[Progressive hemifacial atrophy in the young patient: physiopathologic hypotheses, diagnosis and therapy]

Parry-Romberg syndrome is characterized by a limited progressive hemifacial atrophy. Since its first description in 1825, this syndrome has aroused interrogation and reflection about is pathophysiology, its variable clinical expression and its progression. The first part of this focuses on the different hypotheses advanced to date to explain this type of atrophy. We then recall the different steps for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Management of such an unpredictable disorder is particularly difficult. Because of the uncertain pathophysiology, medical therapy has not been very successful. Palliative reconstruction surgery remains the only possibility. We present three cases illustrating this review of progressive hemifacial atrophy.