Clinical Description
To date, more than 100 individuals with a pathogenic variant(s) in FLNB have been identified [Daniel et al 2012, Salian et al 2018, Stenson et al 2020]. The following description of the phenotypic features associated with FLNB conditions is based on these reports.
Spondylocarpotarsal Synostosis (SCT) Syndrome
Individuals with SCT syndrome have normal or near-normal birth length; however, progressive vertebral fusion results in poor growth of the trunk and short stature becomes evident postnatally. Stature is typically 3-6 SD below the mean.
Scoliosis is common, but variable in severity and time of onset because of the extent and pattern of vertebral fusion. Some authors have observed deformity at birth, although the phenotype may only become evident later in childhood. The irregular nature of the vertebral anomalies can also give rise to other complications such as cervical spine instability [Seaver & Boyd 2000] and basilar impression.
Clubfeet, pes planus, and cleft palate have been described in a small number of individuals with SCT syndrome. Some authors have reported mild craniofacial dysmorphism as part of this condition but the majority of individuals with SCT syndrome do not exhibit these features.
SCT syndrome has been associated with retinal anomalies [Steiner et al 2000] and sensorineural deafness [Langer et al 1994, Coêlho et al 1998]. The cataracts and retinal abnormalities described in one family with SCT syndrome were not severe enough to impair vision [Steiner et al 2000] and have not been observed in subsequently described individuals and so may not represent primary manifestations of the condition.
Dental enamel hypoplasia has been reported in at least two unrelated instances [Mitter et al 2008].
Intelligence is normal.
Larsen Syndrome
Larsen syndrome is compatible with survival into adulthood [Bicknell et al 2007]. Intelligence is normal.
Intrafamilial variation in Larsen syndrome can be remarkable. In a large family segregating one of the recurring pathogenic variants leading to Larsen syndrome, some individuals had cleft palate and multiple large joint dislocations, whereas others who had no major anomalies had short stature and very mild clinical and radiographic features, such as short distal phalanges and supernumerary carpal and tarsal bones [Bicknell et al 2007]. Clinical variability can also result from the presence of somatic mosaicism for a causative pathogenic variant in a mildly affected parent and the presence of a germline pathogenic variant in more severely affected offspring.
In their study of 20 unrelated families with a total of 52 affected individuals, Bicknell et al [2007] determined that all probands had dislocations or subluxations of the large joints (80% hip, 80% knee, and 65% elbow). The most mildly affected proband had subluxation of the shoulders as her only large joint manifestation. Clubfoot was present in 75% of affected individuals.
Stature is mildly affected. In 14 of 20 probands height was below the tenth centile; height was rarely below the first centile and in one individual was above the 97th centile [Bicknell et al 2007].
Spinal abnormalities were observed on x-rays in 16 (84%) of 19 probands. Cervical kyphosis was noted in 50%, usually from subluxation or fusion of the bodies of C2, C3, and C4, which was commonly associated with posterior vertebral arch dysraphism (i.e., dysplasia of the vertebral laminae and hypoplasia of the lateral processes of all cervical vertebrae). Individuals with Larsen syndrome and cervical spine dysplasia are at significant risk for cervical cord myelopathy and secondary tetraparesis [Bicknell et al 2007]. The incidence of myelopathy is at least 15%. Evidence suggests that preemptive posterior stabilization of the cervical spine in individuals with Larsen syndrome with cervical spine dysplasia may prevent this complication and that combined anterior and posterior stabilization can lead to clinical improvement in individuals with evidence of myelopathy [Sakaura et al 2007].
Craniofacial anomalies are found in all individuals with FLNB Larsen syndrome. These include a prominent forehead, depressed nasal bridge, malar flattening, and widely spaced eyes. Cleft palate occurs in 15% of affected individuals.
Deafness is common [Herrmann et al 1981, Stanley et al 1988, Maack & Muntz 1991]. Conductive deafness, often with malformation of the ossicles of the middle ear, was observed in four (21%) of 19 probands [Bicknell et al 2007].
Although laryngotracheomalacia has been reported in association with Larsen syndrome, few individuals with Larsen syndrome and a documented FLNB pathogenic variant are severely affected.
Short, broad, spatulate distal phalanges, particularly of the thumb, are a common (67%; Bicknell et al [2007]) but not invariable manifestation of Larsen syndrome.
Atelosteogenesis Type I (AOI) / Boomerang Dysplasia
On prenatal ultrasound examination, the findings of boomerang dysplasia and AOI consist of thoracic hypoplasia and limb shortening with delayed or absent ossification of vertebral and appendicular elements. Joint dislocations may be evident. Definitive diagnosis by ultrasound examination alone is possible [Tsutsumi et al 2012]. Polyhydramnios can complicate the pregnancy. Neonates with boomerang dysplasia or AOI die soon after birth from cardiorespiratory insufficiency. Occasionally, extraskeletal manifestations including encephalocele and omphalocele are encountered [Bicknell et al 2005].
Atelosteogenesis Type III (AOIII)
The most conspicuous finding of AOIII is joint dislocations. A specific diagnosis of AOIII is seldom possible by prenatal ultrasound examination alone.
Infants with AOIII can survive the neonatal period but may require intensive and invasive support to do so. The infant reported by Schultz et al [1999] had significant problems with respiratory insufficiency as a result of laryngotracheomalacia and thoracic hypoplasia. Her mother, who was intellectually normal, had similar but milder respiratory problems in the neonatal period. The manifestations of AOIII overlap with those of Larsen syndrome: large joint dislocations, club feet, short stature, and spinal anomalies. The observation of a distally tapering humerus on x-ray is indicative of AOIII, and of a stronger likelihood of significant laryngotracheobronchomalacia, the major differentiating feature between these two diagnoses.
Infants with AOIII have been born to parents with milder phenotypes (similar to Larsen syndrome). In these instances, the parents probably have a mild phenotype associated with somatic mosaicism, whereas their offspring with a non-mosaic germline pathogenic variant have a severe phenotype.
Neurodevelopment is mildy affected in some long-term survivors with AOIII [Schultz et al 1999], although the authors assumed this to be a secondary consequence of orthopedic and respiratory complications of the primary disorder.
Piepkorn Osteochondrodysplasia (POCD)
POCD is a form of perinatal-lethal micromelic dwarfism described in fewer than five individuals in the literature. The condition is characterized by flipper-like limbs, a characteristic form of polysyndactyly with complete syndactyly of all fingers and toes. The thumbs and halluces are either hypoplastic or absent. The intermediate and distal phalanges of all fingers are duplicated, resulting in distal octodactyly. Craniofacial features include macrobrachycephaly, prominant forehead, hypertelorism, and exophthalmos. Occasional features include cleft palate, omphalocele, cardiac anomalies, and genitourinary defects including sex reversal. The radiographic features of POCD at mid-gestation are characteristic: absent ossification of all long bones, vertebrae, pelvis, metacarpals, and metatarsals. Some ossification of the pubic bones, pedicles, ribs, scapulae, skull, and clavicles can be observed.
Genotype-Phenotype Correlations
SCT syndrome. Homozygosity or compound heterozygosity for pathogenic frameshift or nonsense variants in FLNB causes SCT syndrome [Krakow et al 2004]. Pathogenic variants associated with SCT syndrome are associated with loss of protein expression and hence constitute true null alleles [Farrington-Rock et al 2006].
Larsen syndrome, AOI, and AOIII. The pathogenic variants associated with Larsen syndrome, AOI, and AOIII are either missense variants or small in-frame deletions and are predicted to encode full-length filamin B protein.
In some instances the same pathogenic variant is associated with different phenotypes (e.g., c.502G>A (p.Gly168Ser) is associated with both AOI and AOIII).
Recurrent pathogenic variants:
Peipkorn dysplasia. Three individuals with Peipkorn dysplasia have had pathogenic variants in exons 28 and 29.
Mosaicism
Clinical evidence suggests that somatic mosaicism can complicate the presentation of these conditions [Petrella et al 1993, Bicknell et al 2007, Bernkopf et al 2017]. Most notably, somatic mosaicism for an FLNB pathogenic variant can be associated with Larsen syndrome, whereas the same pathogenic variant in the germline state can be associated with AOIII.
Nomenclature
Larsen syndrome. Some authors described what appeared to be autosomal recessive Larsen syndrome [Clayton-Smith & Donnai 1988, Bonaventure et al 1992, Laville et al 1994, Yamaguchi et al 1996]. Some of these families had sib recurrence of Larsen syndrome as a result of germline mosaicism in an unaffected parent [Petrella et al 1993].
In contrast, other recessive disorders with multiple joint dislocations called Larsen syndrome in the past but not sharing other clinical characteristics of Larsen syndrome are best not referred to as Larsen syndrome [Topley et al 1994]. These conditions include a variety of chondrodysplasias with multiple joint dislocations and include: the "Reunion Island form of Larsen syndrome" [Bonaventure et al 1992, Laville et al 1994], which is clinically and radiographically distinct from FLNB Larsen syndrome and caused by pathogenic variants in B4GALT7 [Cartault et al 2015]; CHST3-type chondrodysplasia; and two different forms of Desbuquois dysplasia caused by pathogenic variants in CANT1 and XYLT1.
Atelosteogenesis types I and III were so named because the major manifestation is disordered and incomplete ossification of the skeleton [Maroteaux et al 1982, Sillence et al 1982, Stern et al 1990].
Note: Atelosteogenesis type II, one of the sulfate transporter-related osteochondrodysplasias caused by pathogenic variants in SLC26A2 (DTDST), is genetically distinct from AOI and AOIII.
Piepkorn osteochondrodysplasia, although formerly considered to be the same as boomerang dysplasia, has been readdressed by Rehder et al [2018]. A case series of four indicates that a phenotype distinct from boomerang dysplasia and AOI constituting flipper-like limbs, a characteristic form of synpolydactyly, and completely absent ossification of many skeletal elements at mid-gestation defines this entity, a suggestion that is supported by a different distribution of pathogenic variants compared to those underlying boomerang dysplasia and AOI.