Cheilitis Granulomatosa 

  • Author: Crispian Scully, MD, PhD, MDS, CBE, MRCS, FDSRCS, FDSRCPS, FFDRCSI, FDSRCSE, FRCPath, FMedSci, FHEA, FUCL, DSc, DChD, DMed(HC), Dr(HC), ; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 20, 2012
 

Background

Cheilitis granulomatosa (or granulomatous cheilitis) is a chronic swelling of the lip due to granulomatous inflammation. Miescher cheilitis is the term used when the granulomatous changes are confined to the lip. Miescher cheilitis is generally regarded as a monosymptomatic form of the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, although the possibility remains that these may be 2 separate diseases. (See the image below.)

Labial swelling and angular cheilitis. Labial swelling and angular cheilitis.

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is the term used when cheilitis occurs with facial palsy and plicated tongue; this syndrome is occasionally a manifestation of Crohn disease[1, 2, 3, 4, 5] or orofacial granulomatosis (OFG). The latter term is used when there is no evidence of Crohn disease, but some patients progress to manifest Crohn disease. Thus, the terminology can be confusing.

Granulomatous cheilitis is a rare condition, although its actual frequency is unknown. Onset of granulomatous cheilitis usually occurs in young adult life. Swelling is typically chronic. Morbidity related to the disease depends on whether an underlying organic disease, such as Crohn disease or sarcoidosis,[6] is present.

A 2011 study of one of the largest cohorts (N=219) reports on the characteristics of patients with OFG.[7]

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Etiology

In granulomatous cheilitis, normal lip architecture is eventually altered by the presence of lymphoedema and noncaseating granulomas in the lamina propria. TH 1 immunocytes produce interleukin 12 and RANTES/MIP-1alpha and granulomas. Expression of protease-activated receptor 1 and 2 occurs in orofacial granulomatosis (OFG). HLA typing may show HLA-A2 or HLA-A11.[8]

The cause of granulomatous cheilitis is unknown.[9] A genetic predisposition may exist in Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome; siblings have been affected, and a plicated tongue may be present in otherwise unaffected relatives. Crohn disease, sarcoidosis, and OFG may present in a similar clinical fashion and with identical histologic findings. Similar findings have also been reported after liver transplantation in children.[10]

Dietary or other antigens are the most common identified cause of OFG.[11, 12] Contact antigens such as cobalt, gold, or mercury are sometimes implicated.[13] OFG may also result from reactions to some foods or medicaments, particularly cinnamon aldehyde and benzoates, but also butylated hydroxyanisole, dodecyl gallate, menthol, and monosodium glutamate.[14]

A summary of possibilities follows:

  • Genetics - Debate about link with HLA antigen
  • Food allergy - Various food additives thought to cause or precipitant event; 60% of individuals with condition are atopic (eczema, IgE levels); prime causative agents or exacerbation of disease
  • Allergy to dental material - No conclusive evidence
  • Infection - Studies have focused on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacteriumparatuberculosis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Borrelia burgdorferi but provide insufficient evidence
  • Immunological - Hypothesis that no single antigen causes disease, rather a random influx of inflammatory cells; delayed sensitivity reaction rather than super antigen; results reflect an immunological nature
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Crispian Scully, MD, PhD, MDS, CBE, MRCS, FDSRCS, FDSRCPS, FFDRCSI, FDSRCSE, FRCPath, FMedSci, FHEA, FUCL, DSc, DChD, DMed(HC), Dr(HC),  Professor of Oral Medicine, Bristol University; Co-Director of World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Oral Health-General Health; Emeritus Professor of Oral Medicine and Special Care Dentistry, University College London; Professor, Oral Medicine, Pathology, and Microbiology, University of London; Visiting Professor at Universities of Athens,Edinburgh, Granada, Helsinki and Plymouth

Crispian Scully, MD, PhD, MDS, CBE, MRCS, FDSRCS, FDSRCPS, FFDRCSI, FDSRCSE, FRCPath, FMedSci, FHEA, FUCL, DSc, DChD, DMed(HC), Dr(HC), is a member of the following medical societies: Academy of Medical Science, British Society for Oral Medicine, European Association for Oral Medicine, International Academy of Oral Oncology, International Association for Dental Research, and International Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

David P Fivenson, MD Associate Director, St Joseph Mercy Hospital Dermatology Program, Ann Arbor, Michigan

David P Fivenson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Medical Dermatology Society, Michigan Dermatological Society, Michigan State Medical Society, Photomedicine Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Wound Healing Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Warren R Heymann, MD Head, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Warren R Heymann, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Labial swelling and angular cheilitis.
Orofacial granulomatosis in a patient with Crohn disease.
 
 
 
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