An abnormal swelling or enlargement of one or more extremities, of certain portions of the body, or of one half of the body has always been considered an interesting condition. Often the determination of the exact nature of the hypertrophy is difficult, especially in the first and second decades of life. In addition, the prognosis and the treatment present a problem the solution of which is still more difficult. In view of this, an attempt has been made to develop a classification of the hypertrophies of infancy and childhood, based on a few cases, one of which is reported in detail, together with a review of the literature.
The following classification is presented at this time with the hope that it will be of some value in the diagnosis, and possibly in the prognosis and the treatment.
CLASSIFICATION