Pai syndrome is an idiopathic developmental disorder characterized by median cleft of the upper lip (MCL), midline polyps of the facial skin and nasal mucosa, and pericallosal lipomas. Hypertelorism with ocular anomalies are also observed, generally with normal neuropsychological development.
PS has been reported in 33 patients to date, however, the incidence seems to be underestimated.
PS presents at birth with a variable phenotype ranging from mild facial dysmorphism to more severe anomalies resembling frontonasal dysplasia (see this term). Most patients present with a marked hypertelorism with downward slanting palpebral fissures and may include a bifid nose in the most extreme cases. Midline cleft lip with midline nasal and facial polyps manifest generally as a bifid uvula with high palate, polyps are located over the nasal septum or extend from the nostril from an attachment to the nasal septum. These anomalies may lead to respiratory impairment, increased respiratory infections, speech impediments or early childhood difficulties in eating solids. Skin lipomas containing cartilage may be seen on the forehead. Ocular anomalies may include anterior segment dysgenesis, persistent papillary membrane, corneal leukoma, microcornea, posterior lenticonus, heterochromia iris and conjunctival lipoma. Coloboma of the iris has been reported in one case. Normal neuropsychological development was reported in all but one case that presented with epileptic seizures. Sacral dimples may be observed at birth, and hypospadias has been reported in some male patients.
The etiology of PS is unknown.
PS is diagnosed strictly by clinical signs, the presence of a congenital nasal polyp plus one or more of the three following traits: MCL (with or without cleft alveolus), mid-anterior alveolar process congenital polyp and pericallosal lipoma. MRI may reveal pericallosal lipomas and an abnormal configuration of the third ventricle.
Differential diagnoses include Loeys-Dietz syndrome, oculocerebrocutaneous syndrome, frontonasal dysplasia, Goldenhar syndrome (see these terms), as well as a variety of chromosomal anomalies.
One case of father to son transmission has been reported to date, but no recurrence in sibs has ever been reported. Recurrence risk in families with no history or PS is therefore thought to be low.
Detection of potential oral or respiratory difficulties in newborns must be treated immediately. Multistage craniofacial surgery may be necessary in many cases. Surgical restoration of orbicular muscle continuity and excision of skin lipomas may be performed early in childhood, correction of the nasal pyramid should be performed after the pubertal growth spurt. In patients presenting with ocular anomalies, corneal or cataract surgery may improve vision in some cases, and optical iridectomy may be necessary in cases presenting with corneal leukoma. All patients should be regularly monitored for increases in intraocular pressure.
Both cosmetic and functional restoration of buccal and nasal anomalies is feasible and the prognosis is good for most patients.
Last update: November 2013
- Dr Damien LEDERER
- Dr Vincent VANDER POORTEN