[Morphological alterations of oto-mandibular syndromes]

Otomandibular dysplasia is a congenital malformation defined by a certain degree of temporomandibular or pterygomandibular hypoplasia. The syndrome is characterised by the variability of clinical findings, but the three major features are auricular, mandibular and maxillary hypoplasia. All the laterofacial structures may be affected. The deformity is usually unilateral but bilateral cases exist; a lot of associated malformations have been described. Multiple classification systems have been published. Some of them are very complex, but it is possible to define a simple diagnostic diagram based on ethiopathogenic data. Bilateral involvement affects predominantly the zygoma, and concerns hereditary syndromes. When the mandibular hypoplasia is evident Franceschetti or Goldenhar syndrome is suspected; otherwise Treacher-Collins syndrome is probable. Unilateral cases are not, in general, hereditary and the hypoplasia predominates on the mandible. The difference between hemifacial microsomia or mandibular dysplasia is made by the presence of associated laterofacial deformities.