Comprehensive Review of Worster-Drought Syndrome as a Congenital Suprabulbar Paresis

Worster-Drought syndrome (WDS), also known as congenital suprabulbar paresis, is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by feeding, swallowing, drooling, and speech disturbances. Currently, it is classified as a subtype of cerebral palsy. However, the limited number of studies and the clinical and radiological overlap with related entities such as congenital bilateral perisylvian syndrome (CBPS) and Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome (FCMS) have contributed to persistent uncertainty regarding its proper classification. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the WDS based on data from published case series. Special emphasis is placed on proposed etiological mechanisms, including recent genetic findings potentially contributing to WDS, as well as on the diagnostic process, ongoing classification dilemmas, and spectrum-based perspective. We point out the need to establish standardized diagnostic criteria and conduct large-scale genetic and neurodevelopmental research. Addressing these gaps may help clarify the underlying pathophysiology, reappraise the classification framework, and ultimately minimize misdiagnosis and time to proper diagnosis to improve outcomes for individuals affected by WDS.