Familial facial dysplasia

Familial hemifacial microsomia due to autosomal dominant inheritance. Case reports

Hemifacial microsomia is a rare dentofacial anomaly which is regarded as a separate entity to Goldenhar syndrome and primarily affects the structures of the first branchial arch. It has a heterogeneous aetiology and tends to occur sporadically, though positive family histories have been reported. This paper reports on individuals in two generations of a family that has overlapping features of hemifacial microsomia and Goldenhar syndrome segregating as an autosomal dominant condition.

Congenital craniofacial anomalies of ophthalmic importance

Congenital craniofacial abnormalities frequently require ophthalmic evaluation and surgical management. Called upon to perform as part of the craniofacial team managing the often severely deformed craniofacial patient, the ophthalmologist must bring a basic knowledge of craniofacial syndromes and developmental anatomy, as well as clinical acumen to help preserve or improve ocular and adnexal function. As an introduction to this area of ophthalmology, the clinical features, classification, appropriate facial embryology, assessment and surgical considerations of the various congenital craniofacial abnormalities are reviewed. The expanding availability of craniofacial surgeons and surgical teams along with improved surgical results will ultimately require an increasing involvement by many more ophthalmologists in the evaluation and management of these congenital abnormalities.

Ocular choristomas

Choristomas are congenital lesions representing normal tissue(s) in an abnormal location. They are the most common epibulbar and orbital tumors in children. Epibulbar choristomas affect the cornea, limbus or subconjunctival space, and range in appearance from a small, flat lesion to a large mass filling most of the epibulbar region. Astigmatism is often present. Choristomas may be associated with coloboma, Goldenhar syndrome or epidermal nevus syndromes; those associated with the latter are often bilateral and extensive. Choristomas are occasionally familial. Surgery may be indicated to improve vision or cosmesis, or to impede growth. Although choristomas most commonly involve the epibulbar area, they can affect many areas of the eye and orbit, and often affect more than one area.

Oculoauriculovertebral anomaly: variability and causal heterogeneity

The oculoauriculovertebral anomaly is a complex developmental field defect. There is lack of agreement on the minimal diagnostic criteria and the phenotypic spectrum. Causal heterogeneity has been described. This report reviews aspects of phenotypic variability and causal heterogeneity and discusses current understanding of the defect.

Oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia and variants: phenotypic characteristics of 294 patients

Here we describe the phenotypic characteristics of a single craniofacial clinic population of 294 individuals affected with oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia (OAV) and variants. To our knowledge, this is the largest population so described in the literature. The study population was divided into five subgroups based on the presence of combinations of minimal diagnostic criteria: microtia, mandibular hypoplasia, anomalies of the cervical spine and/or epibulbar or lipodermoids. The following data were recorded: sex (M:F 191:103); race (78% Caucasian); the presence of unilateral or bilateral microtia (193 unilateral, 98 bilateral); the presence of symmetric microtia in bilateral cases (34/98); the presence of mandibular hypoplasia ipsilateral or contralateral to the microtic ear or most severely microtic ear in bilateral cases (135/137 were ipsilateral in unilateral cases, 55/62 were ipsilateral in bilateral cases); the number of individuals with no other congenital anomaly in addition to the minimal diagnostic criteria (154/294), with only one other congenital anomaly (51/294), and with two or more other congenital anomalies (89/294); and the type of other congenital anomalies. Finally, we compared our results with other studies. Findings from our study include: mandibular asymmetry should be expected in patients with unilateral or bilateral microtia; bilateral involvement is frequent in patients with microtia; other malformations are seen frequently in all subgroups; anomalies of the cervical spine are more likely to be associated with other anomalies; and other malformations are seen in all systems and should be searched for to provide optimal management.

Hemifacial microsomia, ipsilateral facial palsy, and malformed auricle in two families: an autosomal dominant malformation

Hemifacial microsomia, ipsilateral facial palsy and anomalies of the auricle were observed in father and son in two families. This combination of anomalies is a causally heterogeneous developmental field defect which may occur rarely as an autosomal dominant trait.

Classification and treatment of hemifacial microsomia

On the basis of 37 surgically treated patients with hemifacial microsomia, an anatomical-surgical classification was developed which divides these patients into five categories to facilitate surgical planning and help standardize treatment. Treatment was founded on the cooperation of a large craniofacial team. Osteotomies of the jaws, construction of the TM joint with costochondral grafts, onlay bone grafts, and genioplasty were performed to improve facial form and function. Facial scars were avoided. After three-dimensional skeletal alignment, there was rarely a compelling need for subsequent soft tissue augmentation.

Retinal and optic nerve findings in Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome

Involvement of the posterior segment of the eye in Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome is more common than is generally appreciated. We examined seven patients with this syndrome. Abnormalities included diminished visual acuity, tilted optic disc, optic nerve hypoplasia, tortuous retinal vessels, macular hypoplasia and heterotopia, microphthalmia and anophthalmia. In one case, pathologic study showed agenesis of the optic nerve. It is proposed that retinal, optic nerve and craniofacial abnormalities in this condition may reflect an asynchrony in the migration of the neural crest cells in the early stages of embryonal development.

Anophthalmia and agenesis of columnella, prolabium and premaxilla without hypotelorism-a new syndrome? Case reports

Three patients with a syndrome consisting of anophthalmia, midline upper lip pseudocleft with absent columnella, prolabium and premaxilla, but without hypo- or hypertelorism are presented, together with three borderline cases with an- or microphthalmia and lacking distal half of the nose or cleft lip and palate. The pathogenesis and relations to other facial anomalies are discussed.