Clinical features of orthodontic patients with Romberg syndrome

Abstract

Romberg syndrome（also known as progressive hemifacial atrophy, or Parry-Romberg syndrome） is a developmental craniofacial disorder characterized by a slow and progressive but self-limited hemifacial, unilateral atrophy of facial tissues, including skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles, bones, and cartilage. Patients’ chief complaints are esthetic problems as well as functional and psychological problems due to facial asymmetry. Herein, we investigated the clinical features of two Japanese orthodontic patients with Romberg syndrome. We were unable to identify any typical feature despite observing enlarged periodontal membranes and loosening teeth. These features may therefore be a type of symptoms of Romberg syndrome. Although this syndrome is rare, some individuals with Romberg syndrome have important features that require orthodontic treatment, and orthodontists should thus be aware of this disease.