Home » Poland Syndrome – Pictures, Symptoms, Causes, Surgery, Treatment

Poland Syndrome – Pictures, Symptoms, Causes, Surgery, Treatment

What is Poland Syndrome?

Poland syndrome is a rare congenital condition characterized by a deformity in the chest wall. The deformity in the chest wall includes the following:

Absent or hypoplasia of the breast and/or nipple
Absent pectoralis minor muscle
Absent costal cartilages
Absent 2^nd to 5^th rib (on the side affected)
Brachysyndactyly or short and fused fingers

Poland Syndrome Showing Hypoplasia of the RIght Breast and Absence of Pectoralis Muscle

Poland syndrome is first described in 1841 by Alfred Poland, who autopsied a convict named George Elt. A chest wall deformity and also an abnormality in the hand was noted from this individual. Alfred Poland took note of this and even preserved the examined hand at the Guy’s Hospital where he worked.

Prevalence of Poland Syndrome

This condition is said to affect males three times more than females. The side of the extremity affected in most of the cases is the right side, which occurs twice as often. The prevalence of this case is approximately at 7,000 for every 100,000 births.

Poland Syndrome Symptoms

The symptoms and clinical features of Poland syndrome can be categorized into three: common features, frequent features and occasional features.

Common Features

Shorter segments of the proximal limbs than the middle and distal parts or Rhizomelic micromelia
Presence of a simian crease on the affected part
Asymmetry of the upper limb
Presence of abnormality in the GI tract
Rib dumbness that is abnormal
Absence of pectoral muscles
Brachysyndactyly(short fused fingers( or brachydactyly (short fingers)
An absent or abnormal humerus
An absent or abnormal radius
An absent or abnormal ulna
Dextrocardia (malpositioned heart)
Anomalies in the liver and/or biliary tract
Syndactyly (fused or webbing of the fingers)
Oligodactyly (missing fingers)
Diaphragmatic hernia
Gestational Diabetes

Frequent Features

Absent or hypoplastic nipples
Abnormalities in the scapula

Occasional Features

Kidney hypoplasia or agenesis (underdeveloped or failure of the kidney to develop while in the womb)
Exencephaly or encephalocele (protrusion of the brain in a sac)
Abnormality in the structure and function of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis
Microcephaly (small skull or head)
Abnormalities in the segmentation of the vertebrae
Ureteric abnormalities
Preaxial polydactyly

Poland Syndrome Causes

The exact cause of Poland syndrome is not yet known. Several theories had been proposed to explain the cause of this condition, among them, the theory about vascular malformation in utero remains to be one supported by evidences.

Sublcavian Artery Supply Disruption Sequence or SASDS

Most evidence points out to this cause of Poland syndrome. In SASDS, an interruption during the 6^th week age of gestation happens and leads to malformations in the musculoskeletal system.

Genes

At some degree, genetic changes and mutations are also seen to cause Poland syndrome. Although the exact gene that causes this condition is not yet known, evidences indicate that genetics play a role in this disease. However, genetics still remains to be an issue since most of the cases are sporadic, or manifests even without familial history.

Poland Syndrome Associated Conditions

Other conditions that are associated with Poland syndrome include:

Mobius syndrome– a congenital anomaly where there is bilateral paralysis of the face and inability to do eye ebduction
Klippel-Feil Syndrome
Malignancies in the Hematopoietic system

Poland Syndrome Diagnosis

Poland syndrome can be diagnosed through the following:

Clinical Examination

The presence of physical manifestations upon clinical examination can be used to diagnose Poland syndrome.

Imaging studies such as MRI and CT Scan

These are done to look for the presence of internal organ involvement seen in Poland’s syndrome. An MRI or CT scan can be utilized for the assessment of muscle deformities (such as the absence or hypoplasia of the pectoralis muscle) and also to assess for the presence of heart and kidney anomalies seen in this condition.

Poland Syndrome Treatment

Reconstructive Surgery

The main stay treatment for Poland syndrome is reconstructive surgery. The goal of reconstructive surgery is to restore or improve the structure of the affected side. For males, reconstructive surgery can be done at 13 years of age, while for females surgery is done when the breast development is already complete. This is to ensure the reconstructed breasts are of symmetry.

Reconstructive surgery often involves autologous grafts or the placement of one’s chest to provide contour and improved its condition.

Chest Wall Repair

An immediate chest wall repair may be indicated especially if the defect is in the chest wall (the absence of the ribs) cause lung hernia. The hernia can be appreciated if the child cries or laughs. This herniation can lead to a flail chest, and this must be prevented by repairing the chest wall. A chest wall repair would stabilize the chest and prevent any herniation.

Chest wall repair usually involves the placement of autologous rib grafts as a replacement for the missing or short ribs.

Plastic Surgery for Syndactyly

Children with syndactyly can be treated with plastic surgery. Plastic surgery would repair or reconstruct the fused fingers and separate them properly to improve the child’s grip. This surgery must be done within the first year.

Physical Therapy

After the surgical intervention, physical therapy is then employed to further improve the child’s condition. Physical therapy would address the muscular weakness and disabilities in Poland syndrome.

Prognosis

Prognosis is good for children who undergo surgical reconstruction of the chest wall. Prognosis is also good if early and proper treatment is done.

Complications

Complications from this syndrome include:

Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Respiratory Failure as a result of an untreated lung hernia
Heart Complications from Dextrocardia
Possible Kidney Problems from Kidney agenesis and ureteric abnormalies
Development of lymphoma, leukemia and other associated hematopoietic malignancies also associated with the syndrome.