Anaesthetic implications of Nager syndrome

Nager acrofacial dysostosis is an oromandibular hypogenesis syndrome with associated limb abnormalities. Although it shares some phenotypic features with Treacher-Collins syndrome, it is recognized as a separate disorder. The physical features of Nager syndrome include down slanted palpebral fissures, malar hypoplasia, a high nasal bridge, atretic external auditory canals, cleft palate and micrognathia. Preaxial limb malformations include absent or hypoplastic thumbs, hypoplasia of the radius and shortened humeral bones. Of primary concern to the anaesthetist are the midface and mandibular manifestations which may complicate perioperative airway management. These problems may also manifest in the postoperative period with airway obstruction. Associated defects have included vertebral malformations with reports of cervical spine involvement, congenital cardiac defects and upper limb defects affecting the preaxial or radial side. We describe a 7-year-old boy with Nager syndrome who required anaesthetic care during placement of a syringopleural shunt for drainage of a spinal cord syrinx. The perioperative implications of this disorder are reviewed.