Progressive facial hemiatrophy: MRI appearances

Abstract

The cranial CT and MRI appearances of a 14-year-old girl with Parry-Romberg syndrome and epilepsy are described. The findings are compared with the two published descriptions of MRI and CT in such patients. MRI appearances in our patient differ from those published and may be consistent with a vascular malformation. The one published report on the intracranial histopathology of a patient with Parry-Romberg syndrome and epilepsy states that a microscopic vascular malformation was found. We discuss the relationship between radiological and pathological findings. The possible aetiologies of Parry-Romberg syndrome (vascular malformation, immunological, trauma, sympathetic innervation, hereditary, slow virus) are discussed. We suggest that Parry-Romberg syndrome could be regarded as a neurocutaneous syndrome, a component of which includes intracerebral vascular dysplasia. In this and the other three cases of Parry-Romberg syndrome with epilepsy, the sensitivity of MRI in detecting intracranial lesions is demonstrated. Recommendations for imaging these patients are proposed.