A CASE REPORT OF MARFAN’S SYNDROME AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

A case of Marfan syndrome

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Marfan’s syndrome is an autosomal dominant, 
multisystemic disorder of the connective tissue with variable 
inheritance patterns. Its cardinal features affect mostly the 
cardiovascular, ocular and skeletal systems. It is panethnic with no 
sex predilection and may be diagnosed prenatally, at birth, 
childhood or well into adulthood.  
OBJECTIVE: This article aimed at enlightening dental 
professionals on the presentation and early recognition of patients 
with Marfan’s syndrome. 
CASE REPORT: An 11-year old female previously undiagnosed of 
any syndrome, presented to the dental clinic with a resolving dental 
abscess on tooth 26 and dental caries of 16, 36 and 46. She showed 
features of skeletal disproportion, arachnodactyly (long slender 
fingers with prominent finger joints), flat feet and pectus carinatum 
(pidgeon chest). Facial examination revealed a convex profile and 
elongated face, there was no dental crowding. Her dental abscess 
was managed by extraction with antibiotic cover while other 
carious lesions were restored. She was then referred to an 
ophthalmologist and a cardiologist for further examinations and 
investigations, which revealed she had features of Marfan 
syndrome. 

CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates the early 
recognition of signs and symptoms of this syndrome and the 
referral of the patient to other professionals for management to 
prevent severe life threatening complications associated with the 
syndrome.