Nasal Duplication Combined with Cleft Lip and Palate: Surgical Correction and Long-Term Follow-Up

Human diprosopus: Case report of a rare congenital abnormality

Diprosopus is a congenital anomaly in which partial or complete duplication of craniofacial structures occurs. Because it is rare, the mortality rate is high, and information concerning this anomaly is scarce. This study describes a case of human diprosopus in a 9-year-old male individual, who has severe complications associated with the central nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive systems. Since birth, he has been monitored in a specialized hospital environment, where he has undergone several surgeries and multidisciplinary treatments. Regarding the craniofacial aspects, he had agenesis of the corpus callosum, floor of the nasal cavity, and floor of the anterior cranial fossa, in addition to the presence of bone dysplasia, ocular hypertelorism and cleft palate with nasal and oral teratoma. Regarding dental characteristics, the patient has duplication of the maxilla, mandible, tongue, and some teeth. After complementary imaging exams, several supernumerary teeth were found, with some being impacted and in complex regions, with an indication for extraction due to the risks of impaction, irruptive deviation, root resorption, and associated cystic or tumoral lesions. Because of the numerous complications, knowledge, and preparation of the entire team is necessary for the correct management of the case.

Updates on congenital lacrimal drainage anomalies and their association with syndromes and systemic disorders: A major review

BACKGROUND

To review and update the syndromic and non-syndromic systemic associations of congenital lacrimal drainage anomalies.

METHODS

The authors performed a PubMed search of all articles published in English on congenital lacrimal drainage anomalies (CLDA). The current review provides an update from January 2017 to August 2020 on all CLDA associated with clinical syndromes or non-syndromic systemic disorders. The update intends to appraise the readers on all papers that were published in the interim 3-year period since the publication of the previous major review by authors (1933-2016). Patients with specific syndromes or systemic disorders were then reviewed. Pertinent cross-references from each of the short-listed articles were also included. Data reviewed include syndromic descriptions, systemic details, demographics, lacrimal presentations, management, and outcomes.

RESULTS

There have been significant new updates. Eleven new syndromes have been added to the list of syndromic associations, of which three were suspects. Among the new syndromic associations, three (PHACE, Williams-Beuren, and Peter's plus syndromes) described CLDA details in depth. Several new non-syndromic systemic conditions with associated CLDA also came to light, the foremost amongst them being proboscis lateralis, diprosopus dirrhinus, cerebral palsy, and NGLY-1 related disorders. Although familial presentations have been reported, the inheritance patterns are unclear for most anomalies. Surgical challenges in these patients are distinct, and a thorough pre-operative assessment, including detailed imaging when indicated, may facilitate good outcomes. Two updated tables reflecting the summary of syndromic and non-syndromic systemic associations are provided to capture the details at a glance.

CONCLUSION

It is not very uncommon to find CLDA in syndromic or non-syndromic systemic disorders. Diagnosis of a craniofacial syndrome should prompt the physician to look out for CLDA. Similarly, a diagnosis of multiple CLDA should alert the examiner for the possible presence of associated systemic anomalies.

Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate, With Facial Dysplasia: Interdisciplinary Treatment and Long-Term Follow-Up

Bilateral complete clefts represent the result of an incomplete fusion with all the morphologic components present. It is well known that patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate have typical characteristics such as insufficient medial face development with an orthodontic class III tendency, flat nose and short columella with abnormal nasolabial angle, bilateral oronasal fistulas, alterations in the number and position of the lateral incisors, and agenesis or supernumerary teeth. Successfully solving these cases, results in a difficult challenge and studies showing extended follow-up are not frequent. Bilateral complete clefts, including medial facial dysplasia, are a rare condition, not only difficult to be included in any classification but also of complex solution. These patients require multiple surgical procedures throughout life, and long-term results are often still far from ideal. Due to surgical intervention and diminished intrinsic growth potential, surgical results may change from initially good into a progressively disappointing outcome. However, if the ideal timing and type of surgery are known, in combination with the intrinsic growth potential, these results could be ameliorated. A patient with complete bilateral cleft, presenting hypoplasia of philtrum and premaxilla, flat nose with rudimentary columella and septum, is reported. A description of her interdisciplinary treatment and long-term outcome with an adequate and stable result was observed. Being the intrinsic growth restriction mainly localized in the central mid-face, a protocol oriented to stimulate facial development during growth period could be essential to reduce the number of surgical procedures and prevent sequels. Early referral to a specialized center is mandatory to achieve a correct treatment and result.