Open AccessClitoromegaly in Childhood and Adolescence: Behind One Clinical Sign, a Clinical Sea
Author(s) -
Maria Laura Iezzi,
Stefania Lasorella,
Gaia Varriale,
Luca Zagaroli,
M Ambrosi,
Alberto Verrotti
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
sexual development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1661-5433
pISSN - 1661-5425
DOI - 10.1159/000489385
Subject(s) - clitoris , disorders of sex development , physical examination , ambiguous genitalia , external genitalia , hyperandrogenism , medicine , surgery , anatomy , pathology , insulin resistance , polycystic ovary , obesity
The clitoris is a highly complex organ whose structure has only been clarified in recent years through the use of modern imaging techniques. Clitoromegaly is an abnormal enlargement of this organ. It may be congenital or acquired and is usually due to an excess of androgens in fetal life, infancy, or adolescence. Obvious clitoromegaly in individuals with ambiguous genitalia is easily identifiable, whereas borderline conditions can pass unnoticed. Case reports of clitoromegaly with or without clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism are quite numerous. In these subjects, a comprehensive physical examination and an accurate personal and family history are needed to investigate the enlargement. We reviewed the literature on the conditions that may be involved in the development of clitoromegaly in childhood and adolescence.