A 3-year-old girl was referred for mental retardation with known consanguinity. She was treated for a ventricular septal defect. Clinical examination revealed crooked little fingers and short index fingers. For further evaluation of a skeletal dysplasia, conventional radiographs of the pelvis, thoracolumbar spine, hands, and feet were performed.
Anteroposterior radiographs of both hands showed an absence of the intermediary phalanx of the index finger on both sides (bold arrows Fig. 1, 2). There was also shortening and slanting of the distal articular surface of the intermediary phalanx of the fifth finger with a subsequent radial deflection, more pronounced on the left side (arrows Fig. 1, 2).
Dorsoplantar radiographs of both feet revealed absence of the intermediary phalanges of the second to fifth toe on both sides (bold arrows Fig. 3, 4).
Pelvic and thoracolumbar radiographs were normal.
Brachydactyly is a descriptive term for ‘short digits’. It may affect the metacarpals, phalanges, metatarsals or all. Shortening may be due to an abnormal shape, absence or fusion of bones. Fusion of the phalanges is also known as symphalangism. If the deformity leads to a deflection of the finger, it is called clinodactyly.
It occurs either as an isolated form or as a part of a complex syndrome.
In the isolated form, it is generally inherited in an autosomal dominant way with a variable penetrance and severity. The deformity is classified according to Bell and has been further elaborated by Temtamy and McKusik.
The different types are listed in Table 1 and Figure 4. Most of the types are rare, with the exception of type A3 and type D, having a prevalence of about 2%.
Besides the more common clinodactyly, as in type A3, our patient presented also with an absence of the middle phalanges of both index fingers as well as in the second to fourth toe on both sides. This is in line with type A4, also known as brachymesophalangy II and V or Temtamy type. This type is a rare occurrence, only a few are reported in literature, mostly in family studies. The absence of the intermediary phalanges of the toes is not a constant feature of this type.
Sometimes, the fourth digit of the hand can also be affected, in which it has an abnormal shape with radial deviation, leading to a crooked ring finger. When a patient presents with a crooked finger, the radiologist should carefully scrutinize the shape, absence or fusion of all bones within the hand, in order to differentiate isolated (non-congenital) forms of clinodactyly from complex inherited forms which need further genetic counselling.
Brachydactyly type A4 (Bell’s classification), brachymesophalangy II-V, Temtamy type brachydactyly.
Based on the provided X-ray images of both hands and feet, the following main features can be observed:
1. Absence or significant shortening of the middle phalanges of the index fingers in both hands, resulting in asymmetry in overall phalangeal morphology;
2. Notable clinodactyly of the little finger, presenting as radial deviation of the distal phalanx;
3. Absence or considerable shortening of the middle phalanges of the 2nd through 4th toes in both feet, leading to abnormal toe alignment;
4. The remaining finger and toe phalanges are generally normal in count and shape, though some degree of shortening is observed;
5. Comprehensive assessment of finger/toe morphology and development suggests multiple absent or malformed middle phalanges.
Considering the patient’s age (3 years old), female sex, existence of congenital heart disease (ventricular septal defect), and a family history of consanguineous marriage, the following diagnoses are proposed:
After considering the following factors, the most probable diagnosis is:
1. The patient’s clinical profile (congenital heart disease, consanguineous family marriage);
2. Radiographic findings of absent or markedly shortened middle phalanges of the index fingers and 2nd–4th toes;
3. Clinodactyly of the little finger;
Taken together, the most likely final diagnosis is: Congenital Brachydactyly Type A4 (Temtamy type).
Given the patient’s young age, a comprehensive approach should be taken that accounts for hand and foot function, the degree of cosmetic deformity, and the status of the underlying cardiac condition (post-surgery or follow-up for the ventricular septal defect). The following recommendations are provided:
Disclaimer: This report is based solely on the current radiographic images and medical history provided. It is intended as a reference and does not replace in-person consultation or professional medical advice. If you have any concerns, please consult a specialist for further assessment.
Brachydactyly type A4 (Bell’s classification), brachymesophalangy II-V, Temtamy type brachydactyly.