Parry-Romberg syndrome was first described by Parry in 1825 and then by Romberg in 1846. It is a rare, acquired disorder characterized by slow and progressive atrophy of soft tissues of half the face. Usually the left side of the face is affected and in some cases, the facial muscles, cartilages, as well as, the bones are involved. Other symptoms may develop in some patients including neurological abnormalities, optic nerve damage, bone loss, alopecia, and pigmentation irregularities.
The degree of atrophy can vary widely, ranging from mild, barely perceptible changes to significant asymmetry. The disorder is more common in females than in males. The onset of the Parry-Romberg syndrome is usually between the ages of 5 and 15 years. To date, there is no cure and there are no treatments that can stop the progression of Parry-Romberg syndrome.