Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome

Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome (MRS) is a rare neurological disorder. It is characterized by:

• Swelling of face and lips
• Recurring paralysis of face
• Furrowed dorsum of the tongue, i.e, tongue with numerous furrows or grooves on the dorsal surface

The onset of this syndrome is in childhood or early adolescence. It may recur intermittently, after the recurrent attacks the swelling may increase. This swelling can also become permanent. The person having recurring attack of MRS may have hard, cracked and fissured lip with a reddish-brown discoloration.

The cause of MRS is yet not known. It is seen 3 times more in females than in males. Prevalence of this syndrome is approximately 0.08%.

Treatment of MRS: Symptomatic treatment of MRS is done with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Corticosteroids, antibiotics and immunosuppressants are used to reduce swelling. Surgery is opted only to relieve pressure on the facial nerves. Massage and electrical stimulation are the others procedures employed in the treatment of MRS.

Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome and Research:

Much research is done aiming at getting more information of this disorder. Some are to find the ways to treat and some are to prevent. Studies are also done on how to deal with patients suffering the syndrome. One of the study done by the Department of Anesthesiology, Kocaeli University, Turkey connects allergy to the disease.

According to the study the patients with MRS need special management of anesthesia. It is found that this syndrome may cause drug allergy and angioedema. In anesthetic management skin tests and immunological blood tests are done to know the administration of anesthesia, in order to avoid hypersensitivity to anesthetic drugs. Patients with Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome need extra care to avoid allergic reactions caused by drugs and other factors such as body temperature and room temperature.