Cheilitis Glandularis: A Case Report of an Unusual Occurrence

TL;DR

This case report describes a rare lip condition called cheilitis glandularis in a 36-year-old man, possibly linked to sun exposure and involving chronic inflammation of the lips' salivary glands.

Contribution

The paper presents a rare case of cheilitis glandularis with a possible link to actinic radiation and highlights diagnostic challenges.

Findings

The patient showed symptoms like lip swelling, ulcerations, and oozing, with histology revealing lympho-plasmacytic infiltration and glandular changes.

The case suggests a possible role of actinic radiation in the etiology of cheilitis glandularis.

Treatment with steroids and immunosuppressants was used to manage the condition.

Abstract

Cheilitis glandularis (CG) is a rare chronic inflammatory condition of unknown etiology affecting the minor salivary glands of the lips. It presents as redness and dilatation of the ostia of minor salivary glands on the vermilion border, with variable degrees of macrocheilia and eversion of the lower lip.

A 36-year-old male patient had a chief complaint of burning sensation, with persistent swelling of the lower lip for two years and gradual appearance of ulcerations, crustations and intermittent oozing of liquid. Being a shepherd by occupation, he was constantly exposed to sunlight, suggesting the role of actinic radiation. The blood count parameters were normal with slightly raised ESR. No antibodies were detected in the antibody profile. On biopsy, histological evaluation showed prominent lympho-plasmacytic (Ig G4+++ plasma cells) infiltrate, atrophy of salivary acini, ductal ectasia, and sclerosis of collagen. The patient was treated with systemic, perilesional steroid injections and a topical immunosuppressant.

Cheilitis glandularis may mimic many other clinical conditions, hence thorough investigations are required to establish correct diagnosis and suitable care. The case highlights the actinic radiation-mediated inflammatory process as etiopathogenesis in such lesions.

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