Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is a type of rare neurological disorder which causes recurring facial paralysis, swelling of the face and lips and the development of folds and furrows in the tongue.
The swelling with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome most often occurs in the upper lip.
Onset of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is in childhood and early adolescence.
There is no cure for Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome although the symptoms of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome may resolve without treatment but come back in future flare ups.
The presence of persistent or recurrent facial swelling and either facial palsy or tongue findings may be sufficient for a clinical diagnosis of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome.
A biopsy of the lips may also be necessary to confirm the diagnosis of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome and rule out possible infectious causes, recurrent angioedema, Crohn's disease, sarcoidosis or cancers.
Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome can be symptomatic of Crohn's disease or sarcoidosis.
Approximately 400 cases of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome have been reported worldwide.
Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.
Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome may recur intermittently after its first appearance, and it can become a chronic (long-lasting) disorder.
The cause of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is unknown, but there may be a genetic predisposition.
It can be symptomatic of Crohn's disease or sarcoidosis.
Isolated idiopathic peripheral facial palsy (Bell's palsy) is considered to be a disease of the peripheral nervous system, while MS is defined as a disease of the central nervous system.
Common MS symptoms consist in visual disturbances, paresthesia, impaired coordination and paresis.