New Pattern of Sutural Synostosis Associated With TWIST Gene Mutation and Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome: Peace Sign Synostosis

Publication Date

2015

Journal Title

J Craniofac Surg

Abstract

The authors present a new and unique pattern of sutural fusion "peace sign synostosis" (PSS) characterized by synostosis of the metopic, bicoronal, and sagittal sutures and associated with abnormalities of the TWIST1 gene known to be associated with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS). To do so, we performed a retrospective review of patients with bicoronal, metopic, and at least partial anterior sagittal synostoses at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Seattle Children's Hospital. Patients' demographics, genetic analysis, perioperative and clinic notes were reviewed. Five patients were identified with PSS and abnormalities of TWIST1 consistent with SCS. One patient, with the longest follow-up of 7 years, underwent 5 intracranial procedures and required a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. The remaining 4 patients underwent posterior cranial vault distraction as the initial procedure, followed by anterior cranial vault remodeling. Two patients required a VP shunt. To conclude, synostosis of the metopic, bicoronal, and sagittal sutures (PSS) appears to be associated with SCS and produces a characteristic skull morphology that can be readily identified on physical examination. Early data suggest a high rate of reoperation, increased necessity for a VP shunt, and potential complications. Of note, this novel phenotype had not been previously observed at our respective institutions, reported in the literature, or observed in association with TWIST1 abnormalities as described in association with SCS.

Volume Number

26

Issue Number

5

Pages

1564-7

Document Type

Article

EPub Date

2015/06/27

Status

Faculty

Facility

School of Medicine

Primary Department

Surgery

PMID

26114524

DOI

10.1097/scs.0000000000001884

For the public and Northwell Health campuses

Share

COinS