Local gigantism 4297802 224827042 2008-07-10T16:21:55Z Kukini 731091 /* References */ updating [[Image:Local gigantism.JPG|right|thumb|250px|'''Local gigantism''' affecting 2nd toe of a child]]'''Local [[gigantism]]''' or '''localised gigantism''' is a condition in which a certain part of the body acquires larger than normal size due to excessive growth of the anatomical structures or abnormal accumulation of substances. It is more common in [[finger]]s and [[toe]]s, where it is termed '''macrodactyly'''. However, sometimes an entire limb may be enlarged. == Causes == Local gigantism may be caused by a heterogeneous group of both [[congenital disorder|congenital]] and acquired conditions. === Congenital === [[Image:Elephantman1.jpg|200px|right|thumb|An extreme example of local gigantism in [[Joseph Merrick]], the Elephant Man, who had [[Proteus syndrome]]]] Congenital causes include: *[[Klippel Trenaunay Weber syndrome]] *[[Maffucci syndrome]] *[[macrodystrophia lipomatosa]]<ref>[http://www.ijri.org/articles/archives/20001002/letter3.htm Letter to the Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging]</ref> *[[neurofibromatosis]],<ref>{{cite journal |author=Lassmann H, Gebhart W, Mamoli B, Niebauer G |title=Nervous lesions in a case of local gigantism |journal=Acta Neuropathol. |volume=38 |issue=2 |pages=109–15 |year=1977 |pmid=878849 |doi=}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Chung IH, Kim NH, Choi IY |title=Macrodactylism associated with neurofibroma of the median nerve. A case report |journal=Yonsei Med. J. |volume=14 |issue= |pages=49–52 |year=1973 |pmid=4804132 |doi=}}</ref> *[[lipoatrophic diabetes]].<ref>[http://www.ijri.org/articles/current_issue/gyn_349.asp Some case reports]</ref> *[[Proteus syndrome]], which affected the [[Joseph Merrick|Elephant Man]] === Acquired === There are a number of acquired causes of local gigantism. A body part can attain bigger size from causes as common as the following: *[[inflammation]], due to trauma or infection *[[tumor]]s like [[Osteoma|osteoid osteoma]], [[melorheostosis]], and [[lipofibromatous hamartoma]]<ref>{{cite journal |author=Razzaghi A, Anastakis DJ |title=Lipofibromatous hamartoma: review of early diagnosis and treatment |journal=Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie |volume=48 |issue=5 |pages=394–9 |year=2005 |pmid=16248139 |doi=}}</ref> *[[Arteriovenous malformation]]s occurring on a limb, before the closure of [[epiphyses]] in [[long bone]]s<ref>[http://indianheartjournal.com/SeptOctober2001/abstact/659-662/265_focal_gigantism.htm Case report]</ref> *[[Elephantiasis]], which is quite common in [[south-east asia]] due to prevalence of [[filariasis]]. *[[Still's disease]] *[[amyloidosis]] *[[acromegaly]] ===Treatment=== As the causes of local gigantism are varied, treatment depends on the particular condition. Treatment may range from [[antibiotics]] and other medical therapy, to [[surgery]] in order to correct the anatomical anomaly. ==References== <!-- this 'empty' section displays references defined elsewhere --> {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.medcyclopaedia.com/library/topics/volume_iii_1/g/GIGANTISM.aspx Medcyclopedia article] [[Category:Growth disorders]] {{medicine-stub}}