Hemihypertrophy

Hemihypertrophy is a disorder in which one side of the body or a part of one side is larger than the other. Isolated hemihypertrophy, now called isolated hemihyperplasia, is a congenital overgrowth disorder associated with an increased risk for embryonal tumors, mainly Wilms tumor and hepatoblastoma. Children with hemihypertrophy may also develop scoliosis, a curvature of the spine. There are two main surgical options for the treatment of hemihypertrophy, shortening and lengthening. Epiphysiodesis, which involves removing part of the growth plate of the longer leg, allowing the shorter leg to "catch up", is performed on patients still able to grow. Bone resection is performed on patients who have no growth left and involves removing part of the bone. Leg lengthening procedures are more painful, involving the insertion of pins to be turned, moving parts of the bone apart. This process is reserved mainly for patients with a discrepancy greater than 4 cm, although some leg lengthening procedures are now done cosmetically. Non-surgical options include attachment of a lift to the shoe, allowing the patient to walk normally. Hemifacial hyperplasia is believed to be a minor form of hemihypertrophy.