Cs. Hultman et al., Chiari malformation, cervical spine anomalies, and neurologic deficits in velocardiofacial syndrome, PLAS R SURG, 106(1), 2000, pp. 16-24
The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the prevalence of Chiari
malformation, cervical spine anomalies, and neurologic deficits in patients
with velocardiofacial syndrome. This study was a prospective evaluation of
41 consecutive patients with velocardiofacial syndrome, documented by fluo
rescence in situ hybridization, between March of 1994 and September of 1998
. The 23 girls and 18 boys ranged in age from 0.5 to 15.2 years, with a mea
n age of 6.7 years. Nineteen patients were assessed with magnetic resonance
imaging, 39 underwent lateral cephalometric radiography, and all patients
were examined for neurologic deficits. Eight of 19 patients (42 percent) ha
d anomalies of the craniovertebral junction, including Chiari type I malfor
mations (n = 4), occipitalization of the atlas (n = 3), and narrowing of th
e foramen magnum (n = 1). One patient with Chiari malformation required sub
occipital craniectomy with laminectomy and decompression. Fourteen of 41 pa
tients (34 percent) had demonstrated neurologic deficits; 10 patients (24 p
ercent) had velar paresis (6 unilateral and 4 bilateral). Chiari malformati
ons, cervical spine anomalies, and neurologic deficits are common in veloca
rdiofacial syndrome. Because these findings may influence the outcome of su
rgical intervention, routine assessment of patients with velocardiofacial s
yndrome should include careful orofacial examination, lateral cephalometric
radiography, and magnetic resonance imaging of the craniovertebral junctio
n.