Marfanoid Explained

Marfanoid (or Marfanoid habitus) is a constellation of signs resembling those of Marfan syndrome, including long limbs, with an arm span that is at least 1.03 of the height of the individual, and a crowded oral maxilla, sometimes with a high arch in the palate, arachnodactyly, and hyperlaxity.__TOC__

Signs and symptoms

Arachnodactyly (long fingers), long limbs, scoliosis (curved spine), a hidden feature of bony lip growth towards vestibular aqueduct (which can be seen in CT scan reports), and imprecise articulation of speech due to high-arched palate are all considered Marfanoid symptoms. Language and cognition can be affected in neonatal Marfan syndrome where intellectual disability exists. Hearing may be impaired, either by conductive loss due to hypermobility of ossicles, by inflamed tympanic membrane, or sensorineurally through the vestibular aqueduct. In cases with hearing impairment, giddiness and imbalance may co-occur. Other symptoms include crowding of teeth and long or flat feet, often with hammer toes.

Associated conditions

Marfanoid habitus is a constellation of symptoms which are generally associated with other syndromes such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Perrault syndrome and Stickler syndrome. Associated conditions include:

Diagnosis

Medical diagnostic criteria to differentiate Marfanoid habitus from Marfan syndrome:

Marfanoid habitus Marfan syndrome
Arm span to height ratio>1.03>1.05
Scoliosis >5°>20°

Notes and References

  1. Prabhu M, Khouzam RN, Insel J . 27428744 . Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndrome presenting with bowel obstruction caused by intestinal neuroma: case report . South. Med. J. . 97 . 11 . 1130–2 . November 2004 . 15586612 . 10.1097/01.SMJ.0000140873.29381.12.
  2. Wray CJ, Rich TA, Waguespack SG, Lee JE, Perrier ND, Evans DB . 2564555 . Failure to recognize multiple endocrine neoplasia 2B: more common than we think? . Ann. Surg. Oncol. . 15 . 1 . 293–301 . January 2008 . 17963006 . 10.1245/s10434-007-9665-4.
  3. Pagon . RA. . Bird . TC. . Dolan . CR. . Stephens . K. . Picker . JD. . Levy . HL. . Homocystinuria Caused by Cystathionine Beta-Synthase Deficiency . 1993. 20301697 .
  4. Yeowell HN, Steinmann B. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Kyphoscoliotic Form. 2000 Feb 2 [Updated 2013 Jan 24]. In: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Bird TD, et al., editors. GeneReviews™ [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2014. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1462/