Crouzon Syndrome with Acanthosis Nigricans – Craniofacial Abnormalities

Craniofacial is a medical term that relates to the bones of the skull and face. Craniofacial abnormalities are birth defects of the face or head. Some, like cleft lip and palate, are among the most common of all birth defects. Others are very rare. Most of them affect how a person’s face or head looks. These conditions may also affect other parts of the body.

Treatment depends on the type of problem. Plastic and reconstructive surgery may help the person’s appearance.

• Apert syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Cleidocranial dysostosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Craniosynostosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Craniosynostosis repair (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Head and face reconstruction (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pierre Robin syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia)

Crouzon syndrome with acanthosis nigricans is a disorder characterized by the premature joining of certain bones of the skull (craniosynostosis) during development and a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans.The signs and symptoms of Crouzon syndrome with acanthosis nigricans overlap with those of a similar condition called Crouzon syndrome. Both conditions involve premature fusion of the skull bones, which affects the shape of the head and face. Other common features of both conditions include wide-set, bulging eyes due to shallow eye sockets; eyes that do not point in the same direction (strabismus); a small, beaked nose; and a flat or sunken appearance of the middle of the face (midface hypoplasia). Less common features that can occur in either disorder include an opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate), dental problems, or hearing loss. People with Crouzon syndrome or Crouzon syndrome with acanthosis nigricans usually have normal intelligence.Crouzon syndrome with acanthosis nigricans is distinguished from Crouzon syndrome by several features, including skin abnormalities. Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition characterized by thick, dark, velvety skin in body folds and creases, including the neck and underarms. People with Crouzon syndrome with acanthosis nigricans may also have other skin abnormalities; for example, scars in the thick, dark areas of skin are flat and pale. These scars are usually from surgical procedures that are commonly needed in affected individuals. Additionally, in some people with the condition, one or both nasal passages are narrowed (choanal stenosis) or completely blocked (choanal atresia), which can cause difficulty breathing. A buildup of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus) can also occur. Nasal passage abnormalities and hydrocephalus are rare in Crouzon syndrome. Less common features of Crouzon syndrome with acanthosis nigricans include subtle changes in the bones of the spine (vertebrae), abnormalities of the finger bones, and noncancerous growths in the jaw called cementomas.