A case of Cheilitis granulomatosa

Abstract

Cheilitis granulomatosa is a rare disorder of uncertain etiology and characterized by a recurrent orofacial swelling, which was described by Miescher in 1945 for the first time. Symptoms usually manifest during adolescence and initially transient, but subsequently a chronic progressive disability develops. No efficient mode of therapy is yet available. A 71-year-old woman presented with a prominent upper lip swelling which had persisted for more than 6 years. There were no fissuring of the tongue and facial palsy. Oral prednisone was instituted for 6 months with moderate clinical improvement. 2 years later, multiple biopsies were performed at the hard palate, gingiva, and inferior turbinate. And the specimens from the gingiva and inferior turbinate showed scattered non-caseating granulomas, consistent with 'Cheilitis Granulomatosa'. We present here our experience with long-term trial of oral corticosteroid in a 71-year-old woman with cheilitis granulomatosa who had suffered recurrent labial swelling.