—A diffuse bilateral, symmetrical hypertrophy of the bones of the face and later of the cranium, described first by Virchow, the real origin appearing to be in the superior maxillæ, the result being a peculiar leonine appearance of the face, hence the name given to the disease. There is no distinct tumor formation in the bone, but rather the entire structure of the bones involved is affected. As it advances function of the parts is interfered with, mastication becomes impossible, headache and pain are constant. The special senses are disturbed because of involvement of their nerves, and patients die usually from inanition, because no longer able to chew and swallow food. It is distinguished from Paget’s disease, because it shows no tendency to involve the rest of the skeleton; from acromegaly, in which the general shape of the jaw is preserved, though its dimensions are magnified; from tumors of the jaw or face, because of its symmetrical enlargement. Its pathogeny is as obscure as that of the other bone affections mentioned in this list, and its treatment as unsatisfactory.
Fig. 242
Leontiasis: skull of a Chinese woman. (U. S. A. Museum, No. 10,620.)
TUMORS OF BONE.
As between the various hypertrophic conditions of the bones above noted should be distinguished the true neoplasms, which answer all the requirements of the definition given in [Chapter XXVI]. There are few of the true tumors which may not be met with in bone, including the periosteum.
Fig. 243
Multiple enchondromas of fingers.