Orofacial granulomatosis in children--a challenge for diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

The data on orofacial granulomatosis, OFG, in children are sparse. We describe here 8 pediatric patients presenting with OFG, 2 of these cases associating with Crohn's disease. Therapeutic agents included systemic immunosuppressants such as glucocorticoids, methotrexate, anti-TNF-alpha agent, dapsone, antibiotics (metronidazole), and local treatment with topical tacrolimus or intralesional injections of triamcinolone hexacetonide. The treatment response ranged from good to poor results. The number of young patients suffering from OFG is not currently known and there are no gold standards for treatment. Thus, prospective follow-up studies on these patients are needed to gain more experience of the therapeutic responses.