Diagnosis and treatment experience of granulomatous cheilitis: case report and literature review

To investigate the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of granulomatous cheilitis (GC).

For a patient with recurrent granulomatous cheilitis for more than 1 year in whom no medical treatment was used, only systemic treatment of the teeth was performed, and its efficacy was observed. We also reviewed the relevant literature.

The vermilion of the right lower lip of the patient was obviously swollen and soft. There was rebound and no pitting edema with palpation. A large dark red rash with local desquamation was observed on the skin over the right mandible. There were residual roots in tooth 35, 46, and 47, a porcelain bridge on 11-24, deep caries in 15, 16, 26, and 36, and many calculi in the whole mouth, and the gingival margin was obviously congested and swollen. Histopathological examination showed many lymphocytes infiltrated the superficial dermis, and granulation tissue, plasma cells and eosinophils infiltrated locally. The diagnosis was as follows: ① GC; ② 35, 46, and 47 residual roots; ③ 15, 16, 26, and 36 deep caries; ④ gingivitis. The treatment included extraction of 35, 46, and 47 residual roots, periodontal basic treatment, and fillings for 15, 16, 26, and 36. No drugs were administered except for 3 days after tooth extraction. After 5 weeks of treatment, the swelling of the lower lip and the skin rash completely disappeared. There was no recurrence in the follow-up observation at six months. Through a literature review and analysis, we found that GC may be related to various factors such as immunity, infection, and genetics. Local oral infections may be closely related to the incidence of GC.

Resolution of local oral infections is effective for the treatment of granulomatous cheilitis, and local oral infections may be closely related to the onset of granulomatous cheilitis. In the treatment of granulomatous cheilitis, attention should be paid to the systematic examination of the oral condition, and the treatment of suspected lesions in the oral cavity should begin in the early stages of treatment.