Living with Commissural facial cleft
A rare condition present from birth where the side of the face has a cleft that can widen the mouth and affect the cheekbone, jaw and ear.
Understanding Commissural facial cleft
It involves a defect near the temple and cheekbone, often with a missing cheekbone arch and differences in the jaw bone. The cleft can extend to the corner of the mouth (macrostomia), and ear changes and skin tags in front of the ear are common. Some muscle and hair differences near the ear can occur.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet. The summary describes these features:
- Cleft reaching the corner of the mouth (macrostomia)
- Missing cheekbone arch
- Jaw bone differences
- Ear differences
- Skin tags in front of the ear
- Underdeveloped temple muscle
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 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
World Craniofacial Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: 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 FACES: The National 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 cause this condition. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.
Also known as: commissural cleft, isolated; lateral cleft, isolated; macrostomia; macrostomia, isolated; tessier number 7 facial cleft; transverse cleft, isolated
Patient organizations
- FACES: The National Craniofacial AssociationCommissural facial cleft · United States
- World Craniofacial FoundationCraniofacial anomalies · United States
- Children's Craniofacial AssociationCraniofacial anomalies · United States
- myFaceCraniofacial anomalies · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Commissural facial cleft.
Explore research for Commissural facial cleft
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