Gomez and López-Hernández syndrome

Gomez-López-Hernández syndrome
A young girl showing characteristic bilateral alopecia and angled ears.
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 Q07.8
OMIM 601853
MeSH C537285

Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome (GLH) or cerebellotrigeminal-dermal dysplasia is a rare neurocutaneous(Phakomatosis) disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve and causing several other neural and physical abnormalities.[1] Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome has been diagnosed in only 34 people.[2] Cases of Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome may be under-reported as other diseases share the characteristics of cerebellar malformation shown in Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome.[1][2] Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome was first characterized in 1979.[3]


Characteristics

Physical

Physical characteristics of the syndrome can vary and are not universal. People with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome often have these physical characteristics: short skull(brachycephaly), thin lips, low-set and posterior-angled ears, and scalp alopecia above both ears.[4] This bilateral scalp alopecia is the most consistent physical characteristic of Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome.[5] In addition to the shortness of the skull, it is also misshapen and often flattened on the back.[2] Some people with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome also have wide-set(hypertelorism) and crossed eyes(strabismus).[4] Scarring or clouding of the cornea occurs in the majority of people with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome.[6] A short stature is common.[1]

Neurological

Aside from the physical characteristics of the eyes there is also less sensation in the eyes when stimulated.[4] The eyes also show low motor control(ataxia).[4] Along with ataxia comes a lack of coordination or ability to judge the distance of objects(dysmetria).[6] MRIs have shown a fusion of the cerebellar hemispheres(rhombencephalosynapsis) and absence of the cerebellar vermis in every case of Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez syndrome.[4][7][8] The cerebrum is not fused. Also absent are the trigeminal nerve of the trigeminal cave and the foramen rotundum, causing abnormal sensations on the forehead and the corneas.[8][6] One Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome case in Japan also presents fever-induced seizures.[9] Others may or may not present with non-fever-induced seizures.[4] Malformations of motor centers in the brain cause reduced muscle strength(Hypotonia).[8] Eleven of fifteen people in one study showed moderate-to-severe intellectual disability.[6] In cases where it has been noted, head nodding is present.[6] Hydrocephalus and enlargement of the ventricular system is consistently present. [6] A reduced corpus callosum is present in some cases(agenesis of the corpus callosum).[6]

MRI showing fusion of cerebellar hemispheres common in GLH syndrome

Behavioral

Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome is associated with irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and self-harming behavior.[4] Developmental disabilities often present as intellectual disability with social, occupational, and learning disabilities.[4] Reduced eye sensation may cause self-harm to the eyes with one person putting her fingers into her eyes to the point of causing additional corneal damage beyond what is normally characteristic of the syndrome.[4]

Causes

The exact causes of Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome are currently unknown. Mutations of the ASP2(Beta-secretase 1) gene have been implicated but not confirmed.[4] One case of siblings — both with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome — has been observed, showing possible evidence of recessive inheritance.[2] The Brazilian parents of these siblings showed some degree of inbreeding, being first cousins.[2] Five of the 34 people diagnosed with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome have also come from Brazil.[2] Lack of expression from the WNT1, FGF8, FGF17, OTX2, fgf8, and fgf17 genes have all been implicated as possibly being the cause of cerebellum fusion.[4]

Diagnosis

All cases of Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome present scalp alopecia, varying degrees of low-set ears and most have a flattened skull.[10] Scalp alopecia has been present in all but one case though it can be asymmetrical or, in a single case, only present on one side.[5] All people with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome also have delayed motor milestones.[10] All people with the syndrome have malformation of the cerebellum.[10] Certain characteristics are often present in those with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez syndrome but are not consistent enough to rule out the syndrome if they are not present. Reduced eye sensation, or trigeminal anesthesia, is present in about three-quarters of people with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez syndrome.[5] Malformations of the skull, rotations of the ears, and abnormalities of the face are features that vary widely and cannot be used alone to diagnose Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome as these characteristics overlap with some other diseases.[5] Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome has been diagnosed as early as 21 weeks with prenatal MRI showing fusion of the cerebellum and later confirmed postnatal with skull and facial abnormalities at six weeks.[11]

Management

Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome is rare and similar to other developmental disabilities. Management is similar to other developmental disabilities as there is no cure for malformations of the brain. Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome has been diagnosed mostly in poorer countries.[4] There have been no documented attempts made to educate children with the syndrome(when intellectual disability is present) to establish a baseline of intellectual ability due to these socioeconomic problems.[4]

Prognosis

The oldest person who has been diagnosed with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome was 29 years old at the time of his assessment in 2008.[4] Most people with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome are consistently low weight (3rd-25th percentile) and low stature due to a deficiency of growth hormone.[4] Low mobility is often an issue.[4] The cause of low mobility is thought to be neurological, therefore bone structure is not greatly affected.[4] Seizures may or may not be present and can result in injuries for those who are more mobile.[4] ADHD and bipolar disorder — which are sometimes present — can lead to dangerous behavior or outbursts.[4] While most people with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome show moderate intellectual disability, one case (age 14) has resulted in normal learning and social skills without intervention.[4]

Epidemiology

Most cases have been diagnosed in Latin America with five of the thirty-four being from Brazil.[2] Two of these Brazilians are related by blood(consanguinity) suggesting the possibility of Mendelian inheritance.[2] There has been one case of a Japanese patient with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome so far.[9] Two Armenian cases and two from Europe have been identified, signaling that the perceived prevalence in Latin America may be short-lived as better diagnostic techniques and information about this syndrome become more widespread.[5]

Eponym

Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez Syndrome is named for Manuel Rodríguez Gómez[3] and Alejandro Lopez-Herandez.[12]


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fernández-Jaén A, Fernández-Mayoralas DM, Calleja-Pérez B, Muñoz-Jareño N, Moreno N. (2009). "Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez syndrome: two new cases and review of the literature.". Pediatr Neurol 40 (1): 58–62. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2008.10.001. PMID 19068257.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 de Mattos VF, Graziadio C, Machado Rosa RF, Lenhardt R, Alves RP, Trevisan P, Paskulin GA, Zen PR. (2014). "Gómez-López-Hernández syndrome in a child born to consanguineous parents: new evidence for an autosomal-recessive pattern of inheritance?". Pediatr Neurol 50 (6): 612–5. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2014.01.035. PMID 24690526.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gomez MR (1979). "Cerebellotrigeminal and focal dermal dysplasia: a newly recognized neurocutaneous syndrome.". Brain Dev 1 (4): 253–6. PMID 95427.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 Gomy I, Heck B, Santos AC, Figueiredo MS, Martinelli CE Jr, Nogueira MP, Pina-Neto JM. (2008). "Two new Brazilian patients with Gómez-López-Hernández syndrome: reviewing the expanded phenotype with molecular insights.". Am J Med Genet A 146A (5): 649–57. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.32173. PMID 18247421.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Sukhudyan B, Jaladyan V, Melikyan G, Schlump JU, Boltshauser E, Poretti A. (2013). "Gómez-López-Hernández syndrome: reappraisal of the diagnostic criteria.". Eur J Pediatr. 169 (12): 1523–8. doi:10.1007/s00431-010-1259-7. PMID 20652311.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Poretti A, Bartholdi D, Gobara S, Alber FD, Boltshauser E. (2008). "Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez syndrome: an easily missed diagnosis." 51 (3). pp. 198–208. doi:10.1016/j.ejmg.2008.01.004. PMID 18342593.
  7. ↑ Abdel-Salam GM, Abdel-Hadi S, Thomas MM, Eid OM, Ali MM, Afifi HH. (2014). "Gómez-López-hernández syndrome versus rhombencephalosynapsis spectrum: a rare co-occurrence with bipartite parietal bone.". Am J Med Genet A 164A (2): 480–3. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.36276. PMID 24311025.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Choudhri AF, Patel RM, Wilroy RS, Pivnick EK, Whitehead MT. (2015). "GTrigeminal nerve agenesis with absence of foramina rotunda in Gómez-López-Hernández syndrome.". Am J Med Genet A 167A (1): 238–42. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.36830. PMID 25339626.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kobayashi Y, Kawashima H, Magara S, Akasaka N, Tohyama J. (2015). "Gómez-López-Hernández syndrome in a Japanese patient: a case report.". Brain Dev 37 (3): 356–8. doi:10.1016/j.braindev.2014.05.002. PMID 24856766.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Rush ET, Adam MP, Clark RD, Curry C, Hartmann JE, Dobyns WB, Olney AH. (2013). "Four new patients with Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez syndrome and proposed diagnostic criteria.". Am J Med Genet A 161A (2): 320–6. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.35817. PMID 23292994.
  11. ↑ Tan TY, McGillivray G, Goergen SK, White SM. (2005). "GPrenatal magnetic resonance imaging in Gomez-Lopez-Hernandez syndrome and review of the literature." 138 (4). pp. 369–73. PMID 16158443.
  12. ↑ Lopez-Hernandez, A (2013). "Craniosynostosis, ataxia, trigeminal anaesthesia and parietal alopecia with pons-vermis fusion anomaly (atresia of the fourth ventricle). Report of two cases.". Neuropediatrics 13 (2): 99–102. PMID 7133329.