Phocomelia is a condition that involves malformations of human arms and legs. Although many factors can cause phocomelia, the prominent roots come from the use of the drug thalidomide and from genetic inheritance. Occurrence in an individual results in various abnormalities to the face, limbs, ears, nose, vessels and many other underdevelopments. Although operations may improve some abnormalities, many are not surgically treatable due to the lack of nerves and other related structures. The term is from Ancient Greek φώκη phōkē, "seal (animal)" + -o- interfix + μέλος melos, "limb" + English suffix -ia). Phocomelia is an extremely rare congenital disorder involving malformation of the limbs (dysmelia). Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire coined the term in 1836. Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of phocomelia syndrome are undeveloped limbs and absent pelvic bones; however, various abnormalities can occur to the limbs and bones. Usually the upper limbs are not fully formed and sections of the "hands and arms may be missing." Short arm bones, fused fingers, and missing thumbs will often occur. Sometimes hands or fingers will be present but limp due to having no bones or being loosely attached. Legs and feet are also affected similarly to the arms and hands. Individuals with phocomelia will often lack thigh bones, and the hands or feet may be abnormally small or appear as stumps due to their close "attachment to the body. "According to National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), individuals carrying phocomelia syndrome will generally show symptoms of growth retardation previous to and after birth.
Retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukocencephalopathy and systemic manifestations (RVCL or RVCL-S, also previously known as retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukodystrophy, RVCL; or cerebroretinal vasculopathy, CRV; or hereditary vascular retinopathy, HVR; or hereditary endotheliopathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, and stroke, HERNS) is an inherited condition resulting from a frameshift mutation in the C-terminal region of the TREX1 gene. This disease affects  small blood vessels, leading to damage of multiple organs including but not limited to the retina and the white matter of the central nervous system. Patients with RVCL develop vision loss, brain lesions, strokes, brain atrophy, and dementia. Patients with RVCL also exhibit other organ involvement, including kidney, liver, gastrointestinal tract, thyroid, and bone disease. Symptoms of RVCL commonly begin between ages 40 and 50, although sometimes disease onset occurs earlier or later. The overall prognosis is poor, and death can sometimes occur within 5 or 10 years of the first symptoms appearing, although patients sometimes live about 20 years after initial symptoms. Clinical trials are underway, as are efforts to develop personalized medicines for patients with RVCL. Presentation
For most patients, disease onset is between ages 35 and 55. Earliest onset is usually not before age 35. Late onset is usually not after age 55. RVCL affects multiple organs. All patients develop brain and eye disease, leading to disability, vision loss, and premature death. All patients with RVCL develop kidney and liver disease, with elevated alkaline phosphatase. Some patients develop bone lesions (osteonecrosis) as well as hypothyroidism. Sometimes patients also develop gastrointestinal symptoms or bleeding.