Hyoid Bone Position and Head Posture in Patients With Richieri-Costa Pereira Syndrome (EIF4A3 Mutations).

Robin sequence with cleft mandible and limb anomalies, known as Richieri-Costa-Pereira syndrome (RCPS), is an autosomal recessive acrofacial dysostosis characterized by mandibular cleft and other craniofacial anomalies and respiratory complications. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the hyoid and head posture of 9 individuals with RCPS using cephalometric measurements and provide a discussion about its implications in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The study was conducted on lateral cephalograms of patients with RCPS and 9 selected age-matched controls in tertiary cleft center in Brazil. The cephalograms were digitized and analyzed on a software to obtain the vertical and horizontal hyoid position, its relationship with the mandible and the relation of the cranial base and postvertebral line. The t test was used for analysis of means and Levene's test for equality of variances.Cephalometric measurements H-S (vertical distance between hyoid bone and sella) (Supplemental Digital Content, Figure 1, http://links.lww.com/SCS/B247) and H-C4lp (horizontal position of the hyoid in relation to the post-pharyngeal space) showed statistically significant difference compared to controls (P < 0.05). Therefore, the hyoid bone was more inferiorly and posteriorly positioned in the study group compared with the control group. The vertebrae measurements did not present differences compared to controls. The described position of hyoid bone could be involved in the severe OSAS of RCPS patients.

Cephalometric Findings in Nine Individuals With Richieri-Costa-Pereira Syndrome.

The Richieri-Costa-Pereira syndrome (RCPS) is an autosomal-recessive acrofacial dysostosis caused by mutations in EIF4A3, characterized by mandibular cleft comprising other craniofacial anomalies and limb defects such as cleft palate/Robin Sequence, microstomia, absence of mandibular central incisors, minor ear anomalies, clubfeet and first and 5 ray defects. The findings from this study are useful for better understanding the morphological consequences of disorders of EIF4A3, and having a better picture of the anatomic characteristics of the syndrome for a better therapeutic planning. Twenty-four angular and linear variables were measured to assess anteroposterior and vertical (superior-inferior) position of the cranial base, maxilla, mandible, and facial profile. The cephalometric radiographic analysis was performed on 9 individuals with RCPS, obtained at a mean age of 10.3 years, and compared with randomly selected age-matched 9 controls, without clefts and with well-balanced faces, with mean age of 10.6 years (both groups range 8.1 to 13.7 years). t test was used for analysis of means and Levene test for equality of variances. The syndrome group presented severe mandibular hypoplasia and retrognathism (P = 0.009, P = 0.001), greater facial convexity (N'PnPog and N'SnPog, P < 0.05) in syndrome group compared with the control group (P = 0.003, P = 0.004). In conclusion, in the RCPS group, most craniofacial defects affect the lower facial third, considering the severely affected mandible.

Richieri-costa and Pereira syndrome: severe phenotype.

Richieri-Costa and Pereira syndrome, described in 1992, comprises short stature, Robin sequence, cleft mandible, limb malformations, and short larynx, deformed or lack of epiglottis, and abnormal aryepiglottic folds. There are 32 reported cases, only one described outside Brazil. We describe a 4-month-old boy with the most severe phenotype yet reported.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VIB with characteristic facies, decreased curvatures of the spinal column, and joint contractures in two unrelated girls.

Two unrelated girls, aged 11 and 14 years, with clinical manifestations of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) type VIB, characteristic facies, skeletal abnormalities, and other features are described. They had Marfanoid habitus with pectus excavatum; fragile, hyperextensible, and readily bruisable skin with widened, atrophic scars; recurrent hematomas; generalized joint laxity; hypotonia; scoliosis; and mild delay of gross motor development. Lysyl hydroxylase deficiency was ruled out in Patient 1. Parental consanguinity was present in Patient 2. They both had, in early childhood, down-slanting palpebral fissures, drooping lower eyelids, short nose, small mouth, and long philtrum. Facial features that persisted included thick eyebrows, hypertelorism, strabismus, blue sclerae, low-set, and slanted ears, hypoplastic columella, high-arched palate, and thin upper lip. They had tubular stenosis of the phalanges, metacarpals, and metatarsals; decreased physiological curvatures of the spinal column with tall vertebrae; and joint contractures including talipes equinovarus and progressive talipes valgus. Their hearing of high-pitched sounds was impaired. They had constipation and recurrent cystitis with an enlarged bladder. In view of these findings, we propose that these two girls represent a clinically recognizable subgroup of EDS type VIB.