Hemifacial Hyperplasia

Congenital Hemifacial Hypertrophy: A Case With Unilateral Tonsillar Hypertrophy and Parapharyngeal Space Lipoma

Congenital hemifacial hypertrophy, an uncommon developmental disease, is characterized by unilateral overgrowth in at least one body part, which can result in significant asymmetry. Meckel reported the first patient of congenital hemifacial hypertrophy in 1822. Since then, numerous cases have been investigated. This study reports a 2-year-old child diagnosed with hemifacial hypertrophy combined with unilateral tonsillar hypertrophy and parapharyngeal space lipoma. We concentrated on the treatment options as well as the related head and neck symptoms.

Hemifacial hyperplasia: a case series and review of the literature

Condylar hyperplasia is known to result in facial asymmetries and constitutes a well-recognized group of unilateral mandibular enlargements. Condylar hyperplasia has been sub-classified into hemimandibular hyperplasia and hemimandibular elongation. A much rarer disorder, hemifacial hyperplasia (or hemifacial hypertrophy) is a congenital malformation characterized by prominent unilateral overdevelopment of the hard and soft tissues of the face. The affected side grows at a faster rate than the non-affected side, creating a marked asymmetry that potentially involves the skeleton and teeth, as well as all components of the associated soft tissues. Hemifacial hyperplasia is usually identified at birth and progresses towards puberty, but is not thought to alter throughout the lifetime of affected individuals. A case series of five patients clinically diagnosed with hemifacial hyperplasia is presented, with the aim of reviewing the clinical features, discussing their individual surgical management, and summarizing the more recent identification of possible genetic mutations that may be responsible for hemifacial hyperplasia and related overgrowth disorders. It is speculated that depending on the genetic factors, the disorder may be progressive in specific cases.

Part II: Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)-Regeneration, Degeneration, and Adaptation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Elucidate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) development and pathophysiology relative to regeneration, degeneration, and adaption.

RECENT FINDINGS

The pharyngeal arch produces a highly conserved stomatognathic system that supports airway and masticatory function. An induced subperiosteal layer of fibrocartilage cushions TMJ functional and parafunctional loads. If the fibrocartilage disc is present, a fractured mandibular condyle (MC) regenerates near the eminence of the fossa via a blastema emanating from the medial periosteal surface of the ramus. TMJ degenerative joint disease (DJD) is a relatively painless osteoarthrosis, resulting in extensive sclerosis, disc destruction, and lytic lesions. Facial form and symmetry may be affected, but the residual bone is vital because distraction continues to lengthen the MC with anabolic bone modeling. Extensive TMJ adaptive, healing, and regenerative potential maintains optimal, life support functions over a lifetime. Unique aspects of TMJ development, function, and pathophysiology may be useful for innovative management of other joints.