Schwartz syndrome: myotonia with blepharophimosis and limitation of joints

Schwartz-Jampel syndrome: evidence of central nervous system dysfunction

We report four patients with Schwartz-Jampel syndrome showing evidence of central conduction impairment documented by somatosensory evoked potentials. Median nerve somatosensory evoked potential showed normal latencies to Erb's point and N13 in all patients. Interpeak latencies between N13 and N19 were prolonged in five nerves, with complete block in three nerves. Posterior tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials were performed in three patients. Peripheral latencies were normal in all patients. Interpeak latencies between lumbar and cervical potentials were prolonged in two patients, with conduction delay between cervical and cortical potentials in five of the six nerves tested. Visually evoked potentials, brainstem auditory evoked potentials, electromyography, and nerve conduction velocity studies were normal in all patients. Parents' median nerve and posterior tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials were normal.

Schwartz-Jampel syndrome with dominant inheritance

The Schwartz-Jampel syndrome (SJS) is a rare congenital multisystem disorder of unknown pathogenesis which is characterized by distinct faces, skeletal deformities, joint contractures, short stature, muscle hypertrophy, clinical myotonia, and continuous muscle fiber activity. The inheritance pattern of SJS has been assumed to be autosomal recessive. We report the occurrence of the classic SJS syndrome in both a father and son in a non-consanguineous family, suggesting that SJS has the potential for a dominant pattern of inheritance.

Late infantile autosomal recessive myotonia, mental retardation, and skeletal abnormalities: a new autosomal recessive syndrome

Four sibs of non-consanguineous parents who had myotonia from late infancy are described. Mild to moderate mental retardation, severe bone abnormalities of the vertebral column (mainly in the thoracolumbar region), and short stature were also observed. Autosomal recessive inheritance is demonstrated. These cases are compared with reported cases of the Schwartz-Jampel syndrome.

Congenital myopathy with oculo-facial and skeletal abnormalities

A case report is presented of a boy with congenital myopathy associated with oculo-facial and skeletal abnormalities. The relationship of this case to patients with the Schwartz-Jampel and Marden-Walker syndromes is discussed.

Familial insertional translocation of a portion of 3q into 11q resulting in duplication and deletion of region 3q22.1 leads to q24 in different offspring

The use of elongated prophase and prometaphase chromosome preparations has allowed detection of an insertion of a small segment of 3q into 11q in a kindred with 4 balanced carriers and 8 unbalanced offspring. Those with partial 3q deletion have a true multiple congenital anomalies/mental retardation (MCA/MR) syndrome with an appearance suggestive of the Schwartz-Jampel syndrome.

Chondrodystrophic myotonia: electromyographic and cardiac features of a case

TheSchwartz-Jampel syndrome or chondrodystrophic myotonia is a rare disease characterized by dwarfism, diffuse osteoarticular alterations, blepharospasm, perioral muscular contractions and electromyographic alterations. The authors present a case of chondrodystrophic myotonia focusing mainly on facial electromyographic and cardiac findings. The electromyography of the orbicularis oculi muscles showed abundant myotonic discharges like other facial muscles as well as muscles of the members. It was not possible to obtain true electrical silence between myotonic discharges, suggesting that the blepharospasm is a consequence of persistent muscular contraction. No conclusive evidence of myocardiopathy was given by clinical or laboratory cardiac examinations. General characteristics of the syndrome are discussed as well as the treatment with procamide and phenytoin.

Schwartz-Jampel syndrome. Clinical, electrophysiological and histopathological study of a severe variant

This report describes a child, offspring of a first cousin marriage, with a severe and progressive disorder of bone and cartilage growth associated with a myotonia-like syndrome. Clinical manifestations of this disease began at birth with marked generalized muscle hypertrophy, stiffness, myotonia and multiple skeletal deformities. Successively severe dwarfism and mental retardation were observed. Neurophysiological studies showed continuous high frequently low voltage activity at rest and myotonic discharges which did not wax and wane. These abnormalities persisted after complete curarization. Muscle biopsy showed mild dystrophic changes. Polymeric glycosaminoglycans and degradation product excretion was normal. These findings are similar to those described in Schwartz-Jampel syndrome, but since the clinical picture was fully expressed at birth and was unusually severe, it is suggested that the patient's condition may have represented a severe variant of this syndrome.

Schwartz-Jampel syndrome in two daughters of first cousins

The clinical and pathological features of two sisters born from consanguineous parents and affected by the rare Schwartz-Jampel syndrome are reported. The parental consanguinity of these two patients and the findings of electromyographic changes in the mother strongly support an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. No response of growth hormone secretion to arginine and insulin stimulation tests was found.

A case of Schwartz-Jampel syndrome with unusual muscle biopsy findings

A case of Schwartz-Jampel syndrome with electrical, radiographic, biopsy, and pharmacological studies is presented along with a summary of the 12 other reported cases. Radiological study showed nonspecific but definite abnormalities. The muscle biopsy revealed myopathic and neurogenic features. No drug was effective in reducing our patient's stiffness.