Actinic granuloma affecting the upper lip: a rare and challenging clinical entity.

Actinic granuloma is a rare dermatological condition that can be difficult to diagnose, and the opinion of specialist dermatologists and histopathologists might be needed to confirm diagnosis. Our patient's lesion was not diagnosed until 3 years after initial presentation. We are aware of only 18 reported cases since 1982, and to our knowledge this is the first reported to affect the upper lip. The condition is slow to improve, and the most effective treatment remains unclear. We used intralesional steroid injections, but a small area has yet to resolve 9 years after presentation. 2009 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.