Van Maldergem Wetzburger Verloes Syndrome

At a glance

Facial abnormalities and malformation of the extremities. Hearing deficits due to ear malformations (microtia and external auditory canal atresia). Intellectual deficit.

Synonyms

Blepharo-Naso-Facial Syndrome; Pashayan Syndrome; Pashayan-Pruzansky Syndrome; Cerebrofacioarticular Syndrome.

Incidence

Extremely rare.

Genetic inheritance

Autosomal recessive transmission. Two types described: Type 1 mutation of DCHS1 gene (11p15.4) and Type 2 mutation of FAT4 gene (4q28).

Clinical aspects

Facial abnormalities include midface hypoplasia with broad and flattened nose, large, inverted, W-shaped mouth, and malformed ears. Telecanthus, epicanthus, lateral displacement of the lacrimal puncta, and lacrimal excretory obstruction are characteristic findings. Because of the weakness of the facial muscles, patients have a mask-like appearance. Malformations of the extremities can include camptodactyly, clinodactyly, interdigital webbing, and joint hyperlaxity. Neurological signs comprise torsion dystonia, increased deep tendon reflexes, poor coordination, positive Babinski sign, hearing impairment, and developmental delay. Hearing deficits due to ear malformations (microtia and external auditory canal atresia as well as middle ear abnormalities). Intellectual deficit.

Anesthetic considerations

Affected patients are otherwise healthy. Developmental delay due to hearing impairment may make communication difficult. Careful assessment of the airway is required to rule out difficult airway management because of midface hypoplasia. In general, these patients are not different from healthy children undergoing the same kind of procedure.

Other conditions to be considered

• ☞Waardenburg Syndrome (Klein-Waardenburg Syndrome): Autosomal dominant inherited syndrome with congenital sensory hearing loss and pigmentary disturbance of iris and hair, congenital leukoderma, and facial anomalies.

• ☞Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Characterized by dysmorphic features (most often midfacial anomalies), intrauterine growth retardation with failure to achieve catch-up growth, and central nervous system involvement with cognitive impairment and learning disabilities.

• ☞VATER Association (VATER[R] Association; VATER⁽²⁾ Association; VATER(2) Syndrome): An acronym that stands for Vertebral anomalies, Anal atresia, Cardiac malformations (ventricular septal defects, patent ductus arteriosus, transposition of the great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot), Tracheo-Esophageal fistula, Renal anomalies (urethral atresia with hydronephrosis), and Radial aplasia (or other limb anomalies such as humeral hypoplasia, hexadactyly, and displaced thumb).

• ☞Marden-Walker Syndrome: Autosomal recessive transmitted disease that affects more males than females. Considered as a form of Type 2 arthrogryposis. Heart and lung anomalies, joint contractures, microcephaly, ocular anomalies, high-arched or cleft palate, mental retardation, muscular hypotonia, and growth retardation. Avoid succinylcholine due to risk of hypermetabolic response. Reserved prognosis.

• ☞Tel Hashomer Camptodactyly Syndrome: Genetic disorder with muscular hypoplasia, skeletal anomalies, increased creatine phosphokinase levels, and abnormal electromyogram.

References