Dandy-Walker syndrome
3350633
225506302
2008-07-14T01:30:52Z
N2e
1143897
/* Classification */ relation to other genetic diseases: ciliopathy
{{Infobox_Disease |
Name = Dandy-Walker syndrome |
Image = |
Caption = |
DiseasesDB = 3449 |
ICD10 = {{ICD10|Q|03|1|q|00}} |
ICD9 = {{ICD9|742.3}} |
ICDO = |
OMIM = 220200 |
MedlinePlus = |
eMedicineSubj = radio |
eMedicineTopic = 206 |
MeshID = D003616 |
}}
'''Dandy-Walker syndrome''' (DWS), or Dandy-Walker complex, is a congenital [[brain]] malformation involving the [[cerebellum]] and the fluid filled spaces around it. The Dandy-Walker complex is a [[genetics|genetically]] sporadic disorder that occurs one in every 25,000 live births, mostly in females.
==Presentation==
The key features of this syndrome are an enlargement of the [[fourth ventricle]], the space containing cerebrospinal fluid between the medulla and the cerebellum, a partial or complete absence of the [[cerebellar vermis]], the posterior midline area of cerebellar cortex responsible for coordination of the axial musculature, and cyst formation near the internal base of the [[skull]]. An increase in the size of the fluid spaces surrounding the brain as well as an increase in pressure may also be present. The syndrome can appear dramatically or develop unnoticed.
Symptoms, which often occur in early infancy, include slow motor development and progressive enlargement of the skull. In older children, symptoms of increased [[intracranial pressure]] such as [[irritability]], [[vomiting]] and [[convulsion]]s and signs of cerebellar dysfunction such as unsteadiness, lack of muscle coordination or jerky movements of the [[eye]]s may occur. Other symptoms include increased head circumference, bulging at the back of the skull, problems with the nerves that control the eyes, face and neck, and abnormal breathing patterns.
Dandy-Walker syndrome is frequently associated with disorders of other areas of the central nervous system including absence of the [[corpus callosum]], the bundle of axons connecting the two [[cerebral hemisphere]]s, and malformations of the [[heart]], [[face]], [[Limb (anatomy)|limb]]s, [[finger]]s and [[toe]]s.
==Classification==
The term Dandy-Walker represents not a single entity, but several abnormalities of brain development which coexist. There are, at present, three types of Dandy-Walker complexes.
They are divided into three closely associated forms: DWS malformation, DWS mega cisterna magna and DWS variant.
===Malformation===
The DWS [[malformation]] is the most severe presentation of the syndrome. The [[posterior fossa]] is enlarged and the [[tentorium cerebelli|tentorium]] is in high position. There is partial or complete [[agenesis]] of the [[cerebellar vermis]]. There is also [[cystic dilation]] of the [[fourth ventricle]], which fills the [[posterior fossa]]. This often involves [[hydrocephaly]] and complications due to associated genetic conditions, such as [[Spina Bifida]].
===Mega cisterna magna===
The second type is a mega [[cisterna magna]]. The [[posterior cranial fossa|posterior fossa]] is enlarged but it is secondary to an enlarged cisterna. This form is represented by a large accumulation of [[Cerebrospinal fluid|CSF]] in the cisterna magna in the posterior fossa. The [[cerebellar vermis]] and the [[fourth ventricle]] are normal.
===Variant===
The third type is the variant, which is less severe than the malformation. This form (or forms) represents the most wide-ranging set of symptoms and outcomes of DWS. Many patients who do not fit into the two other categories of DWS are often labeled as [[variant]]. The [[fourth ventricle]] is only mildly enlarged and there is mild enlargement of the posterior fossa. The [[cerebellar vermis]] is [[hypoplastic]] and has a variably sized [[cyst]] space. This is caused by open communication of the posteroinferior fourth ventricle and the [[cisterna magna]] through the enlarged [[vallecula]]. Patients exhibit [[hydrocephalus]] in 25% of cases and supratentorial CNS variances are uncommon, only present in 20% of cases. There is no [[torcular-lambdoid]] inversion, as usually seen in patients with the malformation. The third and lateral ventricles as well as the brain stem are normal.
=== Relation to other rare disorders: genetic ciliopathy ===
Until recently, the medical literature did not indicate a connection among many [[genetic disorder]]s, both [[Syndrome|genetic syndromes]] and [[Disease|genetic diseases]], that are now being found to be related. As a result of new genetic research, some of these are, in fact, highly related in their [[genotype|root cause]] despite the widely-varying set of medical [[phenotype|symptoms]] that are clinically visible in the [[Disorder (medicine)|disorders]]. Dandy-Walker syndrome is one such disease, part of an [[emergence|emerging]] class of diseases called [[ciliopathy|cilopathies]]. The underlying cause may be a dysfunctional molecular mechanism in the primary [[cilia]] structures of the [[Cell (biology)|cell]], [[organelle]]s which are present in many cellular types throughout the [[human]] body. The cilia defects adversely affect "numerous critical developmental signaling pathways" essential to cellular development and thus offer a plausible hypothesis for the often [[pleiotropic|multi-symptom]] nature of a large set of syndromes and diseases. Known ciliopathies include [[primary ciliary dyskinesia]], [[Bardet-Biedl syndrome]], [[polycystic kidney disease|polycystic kidney]] and [[polycystic liver disease|liver disease]], [[nephronophthisis]], [[Alstrom syndrome]], [[Meckel-Gruber syndrome]] and some forms of [[retinopathy|retinal degeneration]].<ref>{{cite journal
| last = Badano
| first = Jose L.
| authorlink =
| coauthors = Norimasa Mitsuma, Phil L. Beales, Nicholas Katsanis
| title = The Ciliopathies : An Emerging Class of Human Genetic Disorders
| journal = Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics
| volume = 7
| issue =
| pages = 125-148
| publisher =
| location =
| date = September 2006
| url = http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.genom.7.080505.115610
| doi = 10.1146/annurev.genom.7.080505.115610
| id =
| accessdate = 2008-06-15}}</ref>.
== Treatment ==
Treatment for individuals with Dandy-Walker syndrome generally consists of treating the associated problems, if needed. A special tube ([[shunt (medical)#cerebral shunt|shunt]]) to reduce intracranial pressure may be placed inside the skull to control swelling. Parents of children with Dandy-Walker syndrome may benefit from genetic counseling if they intend to have more children.
== Prognosis ==
The spectrum of outcomes for Dandy-Walker syndrome are diverse. Mortality statistics are often compiled by neurologists who deal with worst case outcomes, which thus reflect a high mortality rate, or grim prognosis – both pre and post natal – in DWS infants.
Children with Dandy-Walker syndrome may never have normal intellectual development, even when the hydrocephalus is treated early and correctly. Longevity depends on the severity of the syndrome and associated malformations. The presence of multiple congenital defects may shorten life span.
==Eponym==
It is named for [[Walter Dandy]] and [[Arthur Earl Walker]].<ref>{{WhoNamedIt|synd|433}}</ref>
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
*[http://www.dandy-walker.org/ Dandy-Walker Alliance], a non-profit organization of individuals directly and indirectly affected by Dandy-Walker
*E-medicine webpage definition [http://www.emedicine.com/radio/byname/dandy-walker-malformation.htm]
*[http://www.hydroassoc.org Hydrocephalus Association]
*[http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/3919/dws.html ''Dandy Walker Homepage''], an informal site maintained by parents of a DWS child, with links to similar sites
* {{Chorus|00111}}
{{Congenital malformations and deformations of nervous system}}
[[Category:Congenital disorders]]
[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
[[de:Dandy-Walker-Fehlbildung]]
[[pt:Síndrome de Dandy-Walker]]