Antley-Bixler syndrome from a prognostic perspective: report of a case and review of the literature.

The Antley-Bixler syndrome (ABS) is characterized by craniosynostosis, radiohumeral synostosis, and femoral bowing. Other findings include a trapezoid-shaped head, deformed ears, severe midface hypoplasia, choanal atresia or stenosis, and long bone fractures. Most ABS cases have died in the first months of life from respiratory complications. The poor prognosis in this condition makes counseling difficult and early termination of pregnancy a consideration. The medical and surgical management information presented here can be used as a guide for counseling parents in the future. We report on a new patient with ABS who now at age 3 yr, has been followed by the medical staff of Riley Children's Hospital since birth. She has had successful medical and surgical management. Although the multisynostoses seen in this disorder is undoubtedly related to the soft tissue malformations such as choanal stenosis and midface hypoplasia, the cause remains unknown. The literature is also reviewed in this condition.