Orofacial Granulomatosis

Dermatol Clin. 2015 Jul;33(3):433-46. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2015.03.008. Epub 2015 May 6.

Abstract

Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is an uncommon chronic inflammatory disorder of the orofacial region. It is characterized by subepithelial noncaseating granulomas and has a spectrum of possible clinical manifestations ranging from subtle oral mucosal swelling to permanent disfiguring fibrous swelling of the lips and face. Etiopathogenesis is unknown. A range of systemic granulomatous disorders, including Crohn disease and sarcoidosis, may cause orofacial manifestations that cannot be distinguished from those of OFG. Treatment of OFG has proven difficult and unsatisfactory, with no single therapeutic model showing consistent efficacy in reducing orofacial swelling and mucosal inflammation.

Keywords: Crohn's disease; Granulomas; Granulomatous cheilitis; Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome; Orofacial granulomatosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Crohn Disease / complications
  • Edema / drug therapy
  • Edema / etiology
  • Edema / pathology*
  • Granulomatosis, Orofacial / drug therapy
  • Granulomatosis, Orofacial / etiology
  • Granulomatosis, Orofacial / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation
  • Sarcoidosis / complications