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Sorsby Macular Coloboma Syndrome

OMIM ID:

autosomal dominant

Sorsby Macular Coloboma Syndrome

Alternate Names

apical dystrophy
Sorsby syndrome

Defective Genes

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Clinical Characteristics

Ocular Features

Macular colobomas, usually bilateral, are the major ocular feature of this oculoskeletal disorder.  These are non-progressive and are generally heavily pigmented.  Vision is, of course, severely reduced (20/200) and horizontal or pendular nystagmus is a feature in some cases.

Systemic Features

The systemic features are primarily skeletal.  Patients have short-limbed dwarfism and brachydactyly of the type B variety.  The thumbs and sometimes the large toes may be broad and bifid.  The distal two phalanges sometimes short, absent, or duplicated and the nails can be dysplastic or absent. Syndactyly of several digits in both hands and feet is common.  The ears are large and protuberant and some patients have deafness.  Oligodontia may be present.  Cartilage can have diastrophic changes.  Mental development is normal.

Genetics

Inheritance

In the few families reported, the transmission pattern is vertical suggesting autosomal dominant inheritance but no mutation or locus has been reported.  The mutation causing brachydactyly type B1 was not present in several cases.

Pedigree

Autosomal dominant

Autosomal dominant disorders require only one mutation for the disease to be expressed.  Since an affected parent has two chromosomes, only one of which has the mutant gene, parents can expect that half (50%) of their children will receive that one and inherit the disease.  It is common for individuals that inherit the mutation, however, to not have evidence of the disease (nonpenetrance).

Image
Sample pedigree of autosomal dominant inheritance

Autosomal dominant inheritance leads to a vertical pattern of transmission

Treatment & Management

Surgical treatment of digital anomalies can be beneficial.  Low vision aids could be helpful as well.

Publications

Displaying 1 - 2 of 2

CONGENITAL COLOBOMA OF THE MACULA: TOGETHER WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE FAMILIAL OCCURRENCE OF BILATERAL MACULAR COLOBOMA IN ASSOCIATION WITH APICAL DYSTROPHY OF HANDS AND FEET

PubMedID: 18169256

Sorsby syndrome: a report on further generations of the original family.

PubMedID: 3385739