Morphologic and radiographic characterization of fibular dimelia.
Fibular dimelia accompanied by complete tibial agenesis is a rare developmental anomaly that has been reported in the anatomic and clinical literature as both a dimelia and a diplopodia. Previous reports have offered variable descriptions of structural aberration and possible modes of altered embryologic development. We present a clinical and radiographic history of the progressive development of this anomaly, and a detailed postsurgical dissection and histopathologic examination. The specific mirroring of the separate components in this case has not been previously reported, and suggests that a reestablishment of limb polarity may have occurred during embryogenesis. Our detailed morphologic investigation strongly suggests a central role for the mesenchymal precursor from which chondro-osseous morphology subsequently emerges, and the relevance to establishing muscular attachments.
Ganey
T M
TM
Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. tganey9689@aol.com
Carey
T P
TP
O'Neal
M L
ML
Ogden
J A
JA
D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005529:Foot Bones / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005532:Foot Deformities, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D017880:Limb Deformities, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D017689:Polydactyly / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography