Intralymphatic granulomas as a pathogenic factor in cheilitis granulomatosa/Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: report of a case with immunohistochemical and molecular studies

Am J Dermatopathol. 2011 Aug;33(6):594-8. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181f04912.

Abstract

Orofacial granulomatosis, an uncommon immunologically mediated disorder, includes cheilitis granulomatosa and Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. It is clinically characterized by recurrent or persistent swelling of the orofacial tissues with a spectrum of other orofacial features and sometimes with neurological symptoms. The pathological findings are varied but are often characterized by the presence of noncaseating granuloma. We present a new case of orofacial granulomatosis with unusual histopathological findings, namely, intralymphatic granulomas. These may be the cause of the tissue edema. We demonstrated, by immunohistochemical studies, the lymphatic nature of the vessels affected by the granulomatous process.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cheilitis / metabolism
  • Cheilitis / pathology*
  • DNA / analysis
  • Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte
  • Granuloma / genetics
  • Granuloma / metabolism
  • Granuloma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphatic Vessels / metabolism
  • Lymphatic Vessels / pathology*
  • Male
  • Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome / genetics
  • Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome / metabolism
  • Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome / pathology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • DNA