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Progressive hemifacial atrophy
Other Names for this Disease
- Hemifacial atrophy, progressive
- Parry-Romberg syndrome
- Romberg hemi-facial atrophy
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Overview
Progressive hemifacial atrophy, or Parry-Romberg syndrome, is a condition that causes the breakdown of the skin and soft tissues of half of the face. Symptoms and severity vary from person to person. This condition tends to begin in childhood between the ages of 5 and 15 years, and worsen over the course of 2 to 10 years before stabilizing. In addition to the skin and soft tissues, the deterioration can involve the mouth and tongue, facial bones, eye socket, and eye. Other symptoms may include loss of facial hair, changes in skin color in affected areas, seizures, and episodes of severe facial pain. Treatment may involve reconstructive or microvascular surgery. Currently, the cause of the condition is unknown.[1][2]
References
- NINDS Parry-Romberg Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parry_romberg/parry_romberg.htm. Accessed August 7, 2012.
- Stone J. Parry Romberg Syndrome. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/489/viewAbstract. Accessed August 7, 2012.
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General Information
- The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
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- PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Progressive hemifacial atrophy. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
- The The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Progressive hemifacial atrophy. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources.