Moebius Syndrome

Moebius syndrome is a rare neurological disorder characterized by facial paralysis and impaired eye movement, affecting one's ability to smile, frown, or blink. This congenital condition often presents challenges in facial expression and speech, requiring specialized medical care and support.

What Is Moebius Syndrome?

Moebius syndrome (or, Mobius syndrome) is a rare neurological disorder affecting muscles involved in facial expression and eye movement. It is a congenital condition, meaning that it is present at birth, and is usually bilateral (or, occurring on both sides of the face). It results from the failure of development of cranial nerves VI and VII in the brainstem.

Children with Moebius syndrome have a characteristic mask-like facial appearance with no ability to communicate emotions through facial movements. The eyes are unable to rotate in an outward direction. The exact occurrence of Moebius syndrome is unknown, but is estimated at 1 in 50,000 to 500,000 infants.

What is Moebius syndrome? Why does Moebius syndrome occur? What are some associated problems with Moebius syndrome? Can Moebius syndrome be inherited? How is Moebius syndrome treated? What are the risks and complications of surgeries for Moebius syndrome?

Why Does Moebius Syndrome Occur?

It is still largely unknown why Moebius syndrome occurs. As with many craniofacial disorders, Moebius syndrome is possibly the result of a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Several chromosomal relationships are associated, including abnormalities in chromosomes 3, 10, and 13. Maternal use of certain medications and recreational drugs have also been implicated. The result of these effects during pregnancy is the failure of development of cranial nerves VI and VII. New studies are being conducted to elucidate the potential genetic relationship.

What Are Some Associated Problems with Moebius Syndrome?

In Moebius syndrome, facial and eye movement differences are present in virtually all patients. Rarely, the condition will affect only one side of the face (or, unilateral). Additionally, if other cranial nerves are involved, then there can be issues with chewing, tongue coordination, speech, hearing, or balance. Hand and foot deformities can also occur. Moebius syndrome can include other malformations including club feet, missing fingers and/or pectoralis muscle (similar to Poland syndrome), and hearing loss. Other cranial nerves may also be involved on rare occasions. The majority of patients have normal intelligence, although psychological issues are common due to difficulties integrating with family and friends. The lack of facial expression is often the source of stress. Problems with eye closure can rarely result in drying of eyes and corneal scarring. Failure of mouth closure can result in drooling and dental problems.

Can Moebius Syndrome Be Inherited?

Although various genetic markers seem to be associated with Moebius syndrome, the vast majority of cases occur in people with no history of the disorder in their families. There is no clear pattern of inheritance.

How Is Moebius Syndrome Treated?

Children with Moebius syndrome may have a number of issues requiring intervention based on the severity of the condition and the presence of associated malformations. A multidisciplinary team of specialists is critical in managing issues related to speech, hearing, feeding, orthopedics, and psychosocial development. For correction of craniofacial issues, surgery is currently the only option. Correction of eye movements will need to be addressed by an ophthalmologist.

Facial paralysis in Moebius syndrome is typically complete and bilateral. In other words, facial nerves on both sides of the face are absent; therefore, use of cranial nerve VII is not possible in restoring movement as in one-sided facial paralysis. However, cranial nerve V is usually present. This nerve is usually responsible for activation of biting muscles. Based on this concept, one of two methods for lower facial reanimation (or, smile reanimation) is possible: free gracilis muscle transfer or temporalis muscle transfer. These techniques are discussed at great length in the Facial Paralysis section.

Incomplete eye closure causing symptomatic drying or excessive tear production may need to be corrected surgically. Various options exist for achieving this. Please refer to the Facial Paralysis section for further details.

Club foot deformities will need to be corrected by an orthopedic surgeon. Hand deformities are most often characterized by an underdeveloped hand (or, symbrachydactyly). In this condition, a combination of webbing of fingers and missing fingers occurs. The severity of symbrachydactyly can be quite variable. Please refer to the section on Symbrachydactyly for further details regarding improvement of hand function. Chest wall deformities can be corrected towards the end of skeletal development at approximately 16 years of age. Girls with lack of breast development will proceed with breast reconstruction at that time.

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What Are the Risks and Complications of Surgeries for Moebius Syndrome?

All procedures for correcting deformities related to Moebius syndrome will carry a different set of risks and potential complications. Thankfully, all procedures are relatively safe when appropriate preoperative evaluation is performed. Airway complications are the most serious issue encountered. Anesthesia pre-evaluation is necessary to stratify risk and to make provisions at the time of surgery for successful intubation and postoperative management.

Bleeding, infection, and anesthetic complications are risks of any surgical procedure. In addition, poor scarring or wound problems can occur rarely. More frequently, achieving perfect symmetry is an impossibility. Improvements can be substantial, but reversing the deformity to a normal state cannot be realized in the majority of patients. Revisional surgery may be required to improve scars, contour, symmetry, or facial movement.

Why Choose Dr. Panossian?

He received his medical education at Tufts University School of Medicine.
Graduated at the top of his class at UCLA, receiving Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude honors.
Was accepted into an elite combined general surgery and plastic surgery residency at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Completed subspecialty training in craniofacial surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Harvard Medical School.
Was mentored by Dr. Ron Zuker in the practice of facial paralysis reconstruction. This prestigious fellowship position was available to only one surgeon in the United States.
Is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the highly selective American Association of Plastic Surgeons, reserved for only a select group of individuals nationally who have demonstrated excellence in academic plastic surgery.
Is affiliated with various charitable and educational organizations, including Operation Smile and Mending Kids.
Holds memberships in several other professional societies including the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery.
He serves on the Board of Directors for Mending Kids and the Gondobay Manga Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of lives in Sierra Leone.
Has been nominated by his peers annually since 2012 as a “Super Doctor.”
Served as an expert medical consultant and appeared on The Doctors, Grey’s Anatomy, and Nip/Tuck.
Has been featured as “Top Doctor” in US News and World Report, Pasadena Magazine, and Los Angeles Magazine.