A young woman presents with her third episode of unilateral lower motor neuron facial palsy. Examination shows non-tender swelling of the lips and cheeks and a deeply fissured tongue. Which diagnosis best explains all three findings?

• A Mobius syndrome
• B Heerfordt syndrome
• C Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome ✓
• D Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Explanation

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is the classic triad of recurrent orofacial oedema (granulomatous cheilitis), lingua plicata (fissured or scrotal tongue), and recurrent lower motor neuron facial palsy, which may become permanent after repeated attacks. Heerfordt syndrome features parotid swelling, uveitis, fever and facial palsy in sarcoidosis but not a fissured tongue. Mobius syndrome is congenital bilateral facial and abducens palsy, and Ramsay Hunt syndrome is associated with vesicles rather than chronic lip swelling.

Reference: Dhingra's Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.