Camurati Engelmann disease- type 2

Overview

Camurati-Engelmann Disease (CED) is a form of dysplasia and a very rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder that causes characteristic anomalies in the skeleton. Patients typically have heavily-thickened bones, especially along the shafts of the long bones (called diaphyseal dysplasia). The skull bones may be thickened so that the passages through the skull that carry nerves and blood vessels become narrowed, sometimes leading to sensory deficits such as blindness, or deafness.

Symptoms

Major symptoms may include bone pain, particularly in the legs; skeletal abnormalities; and/or weakness and underdevelopment (hypoplasia) of various muscles. Pain and weakness of the leg muscles may result in an unusual "waddling" walk (gait). Camurati-Engelmann disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of CED is based on physical examination and radiographic findings and can be confirmed by molecular genetic testing. Bone and muscle histology are nonspecific. TGFB1 is the only gene known to be associated with CED. Sequence analysis identifies mutations in TGFB1 in about 90% of affected individuals and is clinically available.

Treatment

Treatment of CED includes corticosteroids and losartan. Pain is managed with analgesics and non-pharmacologic methods. Bilateral myringotomy can improve conductive hearing loss resulting from serous otitis. Following initiation of corticosteroid treatment, blood pressure should be monitored monthly; when maintenance steroid dose is achieved, yearly evaluation includes complete neurologic examination, CBC count, blood pressure, and hearing screen.