complicated by the rarity of the individual con- ␣3(1ϫ). These three polypeptides are in turn ditions. The establishment of a precise diagnosis encoded by three separate genes: COL9A1, is important for numerous reasons, including COL9A2, and COL9A3. prediction of adult height, accurate recurrence COMP ϭ The cartilage oligomeric matrix pro- risk, prenatal diagnosis in future pregnancies, tein is a homopentameric structural protein and most importantly, for proper clinical treat- and it is a part of the extracellular matrix of ment. When a child is referred for genetic eval- cartilage. The protein is encoded by the uation of suspected skeletal dysplasia, clinical COMP gene. and radiographic indicators, and more specific DTDST ϭ The DTDST gene codes for the di- biochemical and molecular tests, are used to try astrophic dysplasia sulphate transporter which to arrive at the underlying diagnosis. Prefer- is necessary for the sulfation of proteogly- ably, the clinical features and pattern of radio- cans in the cartilage matrix. graphic abnormalities are used to generate a FGFR3 ϭ The fibroblast growth factor receptor differential diagnosis so that the appropriate 3 is a tyrosine kinase receptor that binds confirmatory tests can be done. The current au- growth factors. Mutations in the FGFR3 thor will review this sequence of diagnostic gene that cause increased activation result in steps. For geneticists, this process starts with the FGFR3 family of skeletal dysplasias, history gathering including the prenatal and which includes hypochondroplasia, achon- family history. This is followed by clinical ex- droplasia, and thanatophoric dysplasia. amination with measurements and radiographs. MATN3 ϭ The matrilin-3 protein, which forms Only once a limited differential diagnosis has part of the extracellular matrix of cartilage, is been established, should molecular investiga- encoded by the MATN3 gene. tions be considered. The original classification of skeletal dys- From the Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, plasias was simple but grossly inaccurate. Pa- Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. tients were categorized as either short-trunked Reprint requests to Sheila Unger, MD, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5G (Morquio syndrome) or short-limbed (achon- 1X8, Canada. droplasia).23 As the field expanded more than DOI: 10.1097/01.blo.0000022193.37246.71 200 different dysplasias were described and 32 Number 401 August, 2002 Diagnosis of Skeletal Dysplasia 33 this gave rise to an unwieldy and complicated achondroplasia have a normal birth length with nomenclature.9,10,22 The advent of molecular subsequent failure of linear growth.18 Increas- testing has allowed the grouping of some dys- ingly, skeletal dysplasias, even the nonlethal plasias into families and a small trimming of varieties, are being detected on prenatal ultra- numbers. For example, the Type II col- sound and it is worthwhile to inquire whether lagenopathies range from the perinatal lethal any ultrasounds were done during pregnancy form (Achondrogenesis Type II) to precocious and whether any discrepancy was observed osteoarthritis.1,13,26,30 This also was the first between fetal size and gestational dates.8 Al- group of skeletal dysplasias for which the un- though the age at which growth failure is ob- derlying genetic defect was found.15 It was served has some variability, it tends to be hoped that the molecular elucidation would fairly constant and can be used in developing lead to a far smaller number of skeletal dys- a differential diagnosis. plasias and a much easier clinical classifica- A family history also should be taken. Ob- tion. Although grouping into molecularly re- viously, if there is another family member lated families has somewhat simplified the with a skeletal dysplasia, this will be impor- classification, there still remain a large num- tant in assessing mode of inheritance. It also is ber of skeletal dysplasias without a known important to note parental heights if consider- genetic basis. The nomenclature continues to ing that the child simply might have familial undergo revisions as new molecular genetic short stature. information becomes available.21 Inquiry should be made for findings related The spectrum of skeletal dysplasias ranges to the skeletal system. Some of these are obvi- from the perinatal lethal to individuals with ous, such as joint pain and scoliosis. Patients normal stature and survival but early onset os- with some skeletal dysplasias present with teoarthrosis.10 The patients most likely to pre- multiple congenital joint dislocations, for ex- sent to an orthopaedic surgeon are those who ample atelosteogenesis Type III.25 Other find- present in childhood with short stature. It some- ings that the family might have noticed include times is unclear whether the cause of growth ligamentous laxity or conversely progressive failure is systemic or skeletal. Renal, endocrine, finger contractures. Sometimes findings unre- and cardiac abnormalities might need to be lated to the skeletal system can be most helpful ruled out. However, patients with these condi- in making the diagnosis, for instance, abnor- tions will present with proportionate short mal hair and susceptibility to infections in car- stature whereas the dysplasias most often cause tilage-hair hypoplasia (McKusick metaphyseal disproportionate short stature. Also, some ge- dysplasia).16,17 Unfortunately, these additional netic syndromes cause primordial growth fail- findings are by no means constant. Parents may ure but should be easily distinguishable on the not consider other manifestations relevant to basis of associated features such as develop- the diagnosis and a history will not be offered mental delay, dysmorphic facies, and if neces- unless specifically asked for. sary features seen on radiographs.11 Physical Examination History On physical examination, growth parameters When presented with a child with dispropor- are essential information. It is important to note tionate short stature, a focused history can not only the height of the child but also weight give invaluable clues as to the differential di- and head circumference. This sometimes can agnosis. In genetics, this begins with prenatal establish a pattern, for example in achondropla- history and includes birth length. Patients with sia, the head circumference is greater than nor- some skeletal dysplasias, for example achon- mal whereas height is reduced dramatically droplasia, present with short stature at birth7 compared with normal.29 Determining propor- whereas others, such as those with pseudo- tions is done by measurement of the lower seg- Clinical Orthopaedics 34 Unger and Related Research ment. The lower segment measurement is sub- specific region can be important in making the tracted from the total height to determine the differential diagnosis. The dysplasias gener- upper segment and therefore the upper seg- ally are classified by which parts of the skele- ment to lower segment ratio. This ratio and the ton are involved. The patterns may include arm span to height ratio are used to document any or all of the following: spondylo-, epiphy- which is more severely shortened: spine or seal, metaphyseal, and diaphyseal dysplasia. limbs. When there is limb shortening, it is This system helps to narrow the differential to helpful to classify it as rhizomelic, mesomelic, a group of dysplasias.23 Pseudoachondropla- or acromelic depending on which segment is sia is a classic example of a spondyloepimeta- most affected. physeal dysplasia. In childhood, children with As in other genetic syndromes, ancillary pseudoachondroplasia have anterior beaking signs can be helpful in securing the diagnosis of their lumbar vertebrae (Fig 2), small irreg- and therefore a general physical examination ular epiphyses, and metaphyseal flaring (Figs also is recommended. These would include such 3, 4). This pattern of features is specific to findings as congenital heart disease, poly- pseudoachondroplasia and sufficient for making dactyly and dystrophic nails (Fig 1) in chon- the diagnosis.3,14 This dysplasia also shows droectodermal dysplasia (Ellis-vanCreveld that the radiographic features of a dysplasia syndrome).6 One finding never is present in are not static. The diagnosis of pseudoachon- 100% of patients with a syndrome but if pre- droplasia is much more difficult on radiographs sent, can be instructive. A good example of of adults when the epiphyses have fused and this is the cystic ear swellings seen in children with diastrophic dysplasia, which are fairly specific for this disorder.24 Imaging Studies The next step is obtaining good quality skele- tal radiographs. A skeletal survey is necessary for diagnosis, because normal findings in a Fig 1. A photograph of the hand of a 1-month-old Fig 2. A radiograph of the lateral spine of a child child with Ellis-vanCreveld syndrome shows with pseudoachondroplasia shows the platy- polydactyly and dystrophic nails.