Parry Romberg Syndrome or Progressive Hemifacial Atrophy is a rare disease. It starts at an early age ranging from the age of 5 up to 15 years. The syndrome is characterized as as a slowly progressing impairment (atrophy or deterioration) of the skin and tissues of the half portion of the face (or hemifacial atrophy) which usually happens in the left area. In some rare cases, it can be that both parts of the face are affected, or the atrophy might also affect the lower and upper limbs. Mostly, individuals suffering from Parry-Romberg Syndrome see some of the symptoms at the age of 20. Women are prone to this type of syndrome.
The progression period of the atrophy lasts from 2 up to 10 years, and then after that, it will proceed to a stable stage or phase by which the atrophy slows down. If the disease occurs around the eye, complications in the retina or the optic nerves might happen.
Parry-Romberg Syndrome’s atrophy varies from mild to crucial changes. In some cases, if the syndrome started at childhood, the progression instantly increases. In some mild cases, it doesn’t cause a person to be disabled except for the cosmetic effect. Different prognosis happens in different individuals. Atrophy stops before it affects the whole part of the face in some cases.
