acrocephaly

Jackson-Weiss Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The facial malformation such as the flattened midface with maxillary hypoplasia leads to shallow orbits with the result that the eyes appear proptotic.  Some but not all individuals have strabismus, usually exotropia.  Optic atrophy has not been reported. 

Systemic Features: 

Infants usually present at birth with skull deformities resembling some variant of acrocephalosyndactyly.  Some or all of the skull sutures may be fused.  In some individuals craniectomy is necessary while others have normal brain development.  Few patients have evidence of abnormal neurological development and psychometric testing reveals IQ's in the normal range.  The midface is flattened with sometimes severe maxillary hypoplasia.  No hand deformities are present. 

There may be cutaneous syndactyly of the second and third toes.  Variable tarsal fusion is often present. The great toe may be abnormally broad and deviated medially.  The first metatarsals and proximal phalanges of the great toes are generally broad.

The phenotype is highly variable and even among individuals in genetically more homogeneous populations such as the Old Order Amish the range of facial, skull, and digital anomalies include features found among all of the craniosynostosis syndromes except for Apert syndrome.

Genetics

Heterozygous mutations in the FGFR2 gene (10q26.13) are likely responsible for this autosomal dominant condition. 

Other forms of craniosynostosis in which mutations in FGFR2 have been found are: Beare-Stevenson Syndrome (123790), Crouzon Syndrome (123500), Pfeiffer Syndrome (101600), Apert Syndrome (101200), and Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome (101400).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

There is no treatment beyond surgical correction of selected malformations. The risk of exposure keratitis requires constant vigilance and appropriate corneal lubrication.

References
Article Title: 

Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The lids are often ptotic and asymmetrically so in keeping with the skull asymmetry.  Strabismus is common.  Optic atrophy, downward slanting lid fissures, epicanthal folds, and dacryostenosis have also been reported.

Systemic Features: 

The skull is acrocephalic and asymmetrical.  The frontal hairline is low.  The external ear and especially the crus of the ear are malformed and the latter is sometimes considered a valuable diagnostic sign.  There is frequently mild soft tissue syndactyly of the third, fourth and fifth toes, and the distal phalanges of the hallux may be bifid.  Syndactyly of the fingers is sometimes present as well.  Clefting of the soft and hard palates is commonly present and a few patients have had joint contractures.  Hearing loss of all types has been reported.  Mental development seems to be normal.  An increased risk of breast cancer has been found among Swedish patients.

SCS is considered to be one of the more common types of syndromic craniosynostosis.

Genetics

Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is caused by mutations in the TWIST1 (10q26) and possibly FGFR2 genes suggesting genetic heterogeneity.  There is also a great deal of clinical heterogeneity.  This syndrome is sometimes confused with Gorlin-Chaudhry-Moss syndrome (233500).  Pedigrees are consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

There is no known treatment except for cranioplasty and repair of palate clefting.

References
Article Title: 

Carpenter Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

A variety of ocular anomalies have been reported in Carpenter syndrome with none being constant or characteristic.  The inner canthi are often spaced widely apart and many have epicanthal folds and a flat nasal bridge.  Other reported abnormalities are nystagmus, foveal hypoplasia, corneal malformations including microcornea, corneal opacity, and mild optic atrophy and features of pseudopapilledema.

Systemic Features: 

Premature synostosis involves numerous cranial sutures with the sagittal suture commonly involved causing acrocephaly (tower skull).  Asymmetry of the skull and a 'cloverleaf' deformity are often present.  The polydactyly is preaxial and some degree of syndactyly is common especially in the toes.  The digits are often short and may be missing phalanges.  Some patients are short in stature.  Structural brain defects may be widespread including atrophy of the cortex and cerebellar vermis.  Septal defects in the heart are found in about one-third of patients.  The ears can be low-set and preauricular pits may be seen.  Some but not all patients have obesity and a degree of mental retardation.

Genetics

This is an autosomal recessive syndrome caused by a mutation in the RAB23 gene (6p12.1-q12).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No treatment of the ocular defects is necessary in most cases. Craniectomy may be required in cases with severe synostosis.

References
Article Title: 

Carpenter syndrome

Hidestrand P, Vasconez H, Cottrill C. Carpenter syndrome. J Craniofac Surg. 2009 Jan;20(1):254-6.

PubMed ID: 
19165041

RAB23 mutations in Carpenter syndrome imply an unexpected role for hedgehog signaling in cranial-suture development and obesity

Jenkins D, Seelow D, Jehee FS, Perlyn CA, Alonso LG, Bueno DF, Donnai D, Josifova D, Mathijssen IM, Morton JE, Orstavik KH, Sweeney E, Wall SA, Marsh JL, Nurnberg P, Passos-Bueno MR, Wilkie AO. RAB23 mutations in Carpenter syndrome imply an unexpected role for hedgehog signaling in cranial-suture development and obesity. Am J Hum Genet. 2007 Jun;80(6):1162-70. Erratum in: Am J Hum Genet. 2007 Nov;81(5):1114. Josifiova, Dragana [corrected to Josifova, Dragana].

PubMed ID: 
17503333
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