Acroform type of enchondromatosis associated with severe vertebral involvement and facial dysmorphism in a boy with a new variant of enchondromatosis type I1 of Spranger: case report and a review of the literature

Background Enchondromatosis represent a heterogenous group of disorders. Spranger et al attempted a classification into 6 types: Ollier disease, Maffuci syndrome, metachondromatosis, spondyloenchondrodysplasia, enchondromatosis with irregular vertebral lesions, and generalized enchondromatosis. Halal and Azouz added 3 tentative categories to the 6 in the classification of Spranger et al. Case presentation We report on a 15-year-old boy with acrofrom upper limbs and mixed appearance of radiolucency, cysts and striae of fibro-chondromatosis. Lower limbs (femoral, tibial and fibular dysplasia showed enlarged metaphyses near the knees bilaterally) were present. Additional features of short stature, macrocephaly, facial dysmorphism, and generalised platyspondyly have been encountered. These bone shortenings were associated with bone bending, curving and rhizomelia of the upper limbs with significant macrodactyly. Limitations in articular movements were present. The forearm deformities were similar to those observed in hereditary multiple exostosis. Conclusion The acrofrom upper limbs with mixed appearances of radiolucencies, cysts and striae of fibro-chondromatosis are the basic features of type I1Spranger. The constellation of facial dysmorphic features and significant vertebral abnormalities in our present patient were not compatible with the above-mentioned type of enchondromatosis. Our report widens the knowledge of disorders characterised by enchondromatosis. Ascertainment of the mode of inheritance in our present patient was difficult because of insufficient family history and parents declined clinical/radiographic documentation.