Combined tarsal and carpal tunnel syndrome in mucolipidosis type III. A case study and review

Abstract

Mucolipidosis type III (MLIII) (MIM# 252600) is an uncommon autosomal recessive disorder that results from uridine 5'-diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine: lysosomal hydrolase N-acetyl-1-phosphotransferase or UDP-GlcNAc 1-phosphotransferase deficiency. Clinical manifestations include developmental delay, short stature and other structural abnormalities. Less common clinical features, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, claw hand deformities, trigger fingers, and claw toes have previously been reported, but no specific association with tarsal tunnel syndrome has been reported in the literature. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused by entrapment of the posterior tibialis nerve in the tunnel formed by the medial malleolus of the ankle and the flexor retinaculum. It causes pain in the heel and sole of the foot as well as abnormal sensation in the distribution area of nervus tibialis posterior. In adults, the most common cause described is a ganglion. The phenomenon is rare in children and the published series are small. This case report portrays the presentation of a young girl with breath-holding spells secondary to painful bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome and trigger fingers subsequently diagnosed with MLIII.