Craniofrontonasal Dysplasia Research Articles

Prenatal diagnosis of X-linked craniofrontonasal dysplasia: Case report

Introducción: La displasia craneofrontonasal (DCFN), es un trastorno malformativo poco frecuente que afecta fundamentalmente los ojos, la nariz y la frente. De todos ellos, el hipertelorismo es el componente principal e invariable. Ocurre esporádicamente en la mayoría de los casos. En la literatura se han informado sólo unos pocos casos diagnosticados antes del nacimiento. Objetivo: Describir un caso diagnosticado prenatalmente de displasia craneofrontonasal ligada al cromosoma X. Presentación de caso: Gestante de 21 años con evaluación inicial de riesgo genético incrementado de enfermedad hereditaria por antecedente personal y familiar de DCFN. Con 24 semanas de embarazo se realiza ecografía en el Centro Provincial de Genética Médica de Mayabeque- Cuba, consulta de confirmaciones que describió anomalías faciales en feto femenino con hipertelorismo, puente nasal amplio y boca entreabierta mantenida durante todo el estudio. No se reportaron hendiduras faciales ni otros defectos asociados. Se ofreció asesoramiento genético. Atendiendo a los antecedentes obtenidos, la valoración del árbol genealógico confeccionado y los hallazgos ecográficos reportados se concluyó que podía corresponder con un feto afectado por DCFN. La pareja solicitó la terminación voluntaria del embarazo. La necropsia fetal confirmó el diagnóstico de DCFN. Conclusiones: Para realizar el diagnóstico prenatal de DCFN, el fenotipado ecográfico fetal, el análisis de la historia familiar y de los hallazgos anatomopatológicos son la clave de un asesoramiento genético personalizado que permita a la pareja la opción reproductiva que considere más apropiada.

Craniomaxillofacial morphology in a murine model of ephrinB1 conditional deletion in osteoprogenitor cells

ObjectiveEFNB1 mutation causes craniofrontonasal dysplasia (CFND), a congenital syndrome associated with craniomaxillofacial anomalies characterised by coronal craniosynostosis, orbital hypertelorism, and midface dysplasia. The aim of this murine study was to investigate the effect of the EfnB1 conditional gene deletion in osteoprogenitor cells on the craniomaxillofacial skeletal morphology. DesignThe skulls of male and female mice, in which EfnB1 was deleted by Cre (a site-specific DNA recombinase) under the control of the Osterix (Osx) promoter (EfnB1OB-/-), were compared to those without EfnB1 deletion (Osx:Cre control) at two ages (4 and 8 weeks; n = 6 per group). The three-dimensional micro-computed tomography reconstructions were prepared to calculate 17 linear measurements in the cranial vault (brain box), midface and mandible. Coronal and sagittal sutures from the 8-week-old mice were also subjected to histological examination. ResultsEfnB1OB-/- mice displayed significantly larger cranial height, larger interorbital and nasal widths, smaller maxillary width than controls by 8 weeks (p < 0.05), but mandibular size was not significantly different (p > 0.05). Binomial testing showed significantly smaller EfnB1OB-/- skulls at 4 weeks but larger at 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Histological examination revealed increased bony fusion and fibrous connective tissue deposition at the coronal suture of EfnB1OB-/- mice compared with controls. ConclusionsCraniofacial phenotype of the murine model of EfnB1 deletion in osteoprogenitor cells partially represents the human CFND phenotype, with implications for better understanding mechanisms involved in skeletal morphogenesis and malocclusion.

Craniofrontonasal dysplasia: hypertelorism correction in late presenting patients.

Craniofrontonasal dysplasia (CFND) is a rare congenital craniofacial syndrome characterized by single suture synostosis, hypertelorism, other clinical facial features, and abnormalities in the upper extremities. There are only a few studies in the applicable literature that address hypertelorism management for CFND patients and outcomes and complication rates. A retrospective study was performed on consecutive late presenting CFND patients referred to our hospital with substantially completed craniofacial skeleton growth, who underwent hypertelorism correction between 2007 and 2019 following intracranial pressure screening, and who received at least 1 year of follow-up care. None of the patients in this study underwent prior craniofacial surgery. Only those patients with a confirmed mutation of the EFNB1 gene were included in this study. All patients in this study underwent hypertelorism correction by facial bipartition or box osteotomy. A total of ten late presenting CFND patients (all female) were treated at our hospital during the study period. None of the patients presented signs of elevated intracranial pressure. The average patient age at hypertelorism correction was 13.4 ± 7.68 years of age. Major complications, defined as complications requiring a return to the operating room, were limited to infection of the frontal bone, which required partial bone removal, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which was completely resolved by insertion of a lumbar shunt for a 7-day period. The absence of elevated intracranial pressure enables hypertelorism correction in late presenting CFND patients via facial bipartition or box osteotomy without the need for additional operations that provide for cranial expansion.

Intracranial Volume Measured and Correlated to Cephalic Index in Syndromic and Nonsyndromic Anterior Brachycephaly.

Premature fusion of both coronal sutures (anterior brachycephaly) alters skull shape and potentially affects intracranial volume (ICV). Currently little is known about preoperative ICV in anterior brachycephaly. Aim is to measure preoperative ICV and compare this with normative data. Additionally, ICV will be correlated to most used clinical method of quantification: cephalic index (CI). Preoperative patients with anterior brachycephaly (age, ≤12 months) were included and categorized by syndrome (when present). Computed tomography scans were used for ICV measurement by manual segmentation (OsiriX (Fondation OsiriX, Geneva, Switzerland)). Intracranial volume of each subgroup was compared with Lichtenberg normative cranial volume growth curves for controls. Cephalic index was calculated and correlated to ICV using Pearson correlation coefficient. Thirty-four patients with both syndromic and nonsyndromic anterior brachycephaly were included: 17 with Apert syndrome, 6 with Muenke syndrome, 5 with Saethre Chotzen syndrome, 3 with Crouzon, 1 with craniofrontonasal dysplasia, and 2 nonsyndromal. Mean age at preoperative computed tomography scan was 4 months (1-10 months). Mean ICV was 847.31 cm3 (473.91-1459.22 cm3). Nineteen of 34 patients had skull volumes between ±2 SD curves of Lichtenberg, none of the patients had an ICV smaller than -2 SD and 15 of 34 had an ICV larger than +2 SD. Mean ICV in Apert syndrome was 829.85 cm3 (473.91-1061.53 cm3), in Muenke syndrome 942.06 cm3 (768.02-1136.75 cm3), in Saethre Chotzen syndrome 779.72 cm3 (609.21-1002.95 cm3), in Crouzon syndrome 700.57 cm3 (652.31-784.32 cm3), in craniofrontonasal dysplasia 738.97 cm3, and in the nonsyndromal group 1154.64 cm3 (850.07-1459.22 cm3). Apert had a mean greater than +2SD above the mean, the other subgroups had a mean within normal ranges (±2 SD). Correlation between severity of brachycephaly and overall ICV was low (r = 0.42). Mean preoperative ICV in both syndromic and nonsyndromic anterior brachycephaly was 847.31 cm3. Intracranial volume in anterior brachycephaly is in 55.9% between normal ranges (±2 SD). In 44.1% ICV was greater than +2 SD, especially in Apert syndrome (11/16 Apert patients). None of the included patients had a deviant small ICV of less than -2 SD. Additionally, low correlation between ICV and CI (r = 0.42) was found and therefore CI is not suitable for estimating ICV in anterior brachycephaly.

MicroRNAs associated with early neural crest development in Xenopus laevis

BackgroundThe neural crest (NC) is a class of transitory stem cell-like cells unique to vertebrate embryos. NC cells arise within the dorsal neural tube where they undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal transition in order to migrate and differentiate throughout the developing embryo. The derivative cell types give rise to multiple tissues, including the craniofacial skeleton, peripheral nervous system and skin pigment cells. Several well-studied gene regulatory networks underpin NC development, which when disrupted can lead to various neurocristopathies such as craniofrontonasal dysplasia, DiGeorge syndrome and some forms of cancer. Small RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules important in post-transcriptional gene silencing and critical for cellular regulation of gene expression.ResultsTo uncover novel small RNAs in NC development we used high definition adapters and next generation sequencing of libraries derived from ectodermal explants of Xenopus laevis embryos induced to form neural and NC tissue. Ectodermal and blastula animal pole (blastula) stage tissues were also sequenced. We show that miR-427 is highly abundant in all four tissue types though in an isoform specific manner and we define a set of 11 miRNAs that are enriched in the NC. In addition, we show miR-301a and miR-338 are highly expressed in both the NC and blastula suggesting a role for these miRNAs in maintaining the stem cell-like phenotype of NC cells.ConclusionWe have characterised the miRNAs expressed in Xenopus embryonic explants treated to form ectoderm, neural or NC tissue. This has identified novel tissue specific miRNAs and highlighted differential expression of miR-427 isoforms.

Surgical approach of hypertelorbitism in craniofrontonasal dysplasia.

to present our experience in the hypertelorbitism surgical treatment in craniofrontonasal dysplasia. retrospective analysis of craniofrontonasal dysplasia patients operated through orbital box osteotomy or facial bipartition between 1997 and 2015. Surgical data was obtained from medical records, complementary tests, photographs, and clinical interviews. Surgical results were classified based on the need for additional surgery and orbital relapse was calculated. seven female patients were included, of whom three (42.86%) underwent orbital box osteotomy and four (57.14%) underwent facial bipartition. There was orbital relapse in average of 3.71±3,73mm. Surgical result according to the need for further surgery was 2.43±0.53. surgical approach to hypertelorbitism in craniofrontonasal dysplasia should be individualized, respecting the age at surgery and preferences of patients, parents, and surgeons.

Surgical Strategies for Soft Tissue Management in Hypertelorbitism

Although craniofacial bone correction is the essential step in hypertelorbitism correction, the final result depends on the management of soft tissue deformities. The purpose of this study was to review our surgical strategies for soft tissue reconstruction in hypertelorbitism correction. A retrospective study was performed of consecutive patients with hypertelorbitism, undergoing hypertelorbitism correction between 2007 and 2014. All aspects related to the craniofacial surgical procedures (number and type of procedures, outcomes, and complications) were verified through medical records, clinical photographs, and interviews with all patients. The surgical results were classified based on a previously published outcome grading scale I-IV on the need for additional surgery. The present study included 16 patients diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome (n = 2), Apert syndrome (n = 1), encephalocele (n = 1), frontonasal dysplasia (n = 2), craniofrontonasal dysplasia (n = 5), Tessier number 10 type (n = 1), and Tessier number 0 to 14 type (n = 4).The number and types (local flaps, medial canthopexy, Converse scalping flap, and/or the K stitch technique) of surgeries performed varied according to the facial soft tissue deformities of each patient. The overall rate of surgical results ranked according to the need for additional surgery was 1.56 ± 0.51 (between categories I and II). As hypertelorbitism has been associated with a variety of congenital deformities, plastic surgeons who deal with these patients should have a broad surgical armamentarium tailored to each individual presentation.

Abstract: Posterior Vault Distraction in Multi-Suture Craniosynostosis: A Radiologic Morphometric Assessment

PURPOSE: The first-line treatment of multi-suture syndromic craniosynostosis has shifted to an emphasis on posterior vault distraction (PVD) techniques as a way of increasing intracranial volume. To date, the effect of PVD on craniofacial dysmorphology in these patients has not been well studied. This study was designed to examine the effect of PVD on craniofacial morphology in patients with syndromic multi-suture synostosis using radiologic morphometric analysis. METHODS: With IRB approval, 22 patients (11M, 11F: age 4 to 149 months) with syndromic craniosynostosis (3 Apert, 4 Pfeiffer, 4 Muenke, 3 Crouzon, 2 chromosomal anomaly, 1 craniofrontonasal dysplasia, 5 unknown) underwent PVD for correction of elevated intracranial pressure (n=12) and/or correction of turribrachycephaly (n=16). Morphometric analysis of sequential CT scout radiographs and lateral skull radiographs assessed turricephaly index (TI=cranial length/height), vertical growth index (VGI=cranial base length/height), absolute vertical height (AVH=sella to vertex distance), and occipital inclination angle (OIA). RESULTS: Preoperatively, patients exhibited a mean TI of 1.34 (range=1.02–1.53, SD=0.16), VGI of 0.41 (range=0.26–0.58, SD=0.08), AVH of 107.37mm (range=87.4–149.4, SD=15.38), and OIA of 44.54 degrees (range=12.5–67.2, SD=12.17). PVD (n=18) demonstrated association with increased TI (mean=1.53,p<0.001) and VGI (mean=0.44,p=0.001), while flattening the OIA (mean=37.5,p=0.004). Additional frontal advancement procedures after PVD (n=15) yielded further increase in TI (mean=1.59,p=0.004) and VGI (mean=0.47,p=0.012). AVH did not change significantly once distraction was initiated. CONCLUSIONS: PVD results in significant improvements in craniofacial dysmorphology by increasing calvarial length relative to AVH and flattening occipital inclination, effectively normalizing turricephalic proportions. These results are improved by further frontal advancement surgery. AVH does not appear to increase or decrease after PVD initiation, suggesting aesthetic benefits are due to calvarial length attaining proportion to pre-treatment cranial height.

Craniofrontonasal dysplasia syndrome: A rare case

Craniofrontonasal dysplasia syndrome (CFND) (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database Number 304110), first described as a distinct entity by Professor Michael Cohen from Canada in 1979, is a very rare X-linked inherited disorder characterized by abnormalities of the head and face (cranio-facial area), hands and feet, and certain skeletal bones. Phenotypic expression varies greatly amongst affected individuals, where females are more commonly and generally more severely affected than males. We are presenting a newborn with this rare and peculiar syndrome, probably the first case from India to make physicians aware of this condition, so that more number of cases are being reported to help establishing an uniform clinical diagnostic criteria for CFND in the near future.

Craniofrontonasal Dysplasia

Craniofrontonasal dysplasia's (CFND's) phenotypic range includes hypertelorism, coronal craniosynostosis, frontonasal dysplasia, and digital anomalies. The variable expression is paradoxical for an X-linked syndrome because hemizygous males are less affected than heterozygous females. We describe a case of CFND due to a c.30>T EFNB1 gene mutation. In place of the typical craniosynostosis found in CFND, she presented with a superiorly displaced nasion and an anomalously positioned frontonasal suture. This report reveals an unreported malformation in CFND and its surgical implications.

Spring-assisted posterior vault expansion in multisuture craniosynostosis

Patients with Apert and Crouzon syndromes and craniofrontonasal dysplasia need a vault expansion within the first year of life to treat or prevent the development of raised intracranial pressure. Many craniofacial units perform a conventional posterior vault expansion as initial surgery; an alternative to this technique is the spring-assisted posterior vault expansion. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of spring-assisted posterior vault expansion and to compare this technique with the conventional method. A retrospective study was conducted among all consecutive patients who received a posterior vault expansion between 2006 and 2011. Patients treated with springs were compared with patients treated with the conventional technique for blood loss, duration of surgery, postoperative hospital admittance, increase in skull circumference and anterior-posterior length, and complications. Of the 31 included patients, 15 were treated with springs, and 16, with the conventional technique. Patients treated with springs had a significantly larger increase in skull circumference and anterior-posterior length, and not significant changes in blood loss compared with the conventional group. Complications in the conventional group were the following: minor dural tear in three patients, problematic wound healing in one patient, and insufficient expansion in one patient. Spring-related complications included skin perforation in two patients, a minor dural tear in two patients, and leakage of cerebrospinal fluid after an unnoticed dural tear during spring placement in one patient. Spring-assisted posterior vault expansion has some advantages over the conventional technique and is, therefore, the preferred technique in our center.

Male With Mosaicism for Supernumerary Ring X Chromosome

Supernumerary, derivative, and ring X chromosomes are relatively common in Turner syndrome females but have been reported rarely in males. To date, less than 10 cases have been published, of which only 2 have been partially characterized in defining the breakpoints and genetic content of the derivative X chromosome. We describe a male with mosaicism for a supernumerary X chromosome (46,XY/47,XY, r(X)) who has multiple congenital anomalies, including features of craniofrontonasal dysplasia (Mendelian Inheritance in Man 304110) and the presence of ectopic female reproductive organs. Using comparative genomic hybridization array mapping, we determined that the derivative X is composed of a 24-Mb fragment that contains the regions Xp11.3 through Xq13.1 and lacks the XIST gene. This is the first report to describe a detailed molecular characterization of a ring X chromosome in a male by comparative genomic hybridization array analysis. We compare the clinical and molecular findings in this patient to other 46,XY, r(X) patients reported in the literature and discuss the potential role of disomy for known genes contained on the ring X chromosome.

Craniofrontonasal dysplasia associated with Chiari malformation

Craniofrontonasal dysplasia (CFND) is a rare developmental anomaly associated with an X-linked inheritance. It is predominantly expressed in females. A Chiari malformation (CM) has not been reported in such patients earlier. The authors report on a family with 3 female members who have marked and generalized CFND. The generalized bone dysplasia/hypertrophy resulted in reduction in the posterior cranial fossa volume in all 3 patients, and in a CM associated with syringomyelia in 2 of them. One of the 2 affected family members who had a CM and syringomyelia was symptomatic and was treated by foramen magnum decompression surgery. The 3 family members had remarkable similarity in their external facial features and in their radiologically revealed morphological features. A review of the relevant literature, genetic abnormalities, and pattern of inheritance is presented.

Craniofrontonasal Dysplasia: A Surgical Treatment Algorithm

Craniofrontonasal dysplasia is a rare, familial X-linked syndrome with coronal synostosis (brachycephaly or plagiocephaly), hypertelorbitism (frequently asymmetric), and extracranial anomalies. Details of the timing and technique of the craniofacial correction have not been well described. The largest series of patients with craniofrontonasal dysplasia treated at a single institution was used for review. A review of patients at the University of California, Los Angeles Craniofacial Clinic with the diagnosis of craniofrontonasal dysplasia was performed (n = 21). Data included office, hospital, and operative records; photographs; lateral cephalograms; and three-dimensional computed tomographic scans. Based on surgical outcomes, a treatment algorithm was created. Fourteen patients were female, seven were male, and five had a family history of craniofrontonasal dysplasia (24 percent). Eight patients had unilateral coronal synostosis (plagiocephaly) and 13 had bilateral coronal synostosis (brachycephaly). Eleven patients had asymmetric hypertelorbitism and 10 had symmetric hypertelorbitism. Patients also had cleft lip-cleft palate (10 percent), ear deformities (19 percent), strabismus or esotropia (81 percent), dry frizzy hair (100 percent), syndactyly (14 percent), and nail (100 percent) or other anomalies. After fronto-orbital advancement, no patients had increased intracranial pressure problems or difficulty related to resynostosis. After hypertelorbitism correction, three patients relapsed. Because of this, correction in later patients was delayed until after eruption of permanent maxillary incisors. The mean anterior interorbital distance was reduced in patients from 184 percent to 98 percent of sex-matched controls. The phenotypic expression of craniofrontonasal dysplasia is described to recognize patients early. A treatment algorithm for craniofrontonasal dysplasia based on timing and technique is offered to decrease the need for revision and improve outcomes.

Contiguous gene deletions involving EFNB1, OPHN1, PJA1 and EDA in patients with craniofrontonasal syndrome

Craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS [MIM 304110]) is an X-linked malformation syndrome characterized by craniofrontonasal dysplasia and extracranial manifestations in heterozygous females. In the majority of patients CFNS is caused by mutations in the EFNB1 gene (MIM 300035). We identified three girls with classical CFNS and mild developmental delay harboring de novo deletions of the EFNB1 gene. Applying haplotype analysis, Southern blot hybridization and array-comparative genomic hybridization, deletion of EFNB1 was found to be part of contiguous gene deletions in the patients. In one patient the deletion interval includes the genes for oligophrenin-1 (OPHN1 [MIM 300127]) and praja 1 (PJA1 [MIM 300420]). In the second patient the deletion includes OPHN1, PJA1 and the gene for ectodysplasin A (EDA [MIM 300451]). In the third patient EFNB1 gene deletion may include deletion of regulatory regions 5' of OPHN1. Previously, the OPHN1 gene has been shown to be responsible for recessive X-linked mental retardation. Although it is too early to predict the future cognitive performance of the two infant patients with contiguous gene deletions of OPHN1-EFNB1-PJA1, mild learning disabilities have been recognized in the older, third patient. It is important for genetic counseling to be aware that their male offspring may not only be carriers of CFNS but may also be affected by mental retardation and anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

Visual Manifestations of Craniofrontonasal Dysplasia

In this sample of craniofrontonasal dysplasia, a 44.4% prevalence of visual impairment was observed, with more than half being due to potentially correctable causes of visual loss, including amblyopia and anisometropia. High prevalences of strabismus (88.9%) and V-pattern (55.5%) in craniofrontonasal dysplasia were also demonstrated. All three patients who underwent strabismus surgery showed improvement in ocular alignment postoperatively. This group needs regular eye examinations to assess for visual impairment and provide timely intervention for modifiable causes of visual loss.

Potential blindness: an unusual complication of lateral canthopexy

Lateral canthopexy is a commonly performed procedure in craniofacial and cosmetic surgery. In craniofacial surgery, lateral canthal fixation is performed in conjunction with a wide range of transcranial or subcranial procedures during the process of soft tissue re-suspension. A number of fixation materials have gained popular use. A case of craniofrontonasal dysplasia is reported in which a wire loop canthopexy fixation has become disengaged 3 months after a history of trauma and rotated to present a sharp surface against the sclera. Urgent surgical exploration prevented the apparently imminent complication of globe penetration with associated threat to vision.

Twenty-six novelEFNB1 mutations in familial and sporadic craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS)

Craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS) is an X-linked disorder characterized by a more severe manifestation in heterozygous females than in hemizygous males. Heterozygous females have craniofrontonasal dysplasia (CFND) and occasionally extracranial manifestations including midline defects and skeletal abnormalities, whereas hemizygous males show no or only mild features such as hypertelorism and rarely show cleft lip or palate. Mutations in the EFNB1 gene in Xq12 are responsible for familial and sporadic CFNS. The EFNB1 gene encodes ephrin-B1, a transmembrane ligand that also exhibits receptor-like effects. We performed mutation analysis in nine unrelated families and 29 sporadic patients with CFNS. DNA sequencing revealed mutations in 33 (86.8%) cases including 26 distinct novel mutations. A recurrent nonsense mutation, c.196C>T/R66X, was detected in one family and four sporadic patients. The majority of mutations (26/33) were located in exons 2 and 3 of the EFNB1 gene encoding the extracellular ephrin domain. The mutation spectrum includes frameshift, nonsense, missense, and splice site mutations, with a predominance of frameshift and nonsense mutations resulting in premature truncation codons. For the first time we describe mutations in exons 4 and 5 of EFNB1. Of particular interest are the frameshift mutations located in the last 25 codons of EFNB1 encoding the carboxyterminal end of ephrin-B1. They result in an extension by 44 residues. These mutations disrupt the intracellular binding sites for Grb4 and PDZ-effector proteins involved in reverse signaling. We conclude that the major causes of familial as well as sporadic CFNS are loss of function mutations in the EFNB1 gene that comprise premature termination or abrogate receptor-ligand interaction, oligomerization, and ephrin-B1 reverse signaling.

Further evidence from two families that craniofrontonasal dysplasia maps to Xp22.

Craniofrontonasal dysplasia (CFND) is a rare X-linked disorder that maps to a 13-cM region on Xp22. Phenotypic features include craniosynostosis, hypertelorism and a broad nasal root with or without a bifid nasal tip. Multiple examples have been reported of males having a less severe phenotype than females. We report haplotype analyses in two CFND families over the critical region to which the gene has been mapped. In pedigree 1, a clinically unaffected male inherited the affected marker haplotype spanning the critical region. We suggest that this individual does have the CFND mutation, but has an extremely mild phenotype that is not detectable with clinical examination. Under the assumption that he is an unknown phenotype, a combined two-point LOD score of 1.68 at zero recombination was obtained, increasing the previously reported total to 5.61 (DXS8022). The data do not narrow down the critical region. This result stresses the importance of subjecting fathers of apparently sporadic cases to a highly critical medical examination and may also explain the unequal ratio of reported female-to-male cases.

Craniofrontonasal dysplasia

A series of 10 patients with craniofrontonasal dysplasia presenting to the Oxford Craniofacial Unit since 1983 is presented. In addition to the well-described combination of coronal synostosis and frontonasal dysplasia, 9 patients had very characteristic dry, curly or frizzy hair. All the patients were female. Recognition of the syndrome is important for genetic counselling, although the precise mode of genetic transmission is unclear with females predominating and males being less severely affected. Surgical correction was in two stages: early frontal advancement followed by correction of hypertelorism when the child became aware of the deformity. Four patients had their craniosynostosis treated in the Oxford Craniofacial Unit. Three patients had previously had frontal remodelling elsewhere. Nine patients had surgery for hypertelorism. The preferred technique for hypertelorism correction was facial bipartition. Following hypertelorism correction, the excess skin was allowed to redrape and subsequently dealt with by medial canthoplasties, thus avoiding a midline scar. Careful attention to the primary frontal advancement procedure is important to avoid complications following difficult dissection of the frontal bone flap at the time of hypertelorism correction.