Effectiveness of small-volume, intralesional, delayed-release triamcinolone injections in orofacial granulomatosis: a pilot study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is an idiopathic disorder characterized by chronic orofacial swellings causing significant cosmetic and functional problems. Treatment with high-volume triamcinolone injections has been shown to be effective but requires nerve block anesthesia and causes a dramatic temporary increase of lip swelling.

OBJECTIVE:

We have performed a noncomparative open-label pilot study in 7 patients with OFG in order to evaluate the effectiveness of small volumes of extended-release high-concentrate triamcinolone injections in reducing lip swelling and preventing recurrences.

METHODS:

Seven patients with OFG were studied. Small-volume, intralesional, high-concentrate, extended-release triamcinolone was injected on the basis of a weekly schedule. A standard cycle consisted of 2 or 3 injection sessions over 14 or 21 days, depending on the clinical response.

RESULTS:

After cycle completion, all patients remained without recurrences or with cosmetically acceptable slight lip enlargement for a mean time of 19 months (range, 8-30 months). No side effects were observed, except in one patient with hypopigmentation of the skin of the upper lip.

CONCLUSIONS:

Slow-volume, intralesional, high-concentrate, extended-release triamcinolone injections appear to be effective in reducing lip enlargement in patients with OFG and do not require nerve block anesthesia or cause a temporary troublesome increase of swelling. A long disease-free period is generally obtained.

• Authors: M D Mignogna, S Fedele, L Lo Russo, D Adamo, R A Satriano
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 51 Issue 2 Pg. 265-8 (Aug 2004) ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 15280846 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Triamcinolone

Topics

• Adult
• Cheilitis (etiology, prevention & control)
• Chronic Disease
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Edema (etiology, prevention & control)
• Facial Dermatoses (etiology, prevention & control)
• Female
• Granuloma (complications, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Lip Diseases (etiology, prevention & control)
• Pilot Projects
• Recurrence
• Treatment Outcome
• Triamcinolone (administration & dosage)