title: Orofacial granulomatosis in children: think about Crohn's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The term orofacial granulomatosis is conventionally used to describe patients with granulomatous lesions affecting the orofacial tissues, in absence of intestinal lesions. Lip swelling and facial swelling are the most common clinical signs. Despite the fact that histologically it is not distinguishable from Crohn's disease, and that both diseases have a chronic/recurrent course, the relationship between orofacial granulomatosis and Crohn's disease is still debated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Herein we present five cases of orofacial granulomatosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients presented concomitant Crohn's disease, supporting the hypothesis that orofacial granulomatosis and Crohn's disease may be one single disease. Thalidomide was effective in inducing remission of oral and intestinal symptoms in all five cases and could be considered a valid treatment opportunity for these patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orofacial granulomatosis and Crohn's disease may be part of the same disease; both may respond to thalidomide.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazzerini
authors.affiliation: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martelossi
authors.affiliation: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cont
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Ospedale Buzzi, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bersanini
authors.affiliation: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy; University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Ospedale Buzzi, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Ospedale Buzzi, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zuin
authors.affiliation: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy; University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.affiliation: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy; University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy. Electronic address: andrea.taddio@burlo.trieste.it.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taddio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D051261:Granulomatosis, Orofacial / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide
keywords: Crohn's disease; Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome; Orofacial granulomatosis; Thalidomide