The ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome (EEC): report of five cases

Innovative Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of the Ocular Morbidities in Patients with EEC Syndrome

Ectrodactyly-Ectodermal dysplasia-Clefting (EEC) syndrome is caused by heterozygous missense point mutations in the p63 gene, an important transcription factor during embryogenesis and for stem cell differentiation in stratified epithelia. Most of the cases are sporadic, related to de novo mutations arising during early-stage development. Familial cases show an autosomic dominant inheritance. The major cause of visual morbidity is limbal stem cell failure, which develops in the second to third decade of life. Patients often show ocular surface alterations, such as recurrent blepharitis and conjunctivitis, superficial microlesions of the cornea, and spontaneous corneal perforation and ulceration, leading to progressive corneal clouding and eventually visual loss. No definitive cures are currently available, and treatments to alleviate symptoms are only palliative. In this review, we will discuss the proposed therapeutic strategies that have been tested or are under development for the management of the ocular defects in patients affected by EEC syndrome: (i) gene therapy-based approaches by means of Allele-Specific (AS) siRNAs to correct the p63 mutations; (ii) cell therapy-based approaches to replenish the pool of limbal stem cells; and (iii) drug therapy to correct/bypass the genetic defect. However, as the number of patients with EEC syndrome is too limited, further studies are still necessary to prove the effectiveness (and safety) of these innovative therapeutic approaches to counteract the premature differentiation of limbal stem cells.

The influence of genetic syndromes on the algorithm of cleft lip and palate repair – A retrospective study

Introduction:

This study aimed to determine if the treatment algorithm used for nonsyndromic cleft patients required alteration to manage syndromic cleft lip and/or palate patients.

Methods:

The records of patients managed by the Pécs Cleft Team between January 1999 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The sources of the data included clinical and genetic records.

Results:

A total of 607 patients were managed by the cleft team during the study. Sixteen patients (2.6%) were noted to be afflicted with a particular identifiable syndrome. Seven different genetic syndromes and one sequence were present in the study. The Pierre Robin sequence occurred most often, comprising 50% of the cohort. The treatment algorithm used in managing nonsyndromic clefts required modification in 13 of the 16 syndromic patients.

Discussion:

The presence of a genetic syndrome may notably affect the treatment algorithm in children born with cleft lip and/or palate. The surgical treatment of certain associated anomalies has by necessity, priority over the timing of the reconstruction of the cleft lip and/or cleft palate in syndromic patients.

Retinal tear presenting in a patient with ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia

PURPOSE

This article aims to report a case of known ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia in a young male patient who subsequently was found to have a retinal tear and localized retinal detachment.

CASE REPORT

This is a case report of a 22-year-old white male patient with a history of ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia. Our patient initially presented with an acute exacerbation of bilateral, red, irritated eyes. No recent changes in vision were reported. The patient's ocular surface disease was consistent with ectrodermal dysplasia syndrome. However, a dilated fundus examination revealed an asymptomatic retinal tear with a surrounding localized retinal detachment.

CONCLUSIONS

In this case, the patient presented with longstanding ocular surface disease known to be associated with this patient's inherited ectoderm disorder. In addition, this patient revealed a retinal tear, raising the possibility that patients with inherited congenital ectodermal dysplasia could be at risk for damaged structures originating from the neural ectoderm. In this heterogeneous disease, we are contributing to the existing literature a case of ectodermal dysplasia syndrome with obvious ectodermal complications that also had retinal findings leading us to speculate question if neural ectoderm could also be involved in this inherited disease.

Non-traumatic causes of perianal hemorrhage and excoriation in the young

The discovery at autopsy or at a death scene of fresh perianal hemorrhage and/or cutaneous excoriation in a young child is always of concern as this raises the possibility of inflicted injury. Three cases are reported where perianal bleeding and excoriation that were initially considered due to possible sexual assault were subsequently found to be of a non-suspicious nature. Case 1: A previously well 18-month-old boy was accidentally hanged. Fresh perianal hemorrhage that had raised the possibility of sexual assault was subsequently shown to be due to perineal streptococcal dermatitis. Case 2: A 2-year-old girl vomited and then stopped breathing. Fresh blood at the anus, that was also thought to be patulous, raised suspicions of sexual assault. At autopsy, however, bleeding around the normally configured anus was due to a midgut volvulus associated with intestinal malrotation. Case 3: A 21-month-old girl was found dead in her cot. Sexual abuse was suspected when lacerations were allegedly found around her anus. These were, however, due to skin lesions from her previously diagnosed ectodermal dysplasia clefting syndrome. Death was due to upper airway obstruction from acute and chronic inflammation. There was no evidence of anogenital trauma or sexual assault in any of the cases. Although inflicted traumatic causes of perianal hemorrhage and excoriation must be judiciously sought in the young, the current cases demonstrate that organic etiologies must also be considered. Perianal infections, congenital malformations of the mesentery and intestines, and inherited disorders of the skin may all produce findings that may initially suggest that sexual assault has occurred. Careful examination with appropriate photography and/or microbiological testing are required.

Midface Growth in Patients with Ectrodactyly-Ectodermal Dysplasia-Clefting Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder involving abnormalities of the hands, feet, skin, and teeth and clefts of the lip and palate. Patients with this syndrome have abnormal facial features--namely, clefts of the lip and palate--and abnormal dentition, which could affect the growth of their midface region. The purpose of this study was to describe characteristics of midface growth in patients with this syndrome.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted for eight postoperative patients seen at the cleft clinic at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between 1987 and 2004. Clinical notes and operative reports were reviewed. The surgeon's assessment and cephalometric measurements were analyzed. The cephalometric values were compared with Bolton standards for normal facial growth to determine deficiency.

RESULTS

All eight patients displayed midface disproportion. Five of the eight were found to have some degree of midface retrusion. The upper anterior facial height was found to be deficient for half of the patients. Six patients had deficient lower facial height and four had deficient total face height. Two of these patients have undergone midface distraction osteogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' study identified a subset of patients within the cleft clinic who carry the diagnosis of ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome. The patients tend to have poor dentition that, coupled with clefts of the lip and palate, inhibits normal midface growth and can require surgical correction. The need for orthognathic surgery seems to be greater than that seen in patients who have clefts of the lip and palate but do not carry the syndrome.