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Living with Oculoauriculovertebral spectrum with radial defects

A rare condition affecting the face, ears, spine, and thumbs or forearms, with a wide range of features.

Understanding Oculoauriculovertebral spectrum with radial defects

Oculoauriculovertebral spectrum with radial defects is a rare condition affecting the face, ears, spine, and the thumb side of the forearm and hand.

It involves differences in the face on one or both sides, plus radial defects such as extra, small, or missing thumbs. Features can include low weight, short stature, spine differences, hearing loss, uneven face, ear malformations, and clefts. Heart, lung, kidney, and brain involvement has also been reported. GARD lists onset as during pregnancy and as a newborn.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Small or missing thumb
  • Small or malformed ears (microtia), ear pits and skin tags
  • Facial asymmetry
  • Hearing loss from inner ear differences
  • Cleft of the mouth (orofacial cleft)
  • Short stature

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include bone and joint specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
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 rare disease patient organizations for support
  • 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
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Should heart, kidney, and spine imaging be done?
Which hearing tests and supports are right for me or my child?
Which specialists handle hand and thumb differences?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy and as a Newborn
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant

GARD says changes in genes cause this condition. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant way, meaning one changed copy of the gene can be enough.

Genetic

Also known as: goldenhar syndrome with ipsilateral radial defect; hemifacial microsomia with radial defect syndrome; hemifacial microsomia with radial defects; hemifacial microsomia-radial defects syndrome; moeschler clarren syndrome; moeschler-clarren syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Oculoauriculovertebral spectrum with radial defectsGARD ID 3653 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Oculoauriculovertebral spectrum with radial defects.

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