Gardner's syndrome: a case report

Gardner's syndrome (GS) is a dysplasia characterized by neoformations of the intestine, soft tissue, and osseous tissue. Because extra-intestinal manifestations, in particular osteomas, appear promptly even in infants affected with the syndrome and because of the possibility of malignant degeneration, the presence of osteomas necessitates regular surveillance to promptly diagnose the development of an intestinal polyposis typical of GS. This study describes a case of GS diagnosed merely upon suspicion of the existence of the syndrome in a patient who came to our Emergency Department. The study also emphasizes the importance not only of carrying our regular surveillance investigations to ascertain the presence of GS (colonoscopy), but also studying the relatives of any patient with GS, in light of the fact that this particular dysplasia is transmitted genetically.