Morquio syndrome (in older literature it is sometimes called Morquio-Brailsford syndrome) is an autosomal recessive mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type IV.

Epidemiology

Incidence is estimated at ~1:40,000.

Clinical presentation

Many cases present at ~2 years of age and have normal intelligence. Clinical features:

• severe dwarfism (<4 foot)

• joint laxity

• corneal opacification/clouding

• lymphadenopathy

• progressive deafness

• spinal kyphoscoliosis

• prominent mandible and lower face 

• short neck

Pathology

It results from an excess of keratan sulphate due to a deficit in its degradation pathway. Keratan sulphate accumulates in various tissues inclusive of cartilage, the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs and corneas.

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph / CT

Axial manifestations

• platyspondyly

• hypoplasia of odontoid peg

• atlantoaxial subluxation

• os odontoideum

• anterior central vertebral body beaking

• posterior vertebral body scalloping

• round vertebral bodies 

• coxa valga

• goblet shaped flared iliac wings, increased acetabular angles and constricted iliac bone base

Calvarial manifestations

• hypertelorism

• dolichocephaly

Peripheral musculoskeletal manifestations

• short and wide tubular bones

• metaphyseal flaring in long bones

• multiple epiphyseal centers

• wide metacarpals with proximal pointing of index to little finger

• irregular carpal bones 

• flattened proximal femoral epiphyses; risk of lateral subluxation and dislocation

• coxa valga

• genu valgum

Thoracic manifestations

• anterior sternal bowing, increased AP chest diameter, wide ribs

Ultrasound

Echocardiography

• late-onset aortic regurgitation

Treatment and prognosis

Life expectancy ranges between 30-40 years. The most common cause of death is cervical myelopathy from C2 abnormality. Patients are also particularly vulnerable to respiratory infection.

History and etymology

Named after Luis Morquio, an Uruguayan pediatrician (1867-1935) published his first case in 1929 ⁵. James Brailsford (1889-1961) ⁶ a renowned British radiologist made an important contribution to the understanding of the radiographic appearances of this condition, and also published his first case in 1929, independently of Morquio ⁸.