Joubert syndrome with cleft palate

Abstract

Joubert syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with key finding of cerebellar vermis hypoplasia with a complex brainstem malformation that comprises the "molar tooth sign" on axial magnetic resonance images. Many congenital malformations such as polydactyly, retinal abnormalities, renal malformations, tongue and other orofacial malformations including midline cleft lip have been reported. In the review of literature we did not come across specific mention of a cleft palate. Until date approximately 200 such cases have been reported in the literature. We present a case of a 7-year-old female patient who has been under treatment since she was 1 year old. She had a microform midline cleft of the lip, a complete cleft of the secondary palate, polydactyly in both hands and feet, along with the features of Joubert syndrome including episodes of apnea and tachypnea, abnormal ocular movements, atonia and the classic "molar tooth sign" on axial magnetic resonance imaging.

Keywords

• jouber syndrome
• cleft palate
• molar tooth sign
• congenital anomaly
• autosomal recessive