| Poland syndrome | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | Q79.8 |
| ICD-9 | 756.89 |
| OMIM | 173800 |
| DiseasesDB | 31679 |
| eMedicine | plastic/132 |
| MeSH | D011045 |
Poland syndrome (also Poland's syndrome, Poland's syndactyly, Poland sequence,[1] and Poland's anomaly) is a rare birth defect characterized by underdevelopment or absence of the chest muscle (pectoralis) on one side of the body and (but not always) webbing of the fingers (cutaneous syndactyly) of the hand on the same side (ipsilateral hand) mostly common on the right side of body and found more in males than females.
It is usually considered a unilateral condition. Some have claimed that the term can be applied in bilateral presentation,[2] but others recommend using alternate terminology in those cases.[3]
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It was first named in 1962 by Patrick Clarkson, a New Zealand born, British plastic surgeon working at Guy's Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital, London. He noticed that three of his patients had both a hand deformity and an underdeveloped breast on the same side. He discussed this with his colleague at Guy's Hospital, Dr Philip Evans, who agreed that the syndrome was "not widely appreciated". Clarkson found a reference to a similar deformity published by Alfred Poland, over a hundred years earlier in Guy's Hospital reports, in 1841.[4] Clarkson was able to find the hand specimen dissected by Poland, which was still held in the hospital pathology museum. Poland had dissected a convict called George Elt, who was said to be unable to draw his hand across his chest. Poland noted the chest wall deformity, and this was illustrated in his article; the hand was also dissected and preserved for posterity in Guy's Hospital museum where it remains today. It cannot be truly said that Poland described this syndrome because he only described one isolated case. Clarkson published his series of three cases and named the syndrome after Poland in his article.[5]
According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, Poland syndrome affects males three times as often as females and affects the right side of the body twice as often as the left.[6] The incidence is estimated to range from one in 7,000 to one in 100,000 live births.[7]
The cause of Poland syndrome is unknown. However, an interruption of the embryonic blood supply to the arteries that lie under the collarbone (subclavian arteries) at about the 46th day of embryonic development is the prevailing theory.[8]
British TV presenter Jeremy Beadle (1948–2008) was known for having this condition. His Poland Syndrome manifested itself in the form of his withered right hand.[9]
Olympic boxer Jérôme Thomas is also affected by Poland syndrome as his left arm and hand are significantly shorter and smaller than his right. Thomas also lacks a left pectoral muscle.
PGA Tour golfer Bryce Molder has Poland syndrome with an absent left pectoral muscle and a small left hand. Several surgeries in his childhood repaired syndactly on the left hand.[10]
Very Frequent Signs
Frequent Signs
Occasional Signs
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