Living with Auriculocondylar syndrome
A condition that affects the development of the ears and lower jaw, including a distinctive "question mark" ear shape.
Understanding Auriculocondylar syndrome
A hallmark is the "question mark ear," with a split between the upper ear and the earlobe. A small lower jaw can affect the jaw joint, so opening and closing the mouth can be hard. It can cause breathing problems, and many infants need a breathing tube. Features vary, even within families. Rarely, there are developmental delays.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Question-mark-shaped ears
- Small lower jaw (micrognathia)
- Jaw joint (TMJ) problems
- Trouble breathing in infancy
- Cleft palate
- Obstructive sleep apnea
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include bone and joint specialists, ear, nose, and throat specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association and World Craniofacial Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); Ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association, World Craniofacial Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says changes in genes (also called variants) cause this condition. It can be inherited in a dominant way (one changed copy of the gene) or a recessive way (a changed copy from each parent).
Also known as: auriculo-condylar syndrome; dysgnathia complex; question mark ear syndrome; question mark ears syndrome; question-mark ear syndrome
Patient organizations
- American Cleft Palate Craniofacial AssociationAuriculocondylar syndrome · United States
- World Craniofacial FoundationCraniofacial anomalies · United States
- Children's Craniofacial AssociationCraniofacial anomalies · United States
- FACES: The National Craniofacial AssociationCraniofacial anomalies · United States
- myFaceCraniofacial anomalies · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Auriculocondylar syndrome.
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