Klippel-Feil syndrome

Klippel-Feil Syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the congenital fusion of two or more cervical (neck) vertebrae.

Cause

It is caused by a failure in the normal segmentation or division of the cervical vertebrae during the early weeks of fetal development. Most cases are sporadic (happen on their own) but mutations in the GDF6 (growth differentiation factor 6) or GDF3 (growth differentiation factor 3) genes can cause the disorder. These genes make proteins that are involved in bone development and segmentation of the vertebrae.

Signs and symptoms

The most common signs of the disorder are short neck, low hairline at the back of the head, and restricted mobility of the upper spine. The fused vertebrae can cause nerve damage and pain in the head, neck, or back. Associated abnormalities may include scoliosis (curvature of the spine), spina bifida (a birth defect of the spine), cleft palate, respiratory problems, and heart malformations. Other features may include joint pain; anomalies of the head and face, skeleton, sex organs, muscles, brain and spinal cord, arms, legs, and fingers; and difficulties hearing.

Treatment

Treatment for Klippel-Feil Syndrome is symptomatic and may include surgery to relieve cervical or craniocervical instability and constriction of the spinal cord, and to correct scoliosis. Physical therapy may also be useful.

Prognosis

The prognosis for most individuals with Klippel-Feil Syndrome is good if the disorder is treated early and appropriately. Activities that can injure the neck should be avoided.

External links

• Klippel-Feil syndrome at Curlie

Classification	ICD-10: Q76.1 ICD-9-CM: 756.16 OMIM: 118100 Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) 214300 MeSH: D007714 DiseasesDB: 7197
External resources	eMedicine: orthoped/408

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