Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome and Crohn's disease: one disease or two? Report of a case and discussion of the literature.

In 1985, a 19-year-old woman had clinical features suggesting anorectal Crohn's disease. Two years later, swelling of the vulva associated with perianal swelling developed. The clinical manifestations responded to oral prednisone until 1989, when she returned with a swelling of the upper lip, a polypoid lesion of the oral buccal mucosa, and swelling of the anus and vulva. The lip biopsy demonstrated granulomas. The illness failed to respond to systemic immunosuppressive therapy, wider consultation was made, and the diagnosis of the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome was made. Such an appearance of this rare condition is unusual. We describe her case and discuss the literature, raising the possibility that the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome and Crohn's disease are the same condition with different initial clinical appearances.