Granulomatous cheilitis of Miescher: a rare entity

BMC Womens Health. 2023 Mar 21;23(1):118. doi: 10.1186/s12905-023-02280-9.

Abstract

Background: Granulomatous cheilitis (GC) is a rare entity of unknown etiology. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder with a predilection for young females. It is characterized by asymptomatic unrelenting swelling of lips. It is a monosymptomatic form or an incomplete variant of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (a triad of recurrent orofacial swelling, relapsing facial paralysis, and fissuring of the tongue).

Case presentation: We herewith report a case of a 27-year-old female, presenting with persistent upper lip swelling, for 3 months. Biopsy from the lesion revealed features of granulomatous cheilitis.

Conclusion: GC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unrelenting swelling in the lip. Spontaneous remission is rare, and recurrences are common. Corticosteroids used for treatment provide temporary improvement.

Keywords: Case report; Cheilitis; Female; Lip; Recurrence; Steroids.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome* / drug therapy
  • Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome* / pathology
  • Recurrence
  • Remission, Spontaneous