Fusion of maxillary and mandibular alveolar process together with a median mandibular cleft: a rare congenital anomaly

Clinical Correction of Complete Median Cleft of the Mandible and Lower Lip: A 17-Year Follow-Up of a Case Report With Literature Review

The median cleft of the mandible and lower lip is an extremely rare congenital maxillofacial deformity, and the therapeutic options are controversial. To evaluate the clinical characteristics and identify a better choice of treatment modes used among us and others, we reviewed 34 relevant literature and herein describe a 17-year follow-up of a case with a median cleft of the mandible and lower lip. Based on the literature and our case with good functional and aesthetical outcomes, we propose a prospective clinical treatment: Patients of Tessier 30 cleft associated with cleft of the mandible could undergo mandibular repair after puberty in conditions of a good occlusal relationship and normal maxillofacial development, even with mild masticatory dysfunction.

Congenital Maxillomandibular Syngnathia: Review of Literature and Proposed New Classification System

PURPOSE

Maxillomandibular fusion (syngnathia) is a rare craniofacial anomaly. It occurs as either fibrous (synechiae) or bony (synostosis) fusion of jaw or fusion of mandible to zygoma, tuberosity, hard palate and temporal bone. There are several documentations delineating this condition but owing to its varying presentation, association with both intraoral and extraoral anomalies and syndromes, reviewing it has been as uphill task. The non-unanimous description of cases in the literature and the use of different nomenclatures make it difficult to classify this condition.

METHODS

Extensive search of the literature was done from the year 1936 to 2018 which included a total of 118 cases with 62 cases of bony fusion, 48 cases of fibrous fusion and 8 cases of combined fusion, i.e., fibrous on one site and bony on another side.

RESULTS

This paper proposes a novel, simple and explicit classification system on the basis of nature of fusing tissues, location and extent, association with syndrome after reviewing the existing literature. Furthermore, this review reports 4 new cases of syngnathia along with their clinical, radiographic features and their management protocol.

CONCLUSIONS

This classification can be generalized to all the cases of syngnathia and can further facilitate in its appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Syngnathia-Congenital Maxillomandibular fusion: Case Report and Literature Review

Congenital maxillomandibular fusion is a rare disorder of the craniofacial region. Maintenance of the airway and difficulty in feeding are the main concerns for such patients. We performed a PubMed search to identify reported cases of syngnathia. With reference to the site of fusion and corresponding anomalies, the available studies were reviewed. The maxillomandibular fusion can be anterior fusion, unilateral or bilateral fusion, and complete fusion. The condition can be an isolated problem or associated with a syndrome. The condition requires immediate attention because it can be fatal. A case of isolated unilateral syngnathia, with the detailed review of the published data, is reported.

Congenital intra-oral adhesions: a surgical approach to cleft palate lateral synechia syndrome

An array of genetic syndromes has been associated with intra-oral adhesions in neonates. The primary medical issues arise from airway obstruction, feeding difficulties and poor oral development, specifically with cleft palate lateral synechia syndrome (CPLSS). Despite this, a paucity of data exists for the clinical management of intra-oral adhesions in this population. We report the cases of a father and daughter diagnosed with CPLSS who presented with respiratory and feeding difficulties at birth undergoing surgical correction. Early surgical ligation of intra-oral bands allows for a stabilization of the airway, improved feeding and oral development with a good long-term outcome.

Mouse Models of Rare Craniofacial Disorders

A rare disease is defined as a condition that affects less than 1 in 2000 individuals. Currently more than 7000 rare diseases have been documented, and most are thought to be of genetic origin. Rare diseases primarily affect children, and congenital craniofacial syndromes and disorders constitute a significant proportion of rare diseases, with over 700 having been described to date. Modeling craniofacial disorders in animal models has been instrumental in uncovering the etiology and pathogenesis of numerous conditions and in some cases has even led to potential therapeutic avenues for their prevention. In this chapter, we focus primarily on two general classes of rare disorders, ribosomopathies and ciliopathies, and the surprising finding that the disruption of fundamental, global processes can result in tissue-specific craniofacial defects. In addition, we discuss recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of an extremely rare and specific craniofacial condition known as syngnathia, based on the first mouse models for this condition. Approximately 1% of all babies are born with a minor or major developmental anomaly, and individuals suffering from rare diseases deserve the same quality of treatment and care and attention to their disease as other patients.

Congenital Syngnathia: Case Report and Review of Literature

Congenital bony fusion of the maxilla and mandible, especially as an isolated occurrence, is a very rare condition. The very few cases reported in the literature are mostly inadequate in description and confusing in nomenclature. An isolated case of syngnathia in a 60-year-old female patient with unilateral bony fusion (synostosis) of the maxilla and mandible associated with fibrous adhesions (synechiae) of the opposite site is reported. The existent literature is also reviewed.

Congenital zygomatico-maxillo-mandibular fusion: a brief case report and review of literature

Congenital maxillomandibular fusion (syngnathia) is rare. The first case was reported in 1936. By 2004, only 25 cases of syngnathia had been reported including 6 cases with fusion of the ascending rami of the mandible with the maxilla and zygomatic complex. This report concerns a 6-month-old girl with a type of congenital fusion of the ascending rami of the mandible with the upper alveolar arch and zygomatic complex that leads to restriction of mouth opening. The clinical features of this anomaly and a brief review of literature are presented.

Congenital Fusion of the Maxilla and Mandible

Congenital fusion of the maxilla and mandible (syngnathia) is rare and can present in a wide range of severity from single mucosal bands (synechiae) to complete bony fusion (synostosis). Congenital synostosis of the mandible and maxilla is even less common than synechiae, with only 25 cases reported in the literature. Most of them presented as an incomplete, unilateral fusion. A 4-year-old boy was referred to the authors' emergency unit with asphyxia after vomiting. The authors found the child could not open his mouth. His upper and lower jaws were fused, with only a 2- to 3-mm gap in the anterior part. X-rays and computed tomography scans showed that there was a bony fusion of the ramus of the mandible to the zygomatic complex and the posterior part of the maxilla. In addition, there was significant mandible hypoplasia. After performing an osteotomy (to treat the fusion between the bilateral ramus mandible, maxilla, and zygoma), the authors performed a temporomandibular joint reconstruction using a silicon block. After the completion of these procedures, they observed that the mouth could be opened 32 mm. After 2 years of mandibular lengthening performed with an external distracter, the patient's facial appearance and occlusion became more acceptable. An extremely rare case is described, and the existing literature is reviewed.

Acquired syngnathia

We report two cases of acquired syngnathia, in case 1 probably as a result of a fibrotic tubed pedicle and in case 2 from myositis ossificans. The treatment plan for syngnathia must include not only operation but also a rehabilitation programme (particularly muscle training)

Complete bony fusion of the mandible to the zygomatic complex and maxillary tuberosity: case report and review

Congenital craniofacial disorders represent approximately 20% of all birth defects. One of these disorders is syngnathia, of which only 24 cases have been reported since 1936. Twenty cases involved fusion of the alveolar processes of the maxilla and mandible. Only four are similar to the presented case, which includes bony fusion of the ascending ramus of the mandible to the zygomatic complex and the posterior part of the maxilla. This case report will present details from the 23rd week of gestation to 8 months of age when the infant underwent the first attempt to free the syngnathia. The literature is discussed and a causative mechanism and new classification are proposed.