Chromosomal microdeletion and microduplication syndromes are common genetic diseases.Technologies including fluorescence in situ hybridization , chromosomal microarray , real-time PCR, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and high-throughput sequencing have been used to detect these diseases . The advantages and limitations of these technologies as well as their clinical applications in the detection of chromosomal microdeletion and microduplication syndromes are analyzed . (Chin J Lab Med, 2016, 39:407-409 )