Anoxic-epileptic seizures in Cornelia de Lange syndrome: case report of epileptic seizures induced by obstructive apnea

Cornelia de lange manifestations in otolaryngology: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare genetic disorder. Our goal was to systematically review the literature regarding otolaryngology manifestations of CdLS.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases for original articles of otolaryngology manifestations for patients with CdLS. These articles were analyzed, and pooled prevalence was calculated.

RESULTS

We analyzed 1,310 patients included in 35 case series and 34 case reports. Hearing loss was present for many patients (27 studies), with sensorineural hearing loss affecting 40.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.3-63.4) and conductive affecting 22.7% (95% CI: 5.7-39.7). Recurrent acute otitis media was the most frequent infectious manifestation, with 56.5% (95% CI: 34.1-78.4) in seven studies, followed by recurrent airway infections with 44.1% (95% CI: 11.0-87.1) in five studies. Forty-nine (49.7%) percent of patients (95% CI: 25.9-73.6) in nine studies had dysphagia, and 76.6% (95% CI: 59.8-93.3) in four studies had some degree of dysphonia. Craniofacial anomalies were reported in 30 studies, with micrognathia (53.1%; 95% CI: 34.1-72.1) and high arched palate (70.6%; 95% CI: 56.5-84.8) commonly reported. Additional physical exam abnormalities reported included those involving: lips (76.8%; 95% CI: 65.3-88.4), dentition (65.1%; 95% CI: 27.2-100), mouth (85.5%; 95% CI: 76.2-93.8), and eyelashes (87.1%; 95% CI: 77.2-96.9). Sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea affected 25.8% (95% CI: 11.4-40.2) of patients (7 studies). Airway anomalies were reported in 11 case reports.

CONCLUSION

This is the first comprehensive evaluation of otolaryngologic manifestations in the CdLS literature. Most reported hearing loss and craniofacial anomalies. Sleep disorders occurred in a minority of patients, whereas airway disorders were primarily reported in case reports. These conditions should be further examined given their potential life-threatening implications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3a Laryngoscope, 130:E122-E133, 2020.

Diagnosis and management of Cornelia de Lange syndrome: first international consensus statement

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is an archetypical genetic syndrome that is characterized by intellectual disability, well-defined facial features, upper limb anomalies and atypical growth, among numerous other signs and symptoms. It is caused by variants in any one of seven genes, all of which have a structural or regulatory function in the cohesin complex. Although recent advances in next-generation sequencing have improved molecular diagnostics, marked heterogeneity exists in clinical and molecular diagnostic approaches and care practices worldwide. Here, we outline a series of recommendations that document the consensus of a group of international experts on clinical diagnostic criteria, both for classic CdLS and non-classic CdLS phenotypes, molecular investigations, long-term management and care planning.

Epileptic features in Cornelia de Lange syndrome: case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a rare genetic disease, caused by mutations in three known different genes: NIBPL (crom 5p), SMC1A (crom X) and SMC3 (crom 10q), that account for about 65% of cases. This syndrome is characterized by distinctive facial features, psychomotor delay, growth retardation since the prenatal period (second trimester of pregnancy), hands and feet abnormalities, and involvement of other organs/systems. SMC1A and SMC3 mutations are responsible for a mild phenotype of the syndrome.

METHODS

We report the electroclinical features of epilepsy in a child with a mild Cornelia de Lange syndrome and furthermore we reviewed the descriptions of the epileptic findings available in the literature in patients with such syndrome.

RESULTS

A large heterogeneity of the epileptic findings in the literature is reported.

CONCLUSION

The presence of epilepsy could be related to pathophysiological factors independent of those implicated in the characterization of main classical phenotypic features. A more detailed description of the epileptic findings could help clinicians in the diagnosis of this syndrome in those cases lacking of the typical features.

Causes of death and autopsy findings in a large study cohort of individuals with Cornelia de Lange syndrome and review of the literature

To identify causes of death (COD) in propositi with Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) at various ages, and to develop guidelines to improve management and avoid morbidity and mortality, we retrospectively reviewed a total of 426 propositi with confirmed clinical diagnoses of CdLS in our database who died in a 41-year period between 1966 and 2007. Of these, 295 had an identifiable COD reported to us. Clinical, laboratory, and complete autopsy data were completed on 41, of which 38 were obtainable, an additional 19 had autopsies that only documented the COD, and 45 propositi had surgical, imaging, or terminal event clinical documentation of their COD. Proband ages ranged from fetuses (21-40 weeks gestation) to 61 years. A literature review was undertaken to identify all reported causes of death in CdLS individuals. In our cohort of 295 propositi with a known COD, respiratory causes including aspiration/reflux and pneumonias were the most common primary causes (31%), followed by gastrointestinal disease, including obstruction/volvulus (19%). Congenital anomalies accounted for 15% of deaths and included congenital diaphragmatic hernia and congenital heart defects. Acquired cardiac disease accounted for 3% of deaths. Neurological causes and accidents each accounted for 8%, sepsis for 4%, cancer for 2%, renal disease for 1.7%, and other causes, 9% of deaths. We also present 21 representative clinical cases for illustration. This comprehensive review has identified important etiologies contributing to the morbidity and mortality in this population that will provide for an improved understanding of clinical complications, and management for children and adults with CdLS.

Relação da epilepsia com a síndrome de apneia obstrutiva do sono: revisão

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar principalmente a relação entre síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono (SAOS) e crises epilépticas (CE). MÉTODOS: Pesquisa no Pubmed com publicações de 2000 até 23.11.2009 a partir dos descritores “Sleep Apnea, Obstructive” [Mesh Major Topic] e epilepsy[title/abstract]. Acrescentado também artigo referente à Classificação Internacional de Transtornos do Sono-2005. RESULTADOS: Obtidos 19 artigos (um em alemão, excluído) sendo 1 artigo de revisão, 2 editoriais, 5 relatos de caso, 1 série de casos, 4 transversais, 1 ensaio clínico piloto, 2 longitudinais experimentais sem controle, 1 longitudinal/avaliação polissonográfica em dois momentos, 1 de acurácia. CONCLUSÃO: A SAOS é subnotificada na população epiléptica farmacorresistente e nos pacientes com sonolência excessiva diurna (pode ser consequência da SAOS) bem como nos que serão submetidos a estimulação do nervo vago (pode exacerbar SAOS em pacientes com SAOS pré-existente) para fim de controle de CE. Os dados dessa revisão levantam a hipótese da relação importante entre SAOS e CE, pois alguns estudos sugerem a relação mútua entre os dois fatores, apesar de não haver significância estatística. Existe uma relação inversa em um relato de caso de lobectomia frontal esquerda com resolução de CE e da apneia, levando a sugestão de que descargas epilépticas interictais extensas bem como a CE em si no sono pudessem alterar o controle das vias aéreas superiores. A revisão estabelece também a necessidade da realização de novos estudos com análise multivariada e, idealmente, prospectivos e com controles, com amostra maior, observacionais ou de intervenção, com continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) para a conclusão mais fundamentada metodologicamente.