[The oto-vertebral syndrome].

The oto-vertebral syndrome is a rare combination of malformations of the ears, spinal anomalies, and congenital heart disease. The syndrome appears to be caused by early embryonic exogenous damage during the 6th or 7th week of embryonic development. The case is reported of a 28-year-old man with bilateral aplasia of the external ear, bilateral aplasia of the ear canal, hypoplasia of the mandibula, severe thoracic scoliosis, and ventricular septal defect with pulmonary hypertension. He was admitted with dyspnea on exertion, syncope, and severe cyanosis. Cardiac catheterization revealed severe pulmonary hypertension with moderate right-to-left and slightly left-to-right shunt (Eisenmenger syndrome). Right and left ventricular function, as evaluated by angiocardiography, was slightly reduced. Because of the severe hemodynamic alterations, symptomatic therapy with digitalis, repeated venesection, and anticoagulation was initiated.