A variant of Cenani-Lenz syndactyly (CLS): review of the literature and attempt of classification

Summary An oligodactylous variant of Cenani-Lenz syndactyly and its surgical treatment is presented. The deformity is believed to be of autosomal recessive inheritance and caused by a disordered axial and longitudinal differentiation of the upper and lower extremities. The classical form is mainly characterised by a complete syndactyly of the hands. Malformations may also affect the bones of the forearm and, to a lesser extent, the lower limbs. We analysed clinical features and compared them with those previously described. According to our research of literature and our clinical findings there seem to exist two grossly different clinical phenotypes: spoon hand type and oligodactyly type. Typical constant clinical features such as carpal, metacarpal and digital synostoses, disorganisation of carpal bones, reduction of digital rays and syndactyly of toes are found in the reported cases. Inconstant features such as radio-ulnar synostosis, brachymesomelia, metatarsal synostoses and reduction of metatarsal rays may be present. In our case, successful bilateral digital ray individualisation and tendon transfers were performed to construct a grip function of the grossly deformed hands.