Progressive facial hemiatrophy (Parry-Romberg disease). Report of two cases associated with trigeminal neuralgia and cramps

Abstract

The authors report two cases of progressive facial hemiatrophy (PFH) associated with cranial nerves hyperexcitability. One of them (Case 1), a 41-year-old-woman noticed a slight atrophy on the left side of her face at age of ten. For the last three months, she has been suffering from fits of neuralgic pains on the left side of her face which have not ceased by drug treatment In view of this, a surgery procedure was planned for the patient. The other patient (Case 2), a 33-year-old-woman has a 8 year history which started with cutaneous abnormalities (white and dark spots). Two years later she observed that her right cheek and right thigh had got a mild atrophy. Frequently, she has been complaining of cramps in the mandibular region which are precipitated, sometimes, by opening the mouth. A probable relation between neural excitability and PHF is discussed.