eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: Genetics and Metabolic Disease > Genetics

Crouzon Syndrome: Treatment & Medication

Author: Harold Chen, MD, MS, FAAP, FACMG, Professor, Departments of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pathology, Director of Genetic Laboratory Services, Louisiana State University Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Sep 10, 2009

Treatment

Medical Care

  • A high prevalence of visual impairment in patients with craniosynostotic syndromes such as Crouzon syndrome was reported; almost half of the cases were due to potentially correctable causes, including amblyopia and ametropia.11 Optic atrophy remains an important cause of visual impairment.
  • Early detection of eye problems to reduce amblyopia by correction of refractory errors and timely treatment of strabismus and patching is indicated. Optic atrophy remains an important cause of visual impairment before decompressive craniectomy.12
  • To relieve airway obstruction, a nasal continuous positive airway pressure device may be needed.
  • Close otologic and audiologic follow-up is indicated to detect sensorineural hearing loss.
  • Management of speech may be necessary.

Surgical Care

  • The goal is to stage reconstruction to coincide with facial growth patterns, visceral function, and psychosocial development.
  • Surgical treatment varies according to the variable expressivity of the disease and usually begins during a child’s first year with fronto-orbital advancement with cranial decompression. Subsequent development of midfacial hypoplasia needs correction. Procedures for this purpose include the Le Fort III osteotomy or its segmental variants, monobloc frontofacial advancement, or bipartition osteotomy.13
  • Early craniectomy with frontal bone advancement is most often indicated to prevent or treat increased intracranial pressure because newborns with Crouzon syndrome develop multiple suture synostoses and fused synchondroses.
  • Fronto-orbital and midfacial advancements help in the cosmetic reconstruction of facial dysmorphisms.
  • A new technique, craniofacial disjunction, followed by gradual bone distraction (Ilizarov procedure) has been reported to produce complete correction of exophthalmos and improvement in the functional and aesthetic aspects of the middle third of the face without the need for bone graft in patients aged 6-11 years.
  • Adult Crouzon syndrome, often presenting with marked midface hypoplasia and exorbitism, can be corrected by orbital decompression and zygomaticomaxillary advancement.13
  • The following treatments may be necessary:
    • Shunting procedures for hydrocephalus
    • Tracheostomy for airway compromise
    • Myringotomy to drain middle ear secretions secondary to distorted nasopharynx
    • Orthodontic management

Consultations

  • Neurosurgeon
  • Neuroradiologist
  • Plastic surgeon
  • Oromaxillofacial surgeon
  • Craniofacial anesthesiologist
  • Orthodontist
  • Dentist
  • Orthopedist
  • Ophthalmologist
  • Clinical geneticist
  • Speech, physical, and occupational therapists
  • Psychosocial team

Diet

  • No special diet is required.

Activity

  • Restriction of activity is not necessary.

Medication

  • Drug therapy currently is not a component of the standard of care for Crouzon syndrome. See Treatment.

More on Crouzon Syndrome

Overview: Crouzon Syndrome
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Crouzon Syndrome
Treatment & Medication: Crouzon Syndrome
Follow-up: Crouzon Syndrome
Multimedia: Crouzon Syndrome
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

acrocephalosyndactyly type II, craniofacial dysostosis, craniostenosis Crouzon type, Crouzon craniofacial dysostosis, calvarial deformities, facial anomalies, exophthalmos, craniosynostosis, Crouzon syndrome, Crouzon's syndrome, hypertelorism, exophthalmos, strabismus, beaked nose, short upper lip, hypoplastic maxilla, mandibular prognathism, fibroblast growth factor receptor-2, FGFR2 gene, FGFR3 gene, FGFR1 gene, upper airway obstruction, respiratory distress, septal deviation, conductive deafness, Ménière disease

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Harold Chen, MD, MS, FAAP, FACMG, Professor, Departments of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pathology, Director of Genetic Laboratory Services, Louisiana State University Medical Center
Harold Chen, MD, MS, FAAP, FACMG is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Society of Human Genetics, and Teratology Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Michael Fasullo, PhD, Senior Scientist, Ordway Research Institute; Associate Professor, State University of New York at Albany; Adjunct Associate Professor, Center for Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College
Michael Fasullo, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Radiation Research Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

David Flannery, MD, FAAP, FACMG, Vice Chair of Education, Chief, Section of Medical Genetics, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia
David Flannery, MD, FAAP, FACMG is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Medical Genetics
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP, Consulting Staff, Freeman Pediatric Care, Freeman Health System
Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Osteopathy, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Bruce Buehler, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Pathology and Microbiology, Executive Director, Hattie B Munroe Center for Human Genetics, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Bruce Buehler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Mental Retardation, American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and Nebraska Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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