A Case of Glandular Cheilitis Presenting with Recurrent Swelling of the Lips during the Course of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Cheilitis glandularis (CG) is a rare disorder of unknown etiology charactarized by inflamation of the minor salivary glands of the lower lip. Clinically, three variants have been described: cheilitis glandularis simplex, cheilitis glandularis suppurativa, and cheilitis glandularis apostematosa. Most cases are diagnosed as the simple form of glandular cheilitis, which is characterized by enlarged excretory ducts, induration, and enlargement of the salivary glands as well as production of a rather mucopurulent saliva. The diagnosis of CG is done with clinical and pathologic correlation. A swollen lip is common in clinical practice, but the differential diagnosis and management of the condition may be challenging. Lip swelling may be related to a local or systemic condition. We hereby report an unusual case of CG of lips in a female patient visited the deparment of Internal Medicine, Ege Univercity. She was being followed up with the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and presented with recurrent swelling of the lips repeatedly. She had previously been followed up for angioedema because of recurrent swelling of the lips. The patient's laboratory tests were normal and lip biopsy was consistent with glandular cheilitis. The aim of this article is to discuss the differential diagnosis of glandular cheilitis.