questionsandanswers

Q.
What is Goldenhar Syndrome?

A.
Goldenhar Syndrome is a congenital condition that deals with many different birth defects. Not all are present in each case there are many varying degrees of its severity.

Q.
What is the difference between Hemifacial Microsomia and Goldenhar Syndrome?

A.
Both are a condition in which one side of the face is smaller than the other. Goldenhar will also include issues involving the eye and the spine. Both will include the jaw, ear and facial bony structures.

Q.
Why did this happen?

A.
Doctors are uncertain why Goldenhar occurs. However, it is theorized that some sort of in-utero trauma exposure may have led to this condition. There is also some minimal evidence that there may be a weak genetic link. Environmental factors may play a part and there does seem to be an increased incidence of Goldenhar among the children of Gulf War Veterans.

Q.
What do they look for, physically, to make a diagnosis?

A.
A child with Hemifacial Microsomia or Goldenhar Syndrome will have a difference in the size between the two sides of the face-a small jaw, smaller on one side than the other, Microtia in the ear, and ear tags. The face may become more pronounced as the child gets older.

Q.
Is it still Hemifacial Microsomia if both sides of the face seem to be affected?

A.
Yes. In fact, in approximately 15% of children with Hemifacial Microsomia, both sides of the face were affected-although the two sides were not affected equally.

Q.
When can they fix the asymmetry of the face?

A.
There is some controversy concerning the optimal time of surgical intervention. However, the recommendation by most craniofacial teams at present is to consider an early surgical correction, with distraction osteogenesis treatment as early as age 2.