Granulomatous cheilitis: differential diagnosis in patients with macrocheilia

BMJ Case Rep. 2023 May 23;16(5):e251829. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-251829.

Abstract

Macrocheilia, or lip enlargement, has a varied aetiology, but granulomatous conditions, both infective and non-infective, comprise a significant proportion of patients. Diagnosis starts with clinical investigations while histological examination is required for a definitive diagnosis. In the case presented, a young man presented with painless swelling of upper lip over the past 3 months. Given the clinical history and biopsy results, the diagnosis of granulomatous cheilitis was made which is considered a rare manifestation of metastatic Crohn's disease. Treatment options remain debated, though in the situation presented a conservative approach was adopted, consisting of antibiotics and corticosteroid therapy, which resulted in significant remission in lip swelling without recurrence after a 3-month follow-up.

Keywords: Dentistry and oral medicine; Dermatology; Inflammatory bowel disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Lip
  • Male
  • Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary*
  • Patients

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents