Parry-Romberg syndrome is a rare acquired disorder that is seen in the first or second decade of life. It progresses slowly before entering the stable phase.
The condition is characterized by the thinning or shrinkage of various tissues of the face, including fats, skin, or connective tissue, muscles, and bone. The condition typically affects one side of the face; however, it can sometimes affect both sides as well.
Parry-Romberg syndrome is a rare condition seen in 1 out of 250,000 people and affects girls more than boys.
What causes Parry-Romberg syndrome?
The exact cause of Parry-Romberg syndrome is unknown, but the following few factors are thought to increase the risk of the condition:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Bacterial or viral infection
- Inflammation of the brain and meninges
- Abnormalities in the nervous system
- Trauma
Very rarely, the condition may be genetically inherited, but no proper evidence shows the relation between genetics and Parry-Romberg syndrome.
More studies are required to know the proper cause of the Parry -Romberg syndrome. The cause of the syndrome may also vary from person to person, and the development of the condition may require the simultaneous presence of various factors.
What are the signs and symptoms of Parry-Romberg syndrome?
Parry-Romberg syndrome's most common symptoms include thinning or shrinkage of the skin, soft tissues, muscles, and bones. The shrinkage of muscles and skin results in some evident physical abnormalities or deformities, such as:
- Abnormal shifting of nose and mouth to one side of the face
- The eyes, face, and facial skin may show a sunken appearance
- Ears in the affected individual may be small and appear abnormal, protruding from the face due to loss of supporting tissue in the skin
- Changes in skin color (hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation)
- Hair loss or hair turning white, loss of eyelashes or a portion of eyebrows
- Facial bone or muscle loss
- Abnormalities in the mouth, such as trismus (difficulty opening the mouth) and teeth (misaligned teeth)
Systemic abnormalities are also noticed, such as:
- Neurological symptoms such as seizures, migraine, and facial pain due to trigeminal neuralgia
- Vision changes
- Jaw abnormalities
How is Parry-Romberg syndrome diagnosed?
The following are the ways to diagnose Parry-Romberg syndrome:
How to treat Parry-Romberg syndrome
Parry-Romberg syndrome mostly affects the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth, which causes difficulties in vision, hearing, speech, and dental functions. Therefore, it is very important to treat the condition.
The treatment of Parry-Romberg syndrome typically includes surgical procedures. Reconstructive surgery is done, which involves moving the fat and soft tissues from other sites to where it is needed. More extensive procedures are done to treat bone deformities.
https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/parry-romberg-syndrome
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/parry-romberg-syndrome
Top How Fast Does Parry-Romberg Syndrome Progress Related Articles
Can You Live a Long Life With Autoimmune Disease?
You may be concerned that your condition will affect your projected lifespan. Most people can expect to live a long life with an autoimmune disease, though.
Down Syndrome
Get the facts on Down syndrome, a genetic disorder caused by an additional set of chromosomes in a developing fetus. Down syndrome signs and symptoms include distinctive facial features, growth retardation, and decreased mental function and IQ. Blood tests and ultrasound may be used to screen for Down syndrome but chromosome analysis of the fetus is needed to diagnose the condition. People with Down syndrome age more quickly and may develop Alzheimer's disease as young as age 40. Sometimes people are diagnosed with mosaic Down syndrome, in which case they have more than one type of chromosomal makeup.
Family Health History: Genetics, DNA Testing and Your Health
WebMD explains why your doctor asks about your relatives' health conditions and how you can get the information if you don’t know.
Genetic Diseases
The definition of a genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Some types of genetic inheritance include single inheritance, including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, and hemochromatosis. Other types of genetic diseases include multifactorial inheritance. Still other types of genetic diseases include chromosome abnormalities (for example, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome), and mitochondrial inheritance (for example, epilepsy and dementia).
11 Surprising Things Your Genes Say About You
Explore what role DNA plays in your health, love life, and more in this WebMD slideshow.
Healthy Living: How to Cool Down When You’re Always Hot
Can’t chill out -- literally? Try these tips to cool off so you’re more comfortable.
Is Parry–Romberg Syndrome an Autoimmune Disease?
An autoimmune mechanism is suspected for Parry-Romberg Syndrome (PRS), however, other research also links infectious diseases to the syndrome.
Optic Neuritis
Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, the structure that connects the eye to the brain. The precise cause of optic neuritis is unknown, but it is thought to be a type of autoimmune disorder. Optic neuritis most commonly develops due to an autoimmune disorder that may be triggered by a viral infection.
Vitiligo (Neck) Picture
Vitiligo. This photo shows a large patch of vitiligo on the back neck of a child. These types of white patches develop after skin has lost its melanin when the pigment-forming cells known as melanocytes have been destroyed. The condition tends to progress and may even become universal. Sophisticated cover-up cosmetics that are now available. For some patients the application of topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors alone or with brief natural sunlight exposure early in the course of the disease may induce repigmentation. Varying combinations of topical or oral psoralens and ultraviolet light called PUVA (a combination of psoralen and long-wave ultraviolet radiation) are sometimes used in the treatment of vitiligo. The use of broad-spectrum sunscreens during the summer months can minimize the contrast between normal and involved skin.What Are the Different Autoimmune Disorders?
An autoimmune disorder occurs when a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks their own body tissues such as the skin or joints considering them as foreign.
What Causes Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by abnormal cell division resulting in chromosomal abnormality. Abnormalities include an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. This genetic abnormality leads to developmental and physical changes that are characteristic of Down syndrome.
What Happens if Vitiligo Is Left Untreated?
Vitiligo is a long-term (chronic) medical condition causing areas of skin to lose color. This presents with pale white patches on the skin. The patches do not cause any pain or itch. The condition results from the loss of skin pigment, melanin.What Are 4 Common Symptoms of Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is a type of genetic disorder in which a person has an extra chromosome (rod-like structures that contain genes) inside the cells. Learn about symptoms, causes, and treatment.
What Is Optic Nerve Sheath Meningioma?
Optic nerve sheath meningioma (ONSM) is a nonaggressive and slow-growing tumor in the eye. They usually grow over the layer that covers the optic nerve in the eye. Meningiomas are the most common tumors diagnosed inside the skull. Due to their slow-growing nature, they are not fatal, but they may interfere with vision.
What Triggers Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a disease that changes your skin color. Learn more about the types of vitiligo, signs of vitiligo, and various treatment options.