[Johanson-Blizzard syndrome. A complex dysplasia syndrome with aplasia of the nasal alae and inner ear deafness].

Background: The Johanson-Blizzard syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome with ectodermal dysplasia. ENT findings in the syndrome include profound bilateral hearing loss, aplasia of the alae nasi and dental malformations. To date approximately 30 cases have been described.

Case Report: We report our findings in a female patient who was born as the second child of consanguine parents. Pregnancy was normal, birth weight 3620 g and body length 52 cm. She was hospitalized immediately after birth because of anal atresia and facial dysmorphism with aplastic alae nasi, mongoloid eye slant and slightly dystopic ears. Bilateral symmetric profound hearing loss was diagnosed by subjective hearing tests and confirmed by auditory evoked brainstem potentials. Otoacoustic emissions were absent. Hearing aids were successfully fitted. Other malformations were a duplex of the uterus and vagina and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The anal atresia was corrected surgically.

Discussion: In general, the exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in the Johanson-Blizzard syndrome requires careful medical management. The aplastic alae nasi require no specific therapy, while in our case in the hearing loss could be treated with hearing aids.