Prevalence of RIB anomalies in normal Caucasian children and childhood cancer patients

Minor phenotypic variants in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia from west Mexico

“…We also find that few studies include an anthropometric assessment for defining the presence of the various MPVs. Méhes et al 18 report a significantly higher frequency of microcephaly in children with leukaemia; however, this finding was not confirmed in our study, and neither was the tall stature reported by Merks et al 22 Although they were not observed in the previous studies, 16,18 we highlight the presence of narrow ears and wide-spaced nipples observed in the physical examination and confirmed anthopometrically in our study (Tables 3 and 4), since they may constitute reproducible elements for consideration as further candidate signs associated with ALL.…”

Frederik Ruysch (1638–1731): Historical perspective and contemporary analysis of his teratological legacy

“…The differential diagnosis therefore ranges from bifid rib conditions, either isolated or syndromic (e.g., Gorlin–Goltz syndrome), to fused ribs as part of meristic or homeotic segmentation defects of the axial skeleton. If the latter were the case, the cachectic fever that Ruysch mentioned, could be the expression of an end‐stage childhood malignancy, which are known to co‐occur frequently with abnormal rib counts [Schumacher et al, 1992; Merks et al, 2005; Loder et al, 2007]. A comparable description is found in the auction catalogue of the second collection, regarding the 144th specimen in the fourth section of the ninth cabinet [Anonymous, 1731].…”

Prevalence of C7 level anomalies at the C7 level: an important landmark for cervical nerve ultrasonography

“…Environmental factors, such as air pollutants or dietary changes, may lead to genetic mutations that can result in spinal column malformations, including anomalies at cervical transverse processes. This possibility is supported by studies showing cervical ribs to be more common in a young population with chromosomal abnormalities (16). Studies in mice have demonstrated that abnormalities in homeobox genes result in a specific skeletal abnormality that is similar to cervical ribs (17).…”