Cervical Spine Injury From Unrecognized Craniocervical Instability in Severe Pierre Robin Sequence Associated With Skeletal Dysplasia

Clinical and genetic characterization of patients with Pierre Robin sequence and spinal disease: review of the literature and novel terminal 10q deletion

INTRODUCTION

The Pierre-Robin sequence (PRS) is a pattern of congenital facial abnormalities comprising micrognathia, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction. Associated spinal pathologies have rarely been reported with PRS.

METHODS

We explore the molecular genetic basis of this association through a systematic review of spinal disease in patients with PRS. We also present an illustrative case of a PRS patient with tethered cord in the setting of chromosome 10q terminal deletion.

RESULTS

Our systematic literature review of spinal disease in patients with PRS revealed several patterns in the underlying genetic syndromes causing these conditions to co-occur. These principles are illustrated in the case of a 6-month-old female with PRS and a 14.34-Mb terminal deletion of chromosome 10q, who was found to have a sacral dimple during a routine outpatient checkup. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed a lumbar syrinx associated with tethered spinal cord. Surgical de-tethering was undertaken, with subsequent improvement in motor function and decrease in the size of the syrinx. The deletion of chromosome 10q in our patient had not previously been described in association with tethered cord or PRS.

CONCLUSION

Spinal pathologies are understudied contributors to disease burden in patients with PRS. The range of predisposing syndromes and mutations in patients with both PRS and spinal disorders remains poorly characterized but may be more defined than previously conceived. Clinical screening is most critical during neonatal and adolescent developmental periods with continued neurological assessment. This study emphasizes the need for early genetic testing and counseling in this patient population, in parallel with research efforts to develop molecular classifications to guide clinical management.

Cervical Stenosis in Non-Syndromic Pierre Robin Sequence

Pierre Robin sequence is a triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction that has reported associations with numerous birth defects and anomalies including craniocervical pathologies. Given the number of airway assessments and neck manipulations these neonates experience, undetected cervical instability can result in detrimental consequences. The authors present a case of a neonate with non-syndromic Pierre Robin sequence planned for mandibular distraction osteogenesis that developed abnormal motor activity following intubation. The patient was eventually diagnosed with cervical spine stenosis and craniocervical instability after radiologic investigation. This paper demonstrates the significance of preoperative cervical spine evaluation and the importance of maintaining high level of suspicion when performing neck manipulations in those high-risk infants.