Orofacial granulomatosis: clinical study of 20 patients

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical features of a series of patients with orofacial granulomatosis (OFG).

Study design: Twenty patients diagnosed with OFG at Bellvitge Hospital (Barcelona, Spain) from 1985 to 2010 were included in the study.

Results: All of our patients (9 men and 11 women, median age 48.1 years) presented with labial swelling. Six patients presented with recurrent orofacial swelling, 12 with permanent swelling, and 2 with progressive swelling. Fissured tongue was observed in 9 cases, and 2 patients presented with recurrent episodes of peripheral facial paralysis. The median follow-up time was 65.1 months, ranging from 4 to 300 months. None of our patients developed sarcoidosis or Crohn disease.

Conclusions: In the south of Europe, OFG does not appear to be as frequently associated with Crohn disease as in northern Europe. Although several treatments may achieve transient control of the orofacial swelling, there is no curative treatment for OFG and some patients may develop embarrassing lesions.