Thyroid anomalies in Williams syndrome: investigation of 95 patients.

Thyroid involvement in Williams syndrome (WS) was recently reported in two small groups of patients, both showing an increased prevalence of elevation of TSH serum concentration; in one of the two reports, 70% of the patients demonstrated a hypoplasia of thyroid gland as well. In our institution, we currently follow a large population of WS patients who periodically undergo a multispecialist clinical evaluation that includes ultrasound evaluation of the thyroid gland, and levels of FT3, FT4, TSH, and anti-thyroid antibodies. Here, we report on the prevalence of thyroid structural and functional anomalies, in a population of 95 WS patients, half of them followed for more than 5 years.

Additional case of Tsukahara's syndrome or new syndrome: further delineation of the association of microcephaly and radio-ulnar synostosis.

In 1994, Giuffré et al. reported two unrelated families in which some of the members had microcephaly and radio-ulnar synostosis, suggesting a new condition. Since this first report, Tsukahara et al.

Two new cases of Barraquer-Simons syndrome.

Barraquer-Simons syndrome is a rare form of partial lipodystrophy, mainly characterized by loss of subcutaneous tissue, starting from the face and spreading to the upper part of the body. Occasional functional anomalies such as deafness, epilepsy, and mental retardation can be associated with the condition; nephropathy and myopathy have been observed occasionally. Here we report on two new sporadic cases, who show at the moment only a facial involvement, without any associated anomalies and/or medical complications.