Leontiasis ossea (Virchow type), with report of a case showing generalised bone changes.

Abstract

Leontiasis ossea is a descriptive term covering many diseases producing slowly progressive facial deformity. The Virchow type of sclerosing osteitis of the facial bones is one of the rarer causes. The literature of the Virchow type of leontiasis is reviewed and an example of the generalised form of the disease is reported in a man of 53 years, in whom the skull, dorsal spine, ribs, sacrum and left tibia were involved. It is felt that the Virchow type of leontiasis ossea is a separate disease not associated with melorheostosis and, though, usually confined to the skull, is also capable of involving other parts of the skeleton.