Local gigantism
{{short description|Condition where a certain body part grows larger than normal size}}
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 fingers and toes, where it is termed macrodactyly. However, sometimes an entire limb may be enlarged.{{cite journal |vauthors=Kyriakidis I, Pelagiadis I, Katzilakis N, Stiakaki E |title=Approach to Macrodactyly: A Case Report and Diagnostic Algorithm for Syndromic and Isolated Forms |journal=Pediatr Rep |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=32 |year=2025 |pmid= 40126231 |pmc= 11932304 |doi=10.3390/pediatric17020032|doi-access=free }}
Causes
Local gigantism may be caused by a heterogeneous group of both congenital and acquired conditions.
=Congenital=
Congenital causes include:
- Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome
- Maffucci syndrome
- macrodystrophia lipomatosa[http://www.ijri.org/articles/archives/20001002/letter3.htm Letter to the Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907143525/http://www.ijri.org/articles/archives/20001002/letter3.htm |date=September 7, 2015 }}
- neurofibromatosis,{{cite journal |vauthors=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=10.1007/BF00688556|s2cid=6650928 }}{{cite journal |vauthors=Chung IH, Kim NH, Choi IY |title=Macrodactylism associated with neurofibroma of the median nerve. A case report |journal=Yonsei Med. J. |volume=14 |pages=49–52 |year=1973 |doi=10.3349/ymj.1973.14.1.49 |pmid=4804132 |doi-access=free }}
- lipoatrophic diabetes.[http://www.ijri.org/articles/current_issue/gyn_349.asp Some case reports]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- Proteus syndrome, which by one theory accounts for the deformities of the 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
- tumors like osteoid osteoma, melorheostosis, and lipofibromatous hamartoma{{cite journal |vauthors=Razzaghi A, Anastakis DJ |title=Lipofibromatous hamartoma: review of early diagnosis and treatment |journal=Canadian Journal of Surgery |volume=48 |issue=5 |pages=394–9 |year=2005 |pmid=16248139 |pmc=3211895}}
- Arteriovenous malformations occurring on a limb, before the closure of epiphyses in long bones[http://indianheartjournal.com/SeptOctober2001/abstact/659-662/265_focal_gigantism.htm Case report] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514125923/http://indianheartjournal.com/SeptOctober2001/abstact/659-662/265_focal_gigantism.htm |date=May 14, 2006 }}
- Elephantiasis, which is quite common in southeast 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
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