Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: a classical case report

• Main Authors: Carina DOMANESCHI (Author), Claudia Fabiana Joca de ARRUDA (Author), Vanessa Juliana Gomes CARVALHO (Author), Rennan Luiz Oliveira dos SANTOS (Author), Norberto Nobuo SUGAYA (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic, 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1981-8637; 10.1590/1981-86372023001920200005
• Keywords: Facial paralysis; Fissured tongue; Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome; Dentistry; RK1-715
• Source: RGO: Revista Gaúcha de Odontologia, Vol 71 (2023)

ABSTRACT The Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome constitutes a rare manifestation characterized by a triad of signs and symptoms: recurrent orofacial edema, fissured tongue, and recurrent facial paralysis. The difficulty in diagnosing Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is that orofacial edema is common to various diseases besides the lack of awareness of the syndrome by health professionals and the frequent metachronous manifestation of its symptomatology. The aim of this report is to present a classical case of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome and its clinical and therapeutic approach. A patient who sought for assistance at the Stomatology Clinic presented a synchronous manifestation of the triad: a left lip and cheek nonpitting edema accompanied by facial paralysis on the same side and fissured tongue. Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome was diagnosed due to the presence of the triad of signs and symptoms after initially ruling out Crohn's disease, Sarcoidosis, and tuberculosis due to a lack of intestinal or respiratory complaints and absence of other clinical evidence. The treatment administered was steroids, the most common treatment with a satisfied prognosis we found in the literature for Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome patients. We recommend its implementation intralesional injections of betamethasone dipropionate as after four infiltrations the edema subsided by 80% with no further relapses within one-year follow-up.