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Glandular cheilitis
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Glandular cheilitis is more common in men, mainly 50-60 years old.
ICD-10 code
K13.01 Glandular cheilitis apostematous.
Reasons
Glandular cheilitis develops as a result of hyperfunction and hyperplasia of the minor salivary glands on the border strip between the mucous membrane and the red border of the lips (Klein's zone). The lower lip is most often affected. Primary and secondary glandular cheilitis are distinguished.
[ How does glandular cheilitis manifest itself?
Primary simple glandular cheilitis
An independent disease, which many researchers consider to be heterogony, i.e. congenital hypertrophy of the small salivary glands located in the mucous membrane and transitional zone of the lips.
On the surface of the lips, the enlarged openings of the minor salivary glands gape in the form of reddish dots, above which an accumulation of saliva in the form of drops is determined ("dew symptom"). Hypertrophied minor salivary glands are palpable in the thickness of the oral mucosa as dense rounded formations the size of a pinhead or slightly larger (normally, these small glands are barely noticeable and their mucous-serous secretion is released in scanty quantities).
When the lips are irritated by microbial plaque, abundant hard dental deposits, sharp edges of teeth, dentures or when in contact with purulent periodontal pockets, inflammatory processes develop in the excretory openings of the glands. Inflammation can be maintained by constant secretion of saliva, which leads to maceration of the lips. When dry, the lip becomes scaly, cracked and keratinized. On the mucous membrane, this first appears as a white rim around the gaping openings, and then, merging, a continuous focus of hyperkeratoea is formed. Sometimes a complication develops in the form of an eczematous reaction of the red border and skin of the perioral region, a chronic crack of the lip.
Simple granular cheilitis is considered an underlying disease that contributes to the development of precancerous changes on the red border of the lips.
Secondary simple glandular cheilitis
It may occur as a result of chronic inflammatory processes on the red border of the lips. Hyperplasia of the salivary glands is not associated with congenital pathology, but is secondary in nature.
Enlarged gaping openings of the salivary gland ducts are determined against the background of a primary disease of the lips (for example, lip erythematosus, lupus erythematosus),
As a result of the addition of a pyogenic infection, suppuration is possible, which is manifested by a sharp swelling, soreness of the lips. The mucous membrane is tense, hyperemic, on its surface, droplets of pus are found from the gaping excretory ducts. In the thickness of the lips, dense, inflammatory infiltrates are palpated. The lip is covered with purulent crusts, the mouth does not close. Regional lymph nodes are enlarged, painful.
How to recognize glandular cheilitis?
Diagnosis is based on the clinical picture and pathomorphological examination data.
Histological examination reveals hypertrophied salivary glands with slight inflammatory infiltration around the excretory ducts.
How is glandular cheilitis treated?
Treatment of simple glandular cheilitis is necessary in cases of complaints of continuous salivation, as well as inflammatory phenomena of the mucous membrane and red border of the lips.
The most reliable method of treatment is electrocoagulation of the salivary glands through a hair electrode in the gland duct. This method of treatment is possible with a small number of hypertrophied glands. In the case of multiple lesions, cryodestruction or surgical excision of almost the entire Klein zone is possible.
In case of secondary glandular cheilitis, the underlying disease is treated.