Cheilitis Granulomatosa
Pronunciation: ky-LY-tis gran-yoo-loh-mah-TOH-sah
A chronic, non-tender enlargement of one or both lips caused by non-caseating granulomatous inflammation, considered part of the orofacial granulomatosis spectrum.
Full Definition
Cheilitis granulomatosa, also known as Miescher's cheilitis, presents as persistent or relapsing soft lip swelling that may eventually become permanent due to lymphoedema and fibrosis. It is histologically indistinguishable from the lip manifestation of Crohn's disease or sarcoidosis and is regarded as a monosymptomatic form of Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome. The term should not be confused with other forms of cheilitis, which are primarily inflammatory or infective rather than granulomatous. Editors should note the Latin adjective 'granulomatosa' is not italicised in standard clinical usage but remains lower case.
Usage
Usage note: Lower case 'granulomatosa'; not italicised in running clinical text. Avoid shortening to 'granulomatous cheilitis' in formal diagnostic contexts without clarification.
In Context
- "Biopsy of the persistent lower lip swelling confirmed cheilitis granulomatosa with non-caseating granulomata." — Histopathology report
- "Authors should distinguish cheilitis granulomatosa from the broader umbrella diagnosis of orofacial granulomatosis." — Editorial guidance