Signs and Symptoms of Orofacial Granulomatosis:
- Persistent or recurrent enlargement of the lips, causing them to protrude
- Midline fissuring of the lip (median cheilitis) or angular cheilitis (sores at the corner of the mouth)
- Oral ulceration (mouth ulcers) which may be aphthous-like or chronic and deep
- Full width gingivitis
- Fissured tongue
Causes and Associations of Orofacial Granulomatosis:
- Unknown cause
- Non-caseating granulomatous inflammation
- Disagreement on whether it represents an early form of Crohn's disease or sarcoidosis
- Possible association with oral Crohn's disease
- Suspected sources of antigens include metals and additives/preservatives in foods
Diagnosis of Orofacial Granulomatosis:
- Usually diagnosed through tissue biopsy
- Cannot reliably distinguish between OFG, Crohn's disease, or sarcoidosis
- Other causes of granulomatous inflammation are ruled out
Classification of Orofacial Granulomatosis:
- OFG could be classified as a type of cheilitis and a granulomatous condition
Treatment of Orofacial Granulomatosis:
- Anti-tumor necrosis factor α drugs (e.g. infliximab)
- Dietary restriction of suspected or proven antigens
- Management may involve cinnamon or benzoate-free diets
Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is a condition characterised by persistent enlargement of the soft tissues of the mouth, lips and the area around the mouth on the face, causing in most cases extreme pain. The mechanism of the enlargement is granulomatous inflammation. The underlying cause of the condition is not completely understood, and there is disagreement as to how it relates to Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis.
| Orofacial granulomatosis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | granulomatous cheilitis, cheilitis granulomatosa, cheilitis granulomatosis, oral granulomatosis |
| Specialty | Gastroenterology  |
