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Letter: Precise Pulmonary Function Evaluation and Management of a Patient With Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome Associated With Recurrent Pneumonia and Chronic Respiratory Insufficiency (Ann Rehabil Med 2020;44:165-70)

Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine 2020;44(5):409-410.
Published online: October 29, 2020

1Private Practice, Fairfax, VA, USA

2Department of Surgery, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA

Corresponding author: Mikaela I. Poling 8501 Arlington BLVD, Suite 420, Fairfax, VA 22031, USA. Tel: +1-304-460-9038, Fax: +1-703-207-2002, E-mail: luikart2@gmail.com
• Received: June 2, 2020   • Accepted: June 25, 2020

Copyright © 2020 by Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Dear editor,
We read with great interest the case report by Park et al. [1], titled “Precise Pulmonary Function Evaluation and Management of a Patient with Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome Associated With Recurrent Pneumonia and Chronic Respiratory Insufficiency”. It is encouraging to see this exquisitely rare condition, now referred to as Freeman–Burian syndrome (FBS), accurately identified in the literature and the critical issue of restrictive pulmonary disease addressed in this context [1,2]. Unfortunately, this article is unclear to some extent, apparently resulting from the authors’ omission of relevant literature. In discussing the major clinical features of FBS, they list quite common features, including some from the diagnostic criteria [1,3]. However, they do not state the clinical diagnostic criteria [1,3]. They place a significant emphasis on distal extremity contractures, which are a non-diagnostic finding in FBS and common in several syndromic and non-syndromic entities [13]. Not explicitly stating the diagnostic criteria can confuse readers who are unfamiliar with FBS [2].
While FBS has had several classifications since its first description in 1938, the most reasonable seems to be as a complex congenital myopathic craniofacial syndrome [4]. Since the features of distal arthrogryposis are not required for diagnosis, FBS cannot be cogently classed as a distal arthrogryposis syndrome, though many authors and clinicians continue to do so [4].
While the authors do refer to the weakness of respiratory muscles, they, like several authors, place a greater importance on the orthopedic deformities [1]. In the syndrome, orthopedic deformities are a symptom and not a cause [2]. In FBS, white fibrous tendinous-like tissue replaces histologically normal muscle fibers to varying degrees [2]. This is correlated with in vitro molecular myophysiology observations showing problems with the metabolic process for contraction and extreme muscle stiffness that reduces the muscular work and power [2]. Previous authors have observed non-functioning intercostal muscles [5] and in FBS, the potential presence of ineffective intercostal muscles—combined with severe abnormal spinal curvatures—can lead to a reduced intrathoracic volume, impaired thoracic cage compliance, and restrictive pulmonary disease [2].
Finally, regarding the treatment of the patient’s restrictive pulmonary disease, the authors describe invasive and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, without mentioning the importance of functional pulmonary rehabilitation in these patients [1]. As a myopathy, it is essential to encourage these patients to maintain an active lifestyle and exercise to prevent or limit secondary effects, such as the progression of spinal curvatures and other orthopedic deformities [2]. There is growing evidence supporting the use of exercise in treating several conditions, and the evidence-base using exercise as a treatment for pulmonary diseases is especially strong. While the patient did well [1], the use of positive-pressure ventilation, whether invasive or non-invasive, is not benign. Nonetheless, in addition to importantly contributing to the growing body of evidence for pulmonary pathology in FBS, this article also illustrates the perils of describing a rare condition.

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The authors wish to thank C. M. Poling, MS, and Sandra W. Kesling, BA, for proofreading and critical comment. The authors gratefully remember the late E. Leon Linger, MD, who provided helpful discussion on ventilation and passed away during final preparation of this letter.
  • 1. Park J, Kang SW, Choi WA, Lee Y, Cho HE. Precise pulmonary function evaluation and management of a patient with Freeman-Sheldon syndrome associated with recurrent pneumonia and chronic respiratory insufficiency. Ann Rehabil Med 2020;44:165-70.
  • 2. Poling MI, Dufresne CR, Chamberlain RL. Freeman-Burian syndrome. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2019;14:14.
  • 3. Stevenson DA, Carey JC, Palumbos J, Rutherford A, Dolcourt J, Bamshad MJ. Clinical characteristics and natural history of Freeman-Sheldon syndrome. Pediatrics 2006;117:754-62.
  • 4. Poling MI, Dufresne CR. Head first, not feet first: Freeman-Sheldon syndrome as primarily a craniofacial condition. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2018;55:787-8.
  • 5. MacLeod P, Patriquin H. The whistling face syndrome: cranio-carpo-tarsal dysplasia: report of a case and a survey of the literature. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 1974;13:184-9.

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      Ann Rehabil Med. 2020;44(5):409-410.   Published online October 29, 2020
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      Letter: Precise Pulmonary Function Evaluation and Management of a Patient With Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome Associated With Recurrent Pneumonia and Chronic Respiratory Insufficiency (Ann Rehabil Med 2020;44:165-70)
      Ann Rehabil Med. 2020;44(5):409-410.   Published online October 29, 2020
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      Letter: Precise Pulmonary Function Evaluation and Management of a Patient With Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome Associated With Recurrent Pneumonia and Chronic Respiratory Insufficiency (Ann Rehabil Med 2020;44:165-70)
      Letter: Precise Pulmonary Function Evaluation and Management of a Patient With Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome Associated With Recurrent Pneumonia and Chronic Respiratory Insufficiency (Ann Rehabil Med 2020;44:165-70)
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