Granulomatous glossitis as an unusual manifestation of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome

Cutis. 1995 Apr;55(4):244-6, 248.

Abstract

The case of a 59-year-old man with granulomatous glossitis is presented. The patient complained of increasing swelling of his tongue for years and a recent onset of perioral edema. Because of sarcoid-like granulomas found in a first lingual biopsy specimen, the disease was initially misdiagnosed as a localized form of sarcoidosis. A second biopsy specimen from the tongue revealed lymphonodular-plasmocytic granuloma-like infiltrates, which, in connection with the labial swelling, led to the diagnosis of Schuermann's glossitis granulomatosa as a peculiar manifestation of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. The surface of the tongue showed deep furrows characteristic of lingua plicata. However, no history or signs of facial or trigeminal nerve paralysis were present; thus the patient did not show the complete triad of symptoms typical of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. After treatment with clofazimine the perioral and lingual swelling disappeared within two weeks. Recurrences have been suppressed with a reduced maintenance dosage of this agent.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Clofazimine / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Edema / drug therapy
  • Edema / pathology
  • Glossitis / drug therapy
  • Glossitis / pathology*
  • Granuloma / drug therapy
  • Granuloma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lip Diseases / drug therapy
  • Lip Diseases / pathology
  • Male
  • Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis

Substances

  • Clofazimine