Branchio-oto-renal syndrome (BOR syndrome).: A syndrome involving branchial cleft, hearing loss and renal anomalies

The branchio-oto-renal syndrome (BOR syndrome) is characterized by auricular abnormalities, lateral cervical fistulas and preauricular tags. The hearing impairment may be a conductive, a sensorineural or a mixed hearing loss. The renal disease is oligomeganephronia, a bilateral, congenital renal abnormality with reduced numbers of nephrons. The BOR syndrome is an autosomal-dominant disease. An 8-year-old girl with preauricular tags, cervical fistulas and auricular abnormalities is reported upon. She has a mixed hearing loss and anomalies in the vestibular system. Renal disorders are not diagnosed. The BOR syndrome is a disorder with branchial, otologic and renal manifestations. These are usually incomplete. Less common anomalies that occur include facial nerve paralysis, lacrimal duct stenosis and other auricular abnormalities. The syndrome shows a highly variable expressivity, so that severe renal anomalies may be the limiting factor. Malformations in the head region may undergo cosmetic surgery depending an their grade and behaviour. After audiometric evaluation the hearing disorder can he well-treated with hearing aids.