Case Report

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome: incidental finding on routine ct scan following car accident

Christina Kalogeropoulou¹ , Petros Zampakis¹ , Santra Kazantzi¹ , Pantelis Kraniotis¹ and Nicholas S Mastronikolis²

¹  Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, 26500, Greece

²  Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, 26500, Greece

author email corresponding author email

Cases Journal 2009, 2:9087doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-9087

Published:	25 November 2009

Abstract

Introduction

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome is a rare hereditary disease. Pathogenesis of the syndrome is attributed to abnormalities in the long arm of chromosome 9 (q22.3-q31) and loss or mutations of human patched gene (PTCH1 gene). Multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), odontogenic keratocysts, skeletal abnormalities, hyperkeratosis of palms and soles, intracranial ectopic calcifications of the falx cerebri and facial dysmorphism are considered the main clinical features. Diagnosis is based upon established major and minor clinical and radiological criteria and ideally confirmed by DNA analysis. Because of the different systems affected, a multidisciplinary approach team of various experts is required for a successful management.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 19 year-old female who was involved in a car accident and found to present imaging findings of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome during a routine whole body computed tomography (CT) scan in order to exclude traumatic injuries.

Conclusion

Radiologic findings of the syndrome are easily identifiable on CT scans and may prompt to early verification of the disease, which is very important for regular follow-up and better survival rates from the co-existent diseases.