eMedicine Specialties > Orthopedic Surgery > Spine

Klippel-Feil Syndrome: Follow-up

Author: J Andy Sullivan, MD, Clinical Professor of Pediatric Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jun 23, 2009

Outcome and Prognosis

The prognosis for Klippel-Feil syndrome depends on the specific anomalies. Careful evaluation, consistent follow-up, and coordination with other providers are required to avoid pitfalls and to avoid missing any diagnoses. The classification system created by Samartzis and colleagues is useful in predicting which patients may develop symptoms.

Future and Controversies

The true etiology and incidence of Klippel-Feil syndrome are unknown. The syndrome can occur in association with a wide variety of anomalies. Further studies may reveal the cause. The cervical anomaly is a failure of segmentation that occurs in early fetal life. To discover a cause and devise prevention or treatment is a challenge.

 


More on Klippel-Feil Syndrome

Overview: Klippel-Feil Syndrome
Workup: Klippel-Feil Syndrome
Treatment: Klippel-Feil Syndrome
Follow-up: Klippel-Feil Syndrome
Multimedia: Klippel-Feil Syndrome
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

Klippel-Feil syndrome, Klippel-Feil disease, Klippel Feil, low hairline, short neck, cervical spine disorder, synkinesia, Klippel Feil syndrome

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

J Andy Sullivan, MD, Clinical Professor of Pediatric Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
J Andy Sullivan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Orthopaedic Association, Oklahoma State Medical Association, and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

K Daniel Riew, MD, Mildred B Simon Distinguished Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Professor of Neurologic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine; Chief, Cervical Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
K Daniel Riew, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, AO Foundation, Cervical Spine Research Society, North American Spine Society, and Scoliosis Research Society
Disclosure: Medtronic Grant/research funds None; Medtronic Royalty Medtronic Vertex; Biomet Royalty Maxan anterior cervical plate; Osprey Royalty Interbody Graft; Osprey Ownership interest Consulting; SpineMedica Consulting fee Consulting

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

William O Shaffer, MD, Professor, Vice-Chairman and Residency Program Director, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kentucky at Lexington
William O Shaffer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, Kentucky Medical Association, Kentucky Orthopaedic Society, North American Spine Society, Southern Medical Association, and Southern Orthopaedic Association
Disclosure: DePuySpine 1997-2007 (not presently) Royalty Consulting; DePuySpine 2002-2007 (closed) Grant/research funds SacroPelvic Instrumentation Biomechanical Study; DePuyBiologics 2005-2008 (closed) Grant/research funds Healos study just closed; No present Industry grants or funds. None None

CME Editor

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS, Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital
Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, American College of International Physicians, and American College of Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Mary Ann E Keenan, MD, Professor, Vice Chair for Graduate Medical Education, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief of Neuro-Orthopedics Program, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Mary Ann E Keenan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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