Short-rib polydactyly syndrome, Beemer-Langer type, with bilateral huge polycystic renal dysplasia: an autopsy case

Short rib-polydactyly syndrome (SRPS) is a group of lethal skeletal dysplasia of an autosomal recessive inheritance characterized by markedly narrow ribs, micromelia, and multiple anomalies of major organs. We report a case of type IV SRPS with uncommon associations of polydactyly and bilateral polycystic kidneys, in a 28 week old female fetus. She was born dead to a 28 year old mother, showing a hydropic change, narrow thorax, and shortened limbs with postaxial heptasyndactyly of both hands and feet. Radiologic examination revealed short horizontal ribs, curved short tubular limb bones, small ilia and scapula, and a mild vertebral abnormality. Postmortem examination disclosed pulmonary hypoplasia, pancreatic cysts, hepatic fibrosis, and left persistent superior vena cava. In addition this case had bilateral huge polycystic renal dysplasia that was seldom described in any type of SRPS. Histologic sections of the vertebrae disclosed abnormal enchondral ossification with irregular and retarded hypertrophic zone.