title: CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT OF MELKERSSON-ROSENTHAL SYNDROME--OVERVIEW OF SIX PATIENTS.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is a rare disease of unknown etiology. Histopathologically, it presents as granulomatous cheilitis. From laboratory aspect, it is a nonspecific, differential diagnostically and therapeutically complex condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a report of six cases treated at the Department of Allergology and Immunology of the Clinical Center of Serbia, who had presented with the referral diagnosis of recurring or persistent lip edema, and who were diagnosed with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome upon detailed evaluation. Three patients had complete triad of symptoms, two had the oligosymptomatic form and one manifested the monosymptomatic form of the disease. Histopathological findings of the oral mucosa specimens verified the presence of non-necrotic epithelioid granulomas in all patients. The patients were treated with the H1 and H2 antihistamines, corticosteroids, followed by anabolic drugs and antibiotics, resulting in transient and unfavorable effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In differential diagnosis, Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome diagnosis primarily refers to conditions of angioneurotic edema and hereditary angioedema, as well as granulomatous diseases such as sarcoidosis, tuberculosis and Chron's disease. It is necessary to follow-up these patients in view of monitoring the effects of the therapy and possible development of systemic granulomatous diseases.
authors.forename: Sanvila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rašković
authors.forename: Jasna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bolpacić
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perić Popadić
authors.forename: Žikica
authors.initials: Ž
authors.lastname: Jovicić
authors.forename: Rada
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mišković
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bogić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008556:Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged