Thiemann disease and familial digital arthropathy – brachydactyly: two sides of the same coin?

Thiemann disease (OMIM 165700) is a rare deforming interphalangeal joint arthropathy of the fingers and toes. First described in 1909, Thiemann reported a 16-year-old male carpenter with painful and progressive proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint enlargement. There was no family history suggestive of an inherited condition [1]. Subsequently, thirty-two cases of similar hand and foot epiphyseal abnormalities have been reported [2, 3]. Thiemann disease is believed to be autosomal dominant, demonstrating strong penetrance. No causative gene mutation has been identified to date [4, 5]. The classical radiological features described include irregularity, flattening, fragmentation, and broadening of the basal phalangeal epiphyses, followed by joint space narrowing, premature physeal fusion, and phalangeal shortening [6]. The proposed clinical criterion by Handa et al., also include onset before the age of twenty-five, PIP joint swelling and the absence of elevated inflammatory markers [7].

Familial digital arthropathy-brachydactyly (FDAB, OMIM 606835) is an autosomal dominant digital arthropathy first described in 2002 [8]. To date, only two groups have reported affected patients [8‐10]. FDAB presents in the first decade as a deforming arthropathy of the interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal, and metatarsophalangeal joints. There is associated progressive brachydactyly of the middle and distal phalanges of the hands and feet. In 2011, Lamande et al., identified three different heterozygous missense variants in the Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) gene associated with FDAB. All three variants were shown to reduce TRPV4 channel activity [9, 11].

Here, we describe a father and son referred with a diagnosis of Thiemann disease whom were subsequently identified with a pathogenic TRPV4 variant. We review the literature on Thiemann disease and FDAB to show the phenotypic overlap. Based on our observations, we suggest that all individuals presenting with a Thiemann like phenotype undergo TRPV4 mutational analysis to clarify the genetic etiology of their condition.

Patient (I) is a 15-year-old male who reported a two-year history of non-painful “crooked” fingers in the absence of trauma. His past medical history was significant for possible Raynaud phenomenon but otherwise noncontributory. On physical examination, his growth parameters were age appropriate. There was radial deviation of the second, third, fourth and fifth terminal phalanges bilaterally. There was asymmetrical involvement of the hands; the third phalanges were most affected and the right-hand digits were more severely affected than the left (Fig. 2, a1). His total hand length was 18 cm (50–75%) and middle finger length was 8 cm (75%). Other joints including those in the feet were normal on examination. His peripheral neurological examination was unremarkable.

Laboratory investigations (white blood cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, anti-nuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, anti-double stranded DNA antibodies, anti-SM antibodies, anti-RNP antibodies, anti-SS-A (RO) antibodies and anti-SS-B (La) antibody) were normal or negative.

Patient (II) is 50 years old and the father of Patient (I). He reported progressive finger joint deformities from the age of 10. He was seen in the Orthopaedic clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children 15 years ago, and a diagnosis of Thiemann disease was considered. He has not required any treatment apart from analgesics for pain. He has also been diagnosed with gout, which occasionally affects his hands and feet. He has mild psoriasis. On examination, he is of above average stature. He had symmetrical hand changes. He had a fixed flexion deformity of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints, which were also prominent and radially deviated. His proximal interphalangeal joints were prominent and the range of movement limited. He also had prominent metatarso-phalangeal joints without any limitation to active movement. No other joints were clinically involved. His peripheral neurological examination was unremarkable. There were no deficits in power, sensation or position sense.

An autosomal dominant inheritance was suspected based on the observation of male to male transmission. A Next Generation skeletal dysplasia gene panel (The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto) identified a heterozygous pathogenic variant (c.809G > T) in the TRPV4 gene in patient (I) and patient (II). This variant has previously been reported in a patient with familial digital arthropathy-brachydactyly [9].

To date, three families affected by FDAB have been reported and 33 cases of Thiemann disease identified. We were able to review 20 cases of Thiemann disease [see Additional file 1: Table S1]. In 5/20 Thiemann cases, the clinical and radiological descriptions fit well with FDAB ((Miric et al. (1971) (I and II), Ernest et al. (1954), Van der Laan et al. (1986), and Jawdat et al. (2005)) [2, 12‐14]. The clinical and radiological features of Thiemann disease and FDAB are summarized in Table 1.

Thiemann disease represents a progressive hand and foot arthropathy with variable expressivity and an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance [1]. Curiously, a few mildly affected individuals who made a complete recovery with no lasting signs of arthritis have been described [14, 15]. Thiemann disease may present as early as age 4 years but is more commonly diagnosed in the early teen years [6]. In a typical case, an affected individual reports relatively painless swelling of the proximal interphalangeal joints or an inability to use the digit [3, 6, 11, 14]. Proximal interphalangeal joint involvement, and to a lesser extent, involvement of the first metatarsophalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints is well described [1, 3, 10‐13]. Mild shortening of the phalanges is also commonly reported [4]. On the other hand, FDAB is a more aggressive arthropathy developing in the first decade of life. Unlike Thiemann disease, the interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints are all typically affected and joint pain is a significant feature. Similar to Thiemann disease, the thumb is frequently spared and the hands more involved than the feet. In both entities, the remainder of the skeleton is clinically and radiographically unaffected [9]. We found the formulated radiological criteria suggested by Melo-Gomes et al. and the revised tentative radiological criteria by Van der Laan et al. for Thiemann disease no more sensitive in eliminating the possibility of FDAB.

The underlying pathological processes in Thiemann disease and FDAB are believed to be different. Thiemann disease is classified as a juvenile osteochondritis similar to Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease and Scheuermann disease [12]. Pathological analysis is only available from a single case where the finger joint showed varying degrees of epiphyseal cartilage necrosis without an inflammatory response [5]. FDAB is hypothesized to result from an arrest of bone growth or bone resorption at the joint subchondral region. Since the earliest observed changes are the deformed and flattened proximal articular surfaces with intact distal articular surfaces and joint spaces, Amor et al. 2011 hypothesized that brachydactyly is secondary to the joint disease in FDAB [8]. We note however, the TRPV4 mutation described in this report, which has previously been described to cause FDAB, was not associated with brachydactyly. We also believe the epiphyseal changes affecting the middle phalanges of patient (II) could represent avascular necrosis of the radial aspect of the phalangeal condyles. Upon collapse of the condyles, the distal interphalangeal joints would manifest a radial deviation.

Based on the data presented here, we believe that localization of the initial most affected joint helps in discriminating between the two entities. In Thiemann disease, the proximal interphalangeal joints are first affected. FDAB starts in the most distal hand joints, progressively involving the proximal interphalangeal joints and eventually, the metaphalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints. As the disease progresses, the distal interphalangeal joints develop radiological deformities and restricted movement compared to the proximal interphalangeal joints. Radial deviation of the phalanges is documented in FDAB, but has not been reported in Thiemann disease [12]. More joints are affected in FDAB and pain seems to be a more striking component of the phenotype.

Familial Thiemann disease shows an equal sex distribution, while sporadic cases demonstrate a two-third’s male predominance [6]. No specific radiological differences exist between these two groups of patients and the genetic cause of Thiemann disease is thus far unknown. In the family we describe, a TRPV4 variant previously reported to cause FDAB was identified. To date, only three different TRPV4 variant causing FDAB has been reported. TRPV4 forms a Ca2 + −permeable cation channel that is stimulated by heat and mechanical stress. All reported FDAB mutations to date are fully penetrant and affect the third finger of the TRPV4 intracellular ankyrin-repeat domain resulting in a reduction of channel activity and impairment of cartilage hemostasis [9, 11]. Gain-of-function TRPV4 variants are associated with other phenotypes varying from severe skeletal dysplasias to peripheral neuropathies (Fig. 2). Recently, a novel gain of function TRPV4 variant was associated with inherited osteonecrosis of the femoral head [18].

FDAB and Thiemann disease are non-inflammatory digital arthropathies presenting in the first two decades of life with many phenotypic similarities. Neither condition seems to affect other joints. TRPV4 variants cause FDAB while the familial nature of Thiemann disease is consistent with a genetic etiology. Our report describing a TRPV4 variant in a father and son referred with a diagnosis of Thiemann disease suggests the historical accounts of these two different phenotypes may be inaccurate in some instances, and that they may be different manifestations of the same disease. Although more extensive joint involvement, a distal hand joint preponderance and brachydactyly are expected in FDAB, there are striking radiological similarities between the two entities. Despite many attempts to identify other affected patients, we were unfortunately unable to procure DNA from any of the previously reported cases to verify our findings. Genetic testing of an affected individual will be crucial in order to provide accurate reproductive genetic counselling about the autosomal dominant nature of this condition.