Morning Glory Syndrome

Very rare congenital disorder characterized by the association of strabismus, nonrhegmatogenous retinal detachment, or remnants of the hyaloid system of the eyes. Basal encephalocele has been encountered in a few cases. The CHARGE (coloboma of iris, heart deformities, choanal atresia, retarded growth, genital and ear deformities) association or isolated congenital defects have been demonstrated with this condition.

Morning Glory Flower.

Unknown; females affected twice as often as males.

Funnel-shaped, excavated optic disc surrounded by chorioretinal pigmentary anomalies; it is generally unilateral and isolated but has been observed in association with midline facial defects (cleft lip or palate, hypertelorism, basal meningomyelocele, agenesis of corpus callosum), renal anomalies, the CHARGE association, and isolated cardiac defects (i.e., atrial septal defect [ASD], ventricular septal defect [VSD], and patent ductus arteriosus [PDA]). In a few cases, basal encephalocele was also associated with the defect.

Check for associated anomalies, mainly airway and cardiac malformations. Anesthetic management is dictated by associated anomalies; one case of unexpected difficult tracheal intubation has been reported. The presence of a basal encephalocele might complicate airway management and positioning. Cardiac anomalies may be present and have their own considerations.