title: Singleton-Merten syndrome: an autosomal dominant disorder with variable expression.
abstract: In 1973, Singleton and Merten described two females with abnormal dentition, unique radiographic changes especially of the hands, and severe calcification and intimal weakening of the aortic arch and valve. Since then three additional cases with similar features have been reported and the diagnosis was suggested in another three individuals. We present an update of one case and the detailed clinical phenotype of six other cases with Singleton-Merten syndrome. The occurrence of the disorder in six members of two families and vertical male-to-male transmission indicate an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Variability in phenotype, also within a single family, is significant. Core manifestations are marked aortic calcification, dental anomalies (delayed eruption and immature root formation of primarily the anterior permanent teeth, and early loss of permanent teeth due to short roots, acute root resorption, high caries, and aggressive alveolar bone loss), osteopenia and acro-osteolysis, and to a lesser extend also glaucoma, psoriasis, muscle weakness, and joint laxity. Additional clinical characteristics described here include particular facial characteristics (high anterior hairline, broad forehead, smooth philtrum, thin upper vermillion) and abnormal joint and muscle ligaments. The cause and pathogenesis of this syndrome remain unknown. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors: Department of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. asjfeigenbaum@gmail.com
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: Feigenbaum
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Müller
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Yale
authors: Johannes
authors: J
authors: Kleinheinz
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Jezewski
authors: Hans Gerd
authors: HG
authors: Kehl
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: MacDougall
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Rutsch
authors: Raoul C M
authors: RC
authors: Hennekam
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003744:Dental Enamel Hypoplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D018126:Odontodysplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D010641:Phenotype; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000235:genetics; D011859:Radiography; D012886:Skull / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000235:genetics; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality