Klippel-Feil syndrom: a duplicated thumb

Aryé Weinberg, Andreas Eberhard Albers

PAMJ. 2018; 31:42. Published 20 Sep 2018 | doi:10.11604/pamj.2018.31.42.16327

A 71-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of a vertigo. At clinical examination a duplicated right thumb was noticed. The Patient revealed that she was suffering from Klippel-Feil Syndrom (KFS). KFS is a rare skeletal disease where a mutation of the GDF6 and GDF3 genes can be found. It is characterized by congenital fusion of any of the 7 cervical vertebrae. There can be associations with other malformations such as congenital elevation of the scapula (Sprengel’s deformity), spina bifida, scoliosis, cleft palate, malformations of the heart, head, face, arms, legs and fingers. Because of these heterogeneous medical associated conditions treatment for KFS is symptomatic and can include surgery.
Corresponding author
Aryé Weinberg, Prosper-Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Recklinghausen, Germany (aryeweinberg@gmail.com)


The Pan African Medical Journal (ISSN: 1937-8688) is a subsidiary of the Pan African Medical Journal. The contents of this journal is intended exclusively for professionals in the medical, paramedical and public health and other health sectors.

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