Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome in India: experience with six cases

Six patients with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (M-R syndrome) were presented. Their ages varied from 20 to 60 years; age at onset was between 15 and 50 years. In all 6 patients, swelling started first over the lower lip. Associated facial palsy, facial edema, and scrotal tongue were found in three, four and one patients, respectively. Lip biopsies from 5 patients failed to show any granuloma. Intralesional corticosteroids produced mild regression of labial swelling in two patients after 6 injections. In one patient, near total reduction of labial swelling and facial edema was achieved after 5 months of clofazimine treatment. However, there was no improvement of facial palsy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest series of M-R syndrome reported from India.