Treacher Collins syndrome

Treacher Collins syndrome
Classification and external resources
ICD-10	Q75.4
ICD-9	756.0
OMIM	154500
DiseasesDB	13267
MedlinePlus	001659
eMedicine	plastic/183
MeSH	D008342

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS), also known as Treacher Collins–Franceschetti syndrome,^[1] or mandibulofacial dysostosis^[2] is a rare autosomal dominant congenital disorder characterized by craniofacial deformities, such as absent cheekbones.^[3]:577 Treacher Collins syndrome is found in about 2 in 100,000^[4] births. In a number of cases a genetic origin is described. The typical physical features include downward slanting eyes, micrognathia (a small lower jaw), conductive hearing loss, underdeveloped zygoma, drooping part of the lateral lower eyelids, and malformed or absent ears.

Contents 1 Eponym 2 Cause 2.1 Kind of mutation 2.2 Function of the TCOF1 gene 2.3 Genetic counselling 3 Signs 4 Diagnosis 4.1 Clinical findings 4.2 Radiological findings 4.3 Radiographs 4.4 CT-scan 4.5 Differential diagnosis 5 Management 5.1 Hearing loss 6 Media portrayals 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

Eponym

It is named after Edward Treacher Collins (1862–1932), the English surgeon and ophthalmologist who described its essential traits in 1900.^[5] In 1949 Franceschetti and Klein described the same condition on their own observations as mandibulofacial dysostosis. The term mandibulofacial dysostosis is used to describe the clinical features.^[6]

Cause

The cause of Treacher Collins Syndrome is a genetic mutation.

Kind of mutation

TCOF1 is the only gene currently known to be associated with TCS, a mutation in this gene being found in 90-95% of the individuals with TCS.^[7][8] However in some individuals with typical symptoms of TCS, mutations in TCOF1 have not been found.^[9] Investigation of the DNA has resulted in the identification of the kind of mutations found in TCOF1. The majority of mutations are small deletions or insertions, though splice site and missense mutations also been identified.^{[7][10][11][12]} Mutation analysis has unveiled more than 100 disease-causing mutations in TCOF1, which are mostly family specific mutations. Only one recurrent mutation accounts for approximately 17% of the cases.^[13]

Function of the TCOF1 gene

TCOF1 codes for a relatively simple, nucleolar protein called Treacle.^[8] Mutations in TCOF1 lead to haploinsufficiency of the Treacle protein.^[14] Haploinsufficiency occurs when a diploid organism has only one functional copy of a gene, because the other copy is inactivated by a mutation. Thereby the other functional gene does not produce enough of a gene-product to have the expected function, resulting in an abnormal disease state. Haploinsufficiency of the Treacle protein leads to a depletion of the neural crest cell precursor, which leads to a reduced number of crest cells migrating to the first and second pharyngeal arches. These crest cells play an important role in the development of the craniofacial appearance.^{[15] [16]} So down regulation of Treacle expression results in craniofacial defects and growth retardation.

Genetic counselling

TCS is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and the penetrance of the affected gene is almost complete.^[17] On the other hand some recent investigations described some rare cases in which the penetrance in TCS was not complete. Causes may be a variable expressivity, an incomplete penetrance ^[18] or germline mosaicism.^[19] Only 40% of the mutations is inherited. The remaining 60% is a result of a de novo mutation.^[20] In the outcome of the disease there is a lot of inter- and intrafamilial variability. This suggests that when an affected child is born, it is important to investigate the parents if the affected gene is present. It could be possible that a parent has a mild and undiagnosed TCS. In this case the risk of having another affected child is 50%. If the parents do not have the affected gene, the recurrence risk appears to be low.^[17] In following generations the severity of the clinical symptoms is increasing.^[11]

Signs

The presentation of symptoms in people with Treacher Collins Syndrome varies. Some individuals may be so mildly affected that they remain undiagnosed, others can have severe facial involvement and life-threatening airway compromise.^[21] Most of the features of TCS are bilateral and are already recognisable at birth. The most life threatening problem of individuals with TCS is a constricted airway, since this can give problems with breathing.

Patients are mostly characterized by the following abnormalities:

• Hypoplasia of the facial bones. Most described is an underdeveloped mandibular and zygomatic bone. This leads to a small and malformed jaw. This mandible hypoplasia can result in a malocclusion.^[7]
• Ear anomalies. The external ear anomalies consist of small, rotated or even absent ears. Also symmetric, bilateral stenosis or atresia of the external auditory canals is described.^[22] In most cases, the ossicles and the middle ear cavity were dysmorphic. Inner ear malformations are rarely described. As a result of these abnormalities a majority of the individuals with TCS are dealing with conductive hearing loss.^[23]
• Most patients experience eye problems, varying from colobomata of the lower eyelids and aplasia of lid lashes to short, downslanting palpebral fissures and missing eyelashes. Vision loss can occur and is associated with strabismus, refractive errors, and anisometropia.^[22][24]
• Cleft palate ^[7]
• Airway problems, which are often a result of mandibular hypoplasia.^[7]

The presence of an abnormally shaped skull is not distinctive for Treacher Collins Syndrome but brachycephaly with bitemporal narrowing is sometimes observed.^[22]

Dental anomalies are seen in 60% of TCS patients. These anomalies consist in tooth agenesis (33%), enamel disformaties (20%) and malplacement of the maxillary first molars (13%). In some cases dental anomalies in combination with mandible hypoplasia result in a malocclusion, this can lead to problems with food intake and the ability to close the mouth.

Some features related to TCS are seen less frequently:^[7]

• Nasal deformity
• High-arched palate
• Coloboma of the upper lid ^[25]
• Ocular hypertelorism ^[25]
• Choanal atresia
• Macrostomia
• Preauricular hair displacement

Facial deformity is nowadays still associated by the general public with developmental delay, and lesser intelligence, but intelligence of patients with TCS is usually normal. The psychological and social problems associated with facial deformity may affect quality of life in a number of patients.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Treacher Collins Syndrome relies upon clinical and radiographic findings.

Clinical findings

There is a set of typical symptoms within Treacher Collins Syndrome. Those symptoms can be detected by a critical clinical view. The wide spectrum of diseases which have similar characteristics make it sometimes difficult to diagnose TCS.^[26] The OMENS classification was developed as a comprehensive and stage-based approach to differentiate the diseases. This acronym describes five distinct dysmorphic manifestations, namely O; orbital asymmetry, M; mandibular hypoplasia, E; auricular deformity, N; nerve development and S; soft-tissue disease. The table below shows the OMENS classification in more detail.^[27]

Orbit

• O0: normal orbital size, position
• O1: abnormal orbital size
• O2: abnormal orbital position
• O3: abnormal orbital size and position

Mandible

• M0: normal mandible
• M1: small mandible and glenoid fossa with short ramus
• M2: ramus short and abnormally shaped

1. 2A: glenoid fossa in anatomical acceptable position
2. 2B: Temperomandibular joint inferiorly (TMJ), medially, anteriorly displaced, with severely hypoplastic condyle

• M3: Complete absence of ramus, glenoid fossa and TMJ

Ear

• E0: normal ear
• E1: Minor hypoplasia and cupping with all structures present
• E2: Absence of external auditory cannel with variable hypoplasia of the concha
• E3: Malposition of the lobule with absent auricle, lobular remnant usually inferior anteriorly displaced

Facial Nerve

• N0: No facial nerve involvement
• N1: Upper facial nerve involvement (temporal or zygomatic branches)
• N2: Lower facial nerve involvement (buccal, mandibular or cervical)
• N3: All branches affected

Soft tissue

• S0: No soft tissue or muscle deficiency
• S1: Minimal tissue or muscle deficiency
• S2: Moderate tissue or muscle deficiency
• S3: Severe tissue or muscle deficiency

Radiological findings

Thereby the radiographic manifestations should confirm the diagnosis. The radiographic evaluation consists radiographs using X-ray and a CT-scan

Radiographs

There are a few techniques which are used to confirm the diagnosis in TCS. An OPG is a panoramic dental X-ray of the upper and lower jaw. It shows a two-dimensional image from ear to ear. Particularly OPG facilitate an accurate post-operative follow-up and monitoring of bone growth under a mono or double-distractor treatment. Thereby some TCS features could be seen on orthopantogram, but there are better techniques to include the whole spectrum of TCS abnormalities instead of showing only the jaw abnormalities.^[26] Another method of radiographic evaluation is taking a X-ray image of the whole head. The lateral cephalometric radiograph in TCS shows hypoplasia of the facial bones, like the malar bone, mandible and the mastoid.^[26] Finally the occipitomental radiographs are used to detect hypoplasia or discontinuity of the zygomatic arch.^[28]

CT-scan

A temporal bone CT using thin slices makes it possible to diagnose the degree of stenosis and atresia of the external auditory channel, the status of the middle ear cavity, the absent or dysplastic and rudimentary ossicles or the inner ear abnormalities such as a deficient cochlea. Two dimensional and 3D CT reconstructions with VRT and bone and skin-surfacing are helpful for more accurate staging and the 3-D planning of mandibular and external ear reconstructive surgery.

Differential diagnosis

There are other diseases which have similar characteristics as Treacher Collins Syndrome. In the differential diagnosis one should consider the acrofacial dysostoses. The facial appearance resembles that of Treacher Collins Syndrome, but there are additional limb abnormalities in those patients. Examples of these diseases are the Nager Syndrome and the Miller Syndrome. The oculoauriculovertebral spectrum should also be considered in the differential diagnosis. An example is Hemifacial Microsomia which primarily affects development of the ear, mouth, and mandible. This anomaly may occur bilaterally. Another disease which belongs to this spectrum is the Goldenhar Syndrome, which includes vertebral abnormalities, epibulbar dermoids and facial deformities.^[29]

Management

The treatment of TCS should be tailored to the specific symptoms and needs of each individual.

The treatment of individuals affected by TCS needs a multidisciplinary approach and may involve the intervention of different professionals. The primary concerns in individuals with TCS are breathing and feeding problems, which are a consequence of the hypoplasia of the mandibula and the obstruction of the hypopharynx by the tongue. Sometimes even a tracheostomy is necessary to maintain an adequate airway.^[30] Also a gastrostomy could be necessary to assure an adequate caloric intake while protecting the airway. Surgery to restore a normal structure of the face is normally performed at defined ages, depending on the development state.^[31]

An overview of the present guidelines:

• If there is a cleft palate, the repair normally takes place at the age of 9–12 months. Before surgery, it is necessary to perform a polysomnography with a palatal plate in place, this may predict the postoperative situation and gives insight on the chance of the presence of OSAS after the operation.^[7][32][33]
• The hearing loss is treated by bone conduction amplification, speech therapy and educational intervention to avoid language/speech problems. The bone-anchored hearing aid (Baha) is an alternative for individuals with ear anomalies ^[34]
• The zygomatic and orbital reconstruction is performed when the cranio-orbitozygomatic bone is completely developed. Usually at the age of 5–7 years. In children an autologous bone graft is mostly used. In combination with this transplantation, lipofilling can be used in the periorbital area to get an optimal result of the reconstruction.
• The reconstruction of the lower eyelid Coloboma includes the use of a myocutaneous flap, which is elevated and in this manner closes the eyelid defect.^[35]
• The external ear reconstruction is usually done when the individual is at least 8 years old. Sometimes also the external auditory canal or middle ear can be treated.
• The optimal age for the maxillomandibular reconstruction is still a major point of discussion, at present, this classification is generally used:^[7]

1. Type I (mild) and Type IIa (moderate) 13–16 years
2. Type IIb (moderate to severe malformation) at skeletal maturity
3. Type III (severe) 6–10 years

• When the teeth are cutting, the teeth should be under supervision of an orthodontist to make sure that there are no abnormalities. If abnormalities like dislocation or an overgrowth of teeth are seen, appropriate action can be undertaken as soon as possible.^[10]
• Orthognatic treatments usually take place after the age of 16 years; at this point all teeth are cut and the jaw and dentures are mature. Whenever OSAS is detected, the level of obstruction is determined through endoscopy of the upper airways. Mandibular advancement can be an effective way to improve both breathing and æsthetics, while a chinplasty only restores the profile.^[7]
• If a nose reconstruction is necessary it is usually performed after the orthognatic surgery and after the age of 18 years.^[7]
• The contour of the facial soft tissues generally requires correction at a later age, because of the facial skeletal maturity. The use of microsurgical methods, like the free flap transfer, has improved the correction of facial soft tissue contours.^[36] Another technique to improve the facial soft tissue contours is lipofilling. For instance, lipofilling is used to reconstruct the eyelids.^[35]

Hearing loss

Hearing loss in Treacher Collins Syndrome is caused by deformed structures in the outer and middle ear. The hearing loss is generally bilateral with a conductive loss of about 50-70 dB. Even in cases with normal auricles and open external auditory canals,the ossicular chain is often malformed^[37].

Attempts to surgically reconstruct the external auditory canal and improve hearing in children with Treacher Collins Syndrome have not yielded positive results^[38]. Auditory rehabilitation with BAHA or a conventional bone conduction aid has proven preferable to surgical reconstruction^[39].

For patients with Treacher Collins Syndrome, Bone Anchored Hearing Aid(BAHA) provides several advantages:

• As early aiding is of the utmost importance for this patient group, the Baha Softband facilitates normal language development^[40]
• Pure tone audiometry (PTA) threshold improvements in the speech spectrum of >40dB have been reported using the Baha Softband in pediatric users with craniofacial anomalies^[41]
• Compared to a conventional bone conduction aid, Baha provides better outcomes both audiologically and esthetically^[42]
• Compared to surgical reconstruction, Baha provides more reliable outcomes and superior audiological results^[43]
• Spontaneous improvement in the quality, pitch and intensity of a patient’s own voice may be seen after Baha aiding^[44]

BAHA is a solution that overcomes a conductive hearing loss resulting from the auricular malformations seen in Treacher Collins Syndrome. Great improvements in language development have been reported after Baha fittings. Also, the Baha Softband provides the possibility of early aiding that is so important in this particular patient group^[45][46]

For Treacher Collins syndrome patients a proper management of symptoms and needs results in a life expectancy that approximates that of the general population.

Media portrayals

A July 1977 New York Times article^[47] that was reprinted in numerous newspapers nationwide over the ensuing weeks, brought this malady to many people's attention for the first time.

Treacher Collins syndrome was featured in the 2005 Discovery Channel documentary, Unmasked: Treacher Collins Syndrome. As of 2008, it was still being shown on Discovery Health and the TLC channels.

The disorder was featured on the show Nip/Tuck, in the episode "Blu Mondae."^[48]

TLC's Born Without a Face^[49] features Juliana Wetmore, who was born with an unusually severe case of this syndrome and is missing 30%–40% of the bones in her face.^[49]

In 2010, BBC Three documentary Love Me, Love My Face^[50] covered the case of a man, Jono Lancaster, with the condition. In 2011, BBC Three returned to Jono to cover his and his partner Laura's quest to start a family,^[2] in So What If My Baby Is Born Like Me?^[51], which first aired as part of a BBC Three season of programmes on parenting.^[52] The first film was replayed on BBC One shortly ahead of the second film's initial BBC Three broadcast. Lancaster's third BBC Three film, Finding My Family on Facebook,^[53] which looked at adoption, aired in 2011.

A young man with TCS was one of a number of people with various face/body-altering medical conditions or injuries to take part in Katie Piper's 2011 Channel 4 television series Katie: My Beautiful Friends.

See also

• Franceschetti-Klein syndrome
• Hearing loss with craniofacial syndromes

References

External links

• a Personal View of Treacher Collins Syndrome
• a Map to help TCS People find each other
• GeneReview/NCBI/NIH/UW entry on Treacher Collins Syndrome
• http://www.friendlyfaces.org/ is a resource for, and network of, individuals with facial differences, parents, families, friends, and health care professionals

Congenital malformations and deformations of musculoskeletal system / musculoskeletal abnormality (Q65–Q76, 754–756.3) Appendicular limb / dysmelia Upper clavicle / shoulder: Cleidocranial dysostosis · Sprengel's deformity · Wallis Zieff Goldblatt syndrome hand deformity: Madelung's deformity · Clinodactyly · Oligodactyly · Polydactyly Lower hip: Dislocation of hip / Hip dysplasia · Upington disease · Coxa valga · Coxa vara knee: Genu valgum · Genu varum · Genu recurvatum · Discoid meniscus · Congenital patellar dislocation · Congenital knee dislocation foot deformity: varus (Club foot / Pigeon toe) · valgus (Flat feet) · Pes cavus · Rocker bottom foot · Hammer toe Either / both dactyly / digit: Polydactyly / Syndactyly (webbed toes) · Arachnodactyly · Cenani Lenz syndactylism · Ectrodactyly · Brachydactyly (Clubbed thumb) reduction deficits / limb: Acheiropodia · ectromelia (Phocomelia · Amelia · Hemimelia) multiple joints: Arthrogryposis · Larsen syndrome · Rapadilino syndrome Axial Craniofacial Craniosynostosis: Scaphocephaly · Oxycephaly · Trigonocephaly Craniofacial dysostosis: Crouzon syndrome · Hypertelorism · Hallermann-Streiff syndrome · Treacher-Collins syndrome other: Macrocephaly · Platybasia · Craniodiaphyseal dysplasia · Dolichocephaly · Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome · Plagiocephaly · Saddle nose Vertebral column spinal curvature (Scoliosis) · Klippel-Feil syndrome · Spondylolisthesis · Spina bifida occulta · Sacralization Thoracic skeleton ribs: Cervical · Bifid sternum: Pectus excavatum · Pectus carinatum M: JNT anat(h/c, u, t, l)/phys noco(arth/defr/back/soft)/cong, sysi/epon, injr proc, drug(M01C, M4)

Nucleus diseases Telomere Revesz syndrome Nucleolus Treacher–Collins syndrome · Spinocerebellar ataxia 7 Cajal body: Survival motor neuron spinal muscular atrophy Centromere CENPJ (Seckel syndrome 4) Other AAAS (Triple-A syndrome) · Laminopathy · SMC1A/SMC3 (Cornelia de Lange Syndrome) · SETBP1 (Schinzel–Giedion syndrome) see also nucleus B structural (perx, skel, cili, mito, nucl, sclr) · DNA/RNA/protein synthesis (drep, trfc, tscr, tltn) · membrane (icha, slcr, atpa, abct, othr) · transduction (iter, csrc, itra), trfk