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Klippel-Feil syndrome

MedGen UID:
9645
Concept ID:
C0022738
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: Cervical C2/C3 vertebral fusion; Cervical vertebral fusion autosomal dominant; Cervical vertebral fusion autosomal recessive; Klippel Feil syndrome autosomal dominant
SNOMED CT: Klippel-Feil sequence (5601008); Klippel-Feil syndrome (5601008); Klippel-Feil deformity (5601008); Cervical vertebral fusion syndrome (5601008); Cervical vertebral fusion (5601008); Cervical fusion syndrome (5601008); KFS - Klippel-Feil syndrome (5601008); Congenital dystrophia brevicollis (388981000); Nielsen's disease (388981000); Bonnevie-Ullrich and Klippel-Feil syndrome (388981000)
 
Related genes: GDF6, MYO18B, GDF3, MEOX1
 
HPO: HP:0004602
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0001029
OMIM® Phenotypic series: PS118100

Definition

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a congenital anomaly characterized by a defect in the formation or segmentation of the cervical vertebrae, resulting in a fused appearance. The clinical triad consists of short neck, low posterior hairline, and limited neck movement, although less than 50% of patients demonstrate all 3 clinical features (Tracy et al., 2004). Genetic Heterogeneity of Klippel-Feil Syndrome Additional forms of KFS include autosomal recessive KFS2 (214300), caused by mutation in the MEOX1 gene (600147) on chromosome 17q21, autosomal dominant KFS3 (613702), caused by mutation in the GDF3 gene (606522) on chromosome 12p13, and autosomal recessive KFS4 (616549), caused by mutation in the MYO18B gene (607295) on chromosome 22q12. See also MURCS association (601076), in which Klippel-Feil anomaly is associated with urogenital anomalies. [from OMIM]

Additional description

From MedlinePlus Genetics
Klippel-Feil syndrome is a bone disorder characterized by the abnormal joining (fusion) of two or more spinal bones in the neck (cervical vertebrae). The vertebral fusion is present from birth. Three major features result from this vertebral fusion: a short neck, the resulting appearance of a low hairline at the back of the head, and a limited range of motion in the neck. Most affected people have one or two of these characteristic features. Less than half of all individuals with Klippel-Feil syndrome have all three classic features of this condition.

In people with Klippel-Feil syndrome, the fused vertebrae can limit the range of movement of the neck and back as well as lead to chronic headaches and muscle pain in the neck and back that range in severity. People with minimal bone involvement often have fewer problems compared to individuals with several vertebrae affected. The shortened neck can cause a slight difference in the size and shape of the right and left sides of the face (facial asymmetry). Trauma to the spine, such as a fall or car accident, can aggravate problems in the fused area. Fusion of the vertebrae can lead to nerve damage in the head, neck, or back. Over time, individuals with Klippel-Feil syndrome can develop a narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) in the neck, which can compress and damage the spinal cord. Rarely, spinal nerve abnormalities may cause abnormal sensations or involuntary movements in people with Klippel-Feil syndrome. Affected individuals may develop a painful joint disorder called osteoarthritis around the areas of fused bone or experience painful involuntary tensing of the neck muscles (cervical dystonia). In addition to the fused cervical bones, people with this condition may have abnormalities in other vertebrae. Many people with Klippel-Feil syndrome have abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine (scoliosis) due to malformation of the vertebrae; fusion of additional vertebrae below the neck may also occur.

People with Klippel-Feil syndrome may have a wide variety of other features in addition to their spine abnormalities. Some people with this condition have hearing difficulties, eye abnormalities, an opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate), genitourinary problems such as abnormal kidneys or reproductive organs, heart abnormalities, or lung defects that can cause breathing problems. Affected individuals may have other skeletal defects including arms or legs of unequal length (limb length discrepancy), which can result in misalignment of the hips or knees. Additionally, the shoulder blades may be underdeveloped so that they sit abnormally high on the back, a condition called Sprengel deformity. Rarely, structural brain abnormalities or a type of birth defect that occurs during the development of the brain and spinal cord (neural tube defect) can occur in people with Klippel-Feil syndrome.

In some cases, Klippel-Feil syndrome occurs as a feature of another disorder or syndrome, such as Wildervanck syndrome or hemifacial microsomia. In these instances, affected individuals have the signs and symptoms of both Klippel-Feil syndrome and the additional disorder.  https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/klippel-feil-syndrome

Conditions with this feature

Elsahy-Waters syndrome
MedGen UID:
923028
Concept ID:
C0809936
Disease or Syndrome
The core phenotype of Elsahy-Waters syndrome consists of brachycephaly, facial asymmetry, marked hypertelorism, proptosis, blepharochalasis, midface hypoplasia, broad nose with concave nasal ridge, and prognathism; radicular dentin dysplasia with consequent obliterated pulp chambers, apical translucent cysts, recurrent infections, and early loss of teeth; vertebral fusions, particularly at C2-C3; and moderate mental retardation. Skin wrinkling over the glabellar region seems common, and in males, hypospadias has always been present. Inter- and intrafamilial variability has been reported regarding the presence of vertebral fusions, hearing loss, and dentigerous cysts. Midface hypoplasia, facial asymmetry, progressive dental anomalies, and impaired cognitive development become more evident in adulthood (summary by Castori et al., 2010).
Leri pleonosteosis
MedGen UID:
331978
Concept ID:
C1835450
Disease or Syndrome
Leri pleonosteosis is an autosomal dominant skeletal disorder characterized by flexion contractures of the interphalangeal joints, limited movement of multiple joints, and short, broad metacarpals, metatarsals, and phalanges. Additional features may include chronic joint pain, short stature, bony overgrowths, spinal cord compression, scleroderma-like skin changes, and blepharophimosis. The clinical features overlap with several other musculoskeletal conditions, including Myhre syndrome (MYHRS; 139210) and geleophysic dysplasia (GPHYSD1; 231050) (summary by Banka et al., 2015).
Klippel-Feil syndrome 2, autosomal recessive
MedGen UID:
395201
Concept ID:
C1859209
Disease or Syndrome
Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a congenital anomaly characterized by a defect in the formation or segmentation of the cervical vertebrae, resulting in a fused appearance. The clinical triad consists of short neck, low posterior hairline, and limited neck movement, although less than 50% of patients demonstrate all 3 clinical features (Tracy et al., 2004). Clarke et al. (1998) proposed a classification system for KFS in which an autosomal recessive form is characterized by the most rostral fusion at C1 and the presence of severe associated anomalies, including short neck, cardiac defects, and craniofacial anomalies. For a general description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of Klippel-Feil syndrome, see KFS1 (118100).
Klippel-Feil syndrome 1, autosomal dominant
MedGen UID:
396196
Concept ID:
C1861689
Disease or Syndrome
Klippel-Feil syndrome is a bone disorder characterized by the abnormal joining (fusion) of two or more spinal bones in the neck (cervical vertebrae). The vertebral fusion is present from birth. Three major features result from this vertebral fusion: a short neck, the resulting appearance of a low hairline at the back of the head, and a limited range of motion in the neck. Most affected people have one or two of these characteristic features. Less than half of all individuals with Klippel-Feil syndrome have all three classic features of this condition.\n\nIn people with Klippel-Feil syndrome, the fused vertebrae can limit the range of movement of the neck and back as well as lead to chronic headaches and muscle pain in the neck and back that range in severity. People with minimal bone involvement often have fewer problems compared to individuals with several vertebrae affected. The shortened neck can cause a slight difference in the size and shape of the right and left sides of the face (facial asymmetry). Trauma to the spine, such as a fall or car accident, can aggravate problems in the fused area. Fusion of the vertebrae can lead to nerve damage in the head, neck, or back. Over time, individuals with Klippel-Feil syndrome can develop a narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) in the neck, which can compress and damage the spinal cord. Rarely, spinal nerve abnormalities may cause abnormal sensations or involuntary movements in people with Klippel-Feil syndrome. Affected individuals may develop a painful joint disorder called osteoarthritis around the areas of fused bone or experience painful involuntary tensing of the neck muscles (cervical dystonia). In addition to the fused cervical bones, people with this condition may have abnormalities in other vertebrae. Many people with Klippel-Feil syndrome have abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine (scoliosis) due to malformation of the vertebrae; fusion of additional vertebrae below the neck may also occur.\n\nPeople with Klippel-Feil syndrome may have a wide variety of other features in addition to their spine abnormalities. Some people with this condition have hearing difficulties, eye abnormalities, an opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate), genitourinary problems such as abnormal kidneys or reproductive organs, heart abnormalities, or lung defects that can cause breathing problems. Affected individuals may have other skeletal defects including arms or legs of unequal length (limb length discrepancy), which can result in misalignment of the hips or knees. Additionally, the shoulder blades may be underdeveloped so that they sit abnormally high on the back, a condition called Sprengel deformity. Rarely, structural brain abnormalities or a type of birth defect that occurs during the development of the brain and spinal cord (neural tube defect) can occur in people with Klippel-Feil syndrome.\n\nIn some cases, Klippel-Feil syndrome occurs as a feature of another disorder or syndrome, such as Wildervanck syndrome or hemifacial microsomia. In these instances, affected individuals have the signs and symptoms of both Klippel-Feil syndrome and the additional disorder.
Cognitive impairment - coarse facies - heart defects - obesity - pulmonary involvement - short stature - skeletal dysplasia syndrome
MedGen UID:
894554
Concept ID:
C4085597
Disease or Syndrome
CHOPS syndrome is a disorder involving multiple abnormalities that are present from birth (congenital). The name "CHOPS" is an abbreviation for a list of features of the disorder including cognitive impairment, coarse facial features, heart defects, obesity, lung (pulmonary) involvement, short stature, and skeletal abnormalities.\n\nChildren with CHOPS syndrome have intellectual disability and delayed development of skills such as sitting and walking. Characteristic facial features include a round face; thick hair; thick eyebrows that grow together in the middle (synophrys); wide-set, bulging eyes with long eyelashes; a short nose; and down-turned corners of the mouth.\n\nMost affected individuals are born with a heart defect called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The ductus arteriosus is a connection between two major arteries, the aorta and the pulmonary artery. This connection is open during fetal development and normally closes shortly after birth. However, the ductus arteriosus remains open, or patent, in babies with PDA. If untreated, this heart defect causes infants to breathe rapidly, feed poorly, and gain weight slowly; in severe cases, it can lead to heart failure. Multiple heart abnormalities have sometimes been found in children with CHOPS syndrome. In addition to PDA, affected individuals may have ventricular septal defect, which is a defect in the muscular wall (septum) that separates the right and left sides of the heart's lower chamber.\n\nPeople with CHOPS syndrome have abnormalities of the throat and airways that cause momentary cessation of breathing while asleep (obstructive sleep apnea). These abnormalities can also cause affected individuals to breathe food or fluids into the lungs accidentally, which can lead to a potentially life-threatening bacterial lung infection (aspiration pneumonia) and chronic lung disease. Affected individuals are shorter than more than 97 percent of their peers and are overweight for their height. They also have skeletal differences including unusually short fingers and toes (brachydactyly) and abnormally-shaped spinal bones (vertebrae).\n\nOther features that can occur in CHOPS syndrome include a small head size (microcephaly); hearing loss; clouding of the lens of the eye (cataract); a single, horseshoe-shaped kidney; and, in affected males, undescended testes (cryptorchidism).
Klippel-Feil anomaly-myopathy-facial dysmorphism syndrome
MedGen UID:
894399
Concept ID:
C4225285
Disease or Syndrome
Klippel-Feil syndrome-4 with nemaline myopathy and facial dysmorphism (KFS4) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized mainly by severe hypotonia apparent from infancy. Klippel-Feil anomaly is primarily defined by fusion of the cervical spine, with associated low posterior hairline and limited neck mobility being observed in about half of patients (summary by Alazami et al., 2015). For a general description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of Klippel-Feil syndrome, see KFS1 (118100).
Frontometaphyseal dysplasia 1
MedGen UID:
923943
Concept ID:
C4281559
Congenital Abnormality
The X-linked otopalatodigital (X-OPD) spectrum disorders, characterized primarily by skeletal dysplasia, include the following: Otopalatodigital syndrome type 1 (OPD1). Otopalatodigital syndrome type 2 (OPD2). Frontometaphyseal dysplasia type 1 (FMD1). Melnick-Needles syndrome (MNS). Terminal osseous dysplasia with pigmentary skin defects (TODPD). In OPD1, most manifestations are present at birth; females can present with severity similar to affected males, although some have only mild manifestations. In OPD2, females are less severely affected than related affected males. Most males with OPD2 die during the first year of life, usually from thoracic hypoplasia resulting in pulmonary insufficiency. Males who live beyond the first year of life are usually developmentally delayed and require respiratory support and assistance with feeding. In FMD1, females are less severely affected than related affected males. Males do not experience a progressive skeletal dysplasia but may have joint contractures and hand and foot malformations. Progressive scoliosis is observed in both affected males and females. In MNS, wide phenotypic variability is observed; some individuals are diagnosed in adulthood, while others require respiratory support and have reduced longevity. MNS in males results in perinatal lethality in all recorded cases. TODPD, seen only in females, is characterized by a skeletal dysplasia that is most prominent in the digits, pigmentary defects of the skin, and recurrent digital fibromata.
Intellectual developmental disorder with dysmorphic facies and ptosis
MedGen UID:
934584
Concept ID:
C4310617
Disease or Syndrome
Intellectual developmental disorder with dysmorphic facies and ptosis (IDDDFP) is an autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by delayed psychomotor development, intellectual disability, delayed language, and dysmorphic facial features, most notably ptosis/blepharophimosis. Additional features may include poor growth, hypotonia, and seizures (summary by Mattioli et al., 2017). See also chromosome 3p deletion syndrome (613792).
Shashi-Pena syndrome
MedGen UID:
934639
Concept ID:
C4310672
Disease or Syndrome
Shashi-Pena syndrome is a neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by delayed psychomotor development, variable intellectual disability, hypotonia, facial dysmorphism, and some unusual features, including enlarged head circumference, glabellar nevus flammeus, and deep palmar creases. Some patients may also have atrial septal defect, episodic hypoglycemia, changes in bone mineral density, and/or seizures (summary by Shashi et al., 2016).
Intellectual disability, autosomal dominant 52
MedGen UID:
1615839
Concept ID:
C4540478
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, classic-like, 2
MedGen UID:
1632001
Concept ID:
C4693870
Disease or Syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome classic-like-2 (EDSCLL2) is characterized by severe joint and skin laxity, osteoporosis involving the hips and spine, osteoarthritis, soft redundant skin that can be acrogeria-like, delayed wound healing with abnormal atrophic scarring, and shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle dislocations. Variable features include gastrointestinal and genitourinary manifestations, such as bowel rupture, gut dysmotility, cryptorchidism, and hernias; vascular complications, such as mitral valve prolapse and aortic root dilation; and skeletal anomalies (Blackburn et al., 2018). See 606408 for another classic-like EDS syndrome. For a discussion of the classification of EDS, see 130000.

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PubMed

Jae-Min Park A, Nelson SE, Mesfin A
JBJS Rev 2022 Feb 15;10(2) doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.21.00166. PMID: 35171878
Litrenta J, Bi AS, Dryer JW
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Mórocz I, Szeifert GT, Molnár P, Tóth Z, Csécsei K, Papp Z
Clin Genet 1986 Aug;30(2):81-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1986.tb00574.x. PMID: 3530565

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Jae-Min Park A, Nelson SE, Mesfin A
JBJS Rev 2022 Feb 15;10(2) doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.21.00166. PMID: 35171878
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2021 Oct;209:106934. Epub 2021 Sep 3 doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106934. PMID: 34543827
Mancarella C, Delfini R, Landi A
Acta Neurochir Suppl 2019;125:89-95. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-62515-7_13. PMID: 30610307
Nouri A, Tetreault L, Singh A, Karadimas SK, Fehlings MG
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O'Donnel DP, Seupaul RA
Am J Emerg Med 2008 Feb;26(2):252.e1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2007.04.017. PMID: 18272131

Diagnosis

Litrenta J, Bi AS, Dryer JW
J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2021 Nov 15;29(22):951-960. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-21-00190. PMID: 34288888
Frikha R
Clin Dysmorphol 2020 Jan;29(1):35-37. doi: 10.1097/MCD.0000000000000301. PMID: 31577545
Mancarella C, Delfini R, Landi A
Acta Neurochir Suppl 2019;125:89-95. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-62515-7_13. PMID: 30610307
Nouri A, Tetreault L, Singh A, Karadimas SK, Fehlings MG
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McBride WZ
Am Fam Physician 1992 Feb;45(2):633-5. PMID: 1739048

Therapy

Zou Q, Wang L, Yang X, Song Y, Liu L, Wang L, Zhou Z, Hu B, Chen T, Liu H
BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022 Feb 7;23(1):123. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05072-8. PMID: 35130887Free PMC Article
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Čota S, Žagar I, Delimar V, Pap M, Perić D, Perić P
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Park JH, Tai K, Sato Y, Nishiyama A, Shin JW
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Prognosis

Courvoisier A
Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2023 Feb;109(1S):103459. Epub 2022 Oct 24 doi: 10.1016/j.otsr.2022.103459. PMID: 36302448
Frikha R
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Tracy MR, Dormans JP, Kusumi K
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McBride WZ
Am Fam Physician 1992 Feb;45(2):633-5. PMID: 1739048

Clinical prediction guides

Goel A, Vutha R, Shah A
Adv Tech Stand Neurosurg 2023;46:125-147. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-28202-7_7. PMID: 37318573
Lee CY, Wu CL, Chang HK, Wu JC, Huang WC, Cheng H, Tu TH
Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2021 Oct;209:106934. Epub 2021 Sep 3 doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106934. PMID: 34543827
Litrenta J, Bi AS, Dryer JW
J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2021 Nov 15;29(22):951-960. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-21-00190. PMID: 34288888
Čota S, Žagar I, Delimar V, Pap M, Perić D, Perić P
Rheumatol Int 2019 Sep;39(9):1655-1660. Epub 2019 Jun 18 doi: 10.1007/s00296-019-04346-0. PMID: 31214770
Nouri A, Tetreault L, Singh A, Karadimas SK, Fehlings MG
Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2015 Jun 15;40(12):E675-93. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000913. PMID: 25839387

Recent systematic reviews

Nie JW, Sadeh M, Almadidy Z, Callahan N, Neckrysh S
Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2023 Aug 1;25(2):117-124. Epub 2023 May 22 doi: 10.1227/ons.0000000000000754. PMID: 37219571
Lee MJ, Dettori JR, Standaert CJ, Ely CG, Chapman JR
Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2012 Oct 15;37(22 Suppl):S40-51. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31826ca9b1. PMID: 22872219

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