Introduction

Stiff joints present from birth (arthrogryphosis) are a frequent clinical finding. The frequency of the phenomenon stems from the fact that arthrogryphosis can be a syndrome per se, or it can be a part of many other syndromes, malformations or muscular or neurological conditions. Such a vast clinical diversity is accompanied, at least in some of those specific conditions by a remarkable genetic heterogeneity. In some of the characteristic clinical forms the diagnosis is straightforward. In others, finding a precise diagnosis can be a challenge. The different treatments for particular conditions, as well as the possibility for genetic counseling for some of the arthrogryphosis conditions render the very precise diagnosis necessity.

We here present a child with arthrogryphosis congenital multiplex (AMC) and its delineation from the other arthrogryphosis conditions, in particular with the syndromes of the distal arthrogryphosis (DA).

Case Presentation

This 2 year old boy was diagnosed with AMC at the age of 10 months. He was born after uneventful pregnancy, with normal birth weight and length. The parents are unrelated, young and healthy, and the family does not have a history of malformations or mental retardation. A peculiar body posture is evident: internal rotation at the shoulders, extension at the elbows, and flexion at the wrists. A severe equinovarus deformity of the feet and syndactily between II and III finger are also present. A frontal facial midline capillary hemangioma, and a small jaw are also present. His mental development is normal retarded. Ultrasound of the kidneys is uneventful. Creatinin kinase concentrations in serum were normal. Karyotype is normal male: 46, XY. Radiography revealed scoliosis and talipes equinovarus.

Discussion

Since the first descriptions [1] AMC was described as limited flexion of joints of the arms and neck and with absent flexion creases of the fingers. In addition, talipes equinovarus and scoliosis and were also reported. In a review article, Hall et al. (1983)[2] found congenital contracture syndrome in 135 of 350 patients. An early observation included a specific positioning present at birth with internal rotation at the shoulders, extension at the elbows, and flexion at the wrists. Severe equinovarus deformity of the feet is frequently present [3]. A frontal midline capillary hemangioma, small jaw, round face and normal intelligence are also found to be typical. Twins have been described, but the condition is mainly sporadic. Our patient has all the features belonging to the AMC. In addition, since no other family member has joint contractures or a malformation our child is a sporadic case of AMC.

Besides the classic AMC, other distinct types of X-linked arthrogryposis have been described. DA1 is a distal form of AMC characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance, intrafamilial variability and involvement primarily of the hands and feet. The position of the hands is specific: the fingers are medially overlapping and ulnarly deviated, the fists are clenched. No associated visceral anomalies have been reported, while the intelligence is normal [3, 4].

Distal arthrogryposis type 2B is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by clenched fist, overlapping fingers, camptodactyly, ulnar deviation, and positional foot deformities from birth. This type of distal arthrogryphosis can be caused by mutations in TNN3 gene which encodes tropinin T and I.

DA2B shares features with DA1 and Freeman-Sheldon syndrome (FSS), also known as DA2A [5–7]. DA2B is characterized by contractures of the fingers, toes, wrist, ankles, knees, and elbows with a lack of interphalangeal creases and bilateral ptosis [3, 8]. Later, Bamshad et al. (1996) renamed this form of DA as DA5 [9].

There is a considerable genetic heterogeneity among various forms of DA. Sung et al. (2003) reported that DA1 can be caused by mutation of the TPM2, the gene encoding beta-tropomyosin, while DA2B can be caused by mutations in the TNNI2 gene, which encodes an isoform of troponin I [10, 11]. The distal arthrogryposis type 2A can be caused by mutation in the MYH3 gene. Mutations in this gene can also cause distal arthrogryposis type 2B (DA2B), also known as Sheldon-Hall syndrome. An abnormal x-ray appearance of the floor of the anterior cranial fossa of the skull, and facial characteristics withe deep-sunken eyes, hypertelorism, increased philtrum length, small nose and nostrils, and a small mouth are a specific distinction of this DA type [12]. Bamshad et al. (1996) denoted Freeman-Sheldon syndrome as DA2 (later DA2A)[9].

DA2A which includes in its phenotype ptosis, dwarfism, small contracted mouth, and proximal and distal joint contractures was found to have MYH3 gene mutations. On the other hand, Toydemir et al. (2006) found a mutation in the MYH3 gene in 26 of 28 FSS cases [13].

Another form of DA, DA2E, characterized by small mouth and jaw with limited jaw movement, with horizontal depression above the chin, microcephaly and severe flexion contractures of the hands and feet [3, 12].

Congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA) is a rare, autosomal dominant disorder characterized by contractures, arachnodactyly, scoliosis, and crumpled ears with overlapping features with Marfan syndrome. Wang et al. (1995) identified point mutations in the FBN2 gene in cases of CCA [14]. Bamshad et al. (1996) referred to this disorder as distal arthrogryposis type 9 (DA9)[9].

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita can also have neurogenic origin. This form of arthrogryphosis is also genetically heterogeneous. It includes a subgroup which is allelic to spinal muscular atrophy type I, or Werdnig-Hoffmann disease (SMA1).

Some AMC forms are mild [15] and limited to the lower extremities, others (DA 10) have only short tendo calcaneus [16, 17]. DA5 is arthrogryposis with oculomotor limitation and electroretinal abnormalities [18], DA4 (DAIID) is a form with severe scoliosis [3]. AMC can also be of neurogenic type, resulting from GLE1 gene mutations [19], or can have a specific whistling face (Illum syndrome)[20].

Conclusions

AMC is a distinct entity that needs to be delineated from the other arthrogryphosis types (~10 types so far) and other syndromes in which stiff joints are a part of the phenotype (~150 syndromes). In particular, the distinction with the distal forms of arthrogryphosis can be challenging. A considerable clinical and genetic heterogeneity is noted in almost all arthrogryphosis types. Therefore, a comprehensive musculoskeletal evaluation and genetic consultation is necessary.

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the father of the patient for publication of this case report.