Clinical description of 41 Brazilian patients with oculo-auriculo-vertebral dysplasia

Goldenhar Syndrome: Quality-of-Life Analysis of 43 Consecutive Patients

Goldenhar syndrome is a rare congenital disease, characterized by the malformation of craniofacial features, spine, and other organs. Its pathogenesis and impact on patients' quality of life (QoL) have not been fully elucidated as yet. Therefore, data of all patients with Goldenhar syndrome, who were treated at Hannover Medical School between 1997 and 2020, were analyzed. Forty-three patients were identified. Their medical records were carefully reviewed for data regarding their age, sex, demographics, Pruzansky classification, surgical history, and affected side. Goldenhar syndrome-associated medical conditions, therapeutic procedures, and the impact of disease on QoL were assessed. Their QoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 questionnaire. The χ 2 test and Pearson correlation were performed for statistical evaluation. Female sex was positively correlated with OHIP outcomes, whereas male sex had a negative correlation with OHIP outcomes. Therefore, females had significantly worse QoL than males. No significant correlation was observed between the Pruzansky classification and QoL or between surgical history and QoL. Goldenhar syndrome is a rare disease that presents with varying severity. Hence, prospective studies are required to further investigate the impact of Goldenhar syndrome on the QoL.

Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum: new genes and literature review on a complex disease

Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS) or Goldenhar syndrome is due to an abnormal development of first and second branchial arches derivatives during embryogenesis and is characterised by hemifacial microsomia associated with auricular, ocular and vertebral malformations. The clinical and genetic heterogeneity of this spectrum with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity, render its molecular diagnosis difficult. Only a few recurrent CNVs and genes have been identified as causatives in this complex disorder so far. Prenatal environmental causal factors have also been hypothesised. However, most of the patients remain without aetiology. In this review, we aim at updating clinical diagnostic criteria and describing genetic and non-genetic aetiologies, animal models as well as novel diagnostic tools and surgical management, in order to help and improve clinical care and genetic counselling of these patients and their families.

Oculo-Auriculo-Vertebral Dysplasia With Craniocervical Instability and Occult Tethered Cord Syndrome. An Addition to the Spectrum? First Case Report and Review of the Literature

Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS) is an uncommon congenital disorder of abnormal development of the first and second pharyngeal arches. This spectrum is characterized by craniofacial microsomia, epibulbar dermoids, ear abnormalities, renal and cardiac defects, and a wide range of vertebral segmentation and formation disorders. Frequently, the cervicothoracic spine is involved. Only recently, the morbidity attributed to the spinal abnormalities has gained attention. Strategy and timing of spine surgery has become increasingly important in patients with OAVS. Here, we report a case of OAVS with characteristic vertebral cervical and thoracic involvement and its sequelae requiring multiple spinal procedures, further complexed by an unprecedented occult tethered cord syndrome, which was successfully treated by surgical detethering. In this context, the recent literature on spinal anomalies is reviewed.