The diagnostic significance and management of Gardner's syndrome

Gardner's syndrome is a hereditary disorder characterised by gastrointestinal polyposis, bony osteomata, epidermoid cysts, desmoid tumours and unerupted teeth and odontomes. The major significance of the condition lies in the gastrointestinal polyposis and the high propensity of these polyps to undergo malignant change. The syndrome is no longer considered as a separate genetic entity to familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and the multiple stigmata are common to both conditions. A case of Gardner's syndrome is reported and the condition reviewed. The aim being to emphasise those features seen in the head and neck region and their particular importance in terms of early recognition and diagnosis of the underlying disease. The subsequent management of such patients is discussed.