doctor stuff Flashcards
What is lichen planus?
Chronic inflammatory condition affecting skin and mucous membranes - wrists, ankles, genitals mouth
Often see white lines called Wickham’s striae
What is the prevalence of lichen planus?
1% of population
Mainly age 30-50
If skin cases found, 50% chance for oral lesions
What are the causes of lichen planus?
Autoimmune reaction
Viral - Hep C, HSV
Medications - ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, diuretics, NSAIDs, DMARDs
Amalgam restorations
What are the signs and symptoms of oral lichen planus?
Reticular white pattern on buccal mucosa, gingivae, tongue palate
Ulceration
Erythema
Often no symptoms
Sensitivity to hot and spicy foods
Burning sensation in the mucosa - thinning of epithelium caused by atrophy changes from LP
What special investigations are carried out for lichen planus?
Biopsy for histopathological analysis
Patch testing for allergens or irritants
Blood test - haematinics and FBC for underlying conditions such as Hep C, LSE - (Anti La, Anti Ro)
What is the malignant potential of lichen planus?
1% over 10 years
How is mild, intermittent lichen planus treated?
Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Benzydamine mouthwash
Avoid SLS containing toothpaste
How is persisting symptomatic lichen planus managed in a primary care setting?
Topical steroids for ulcers:
- beclometasone MDI inhaler
- betamethasone rinse
How is persisting symptomatic lichen planus treated in a hospital setting?
Oral prednisolone
Topical tacrolimus - ointment or mouthwash
Hydroxychloroquine
Systemic immunomodulators - azathioprine and mycophenolate
What is seen histologically in lichen planus
Saw tooth rete-ridges
Acanthosis of epithelial layer
Parakeratosis of superficial epithelium
Band like infiltration of T lymphocytes
What are the different clinical presentations of lichen planus?
Reticular
Ulcerative
Papular
Bullous
Atrophic
Plaque like
Name 2 lichen like lesions
GVHD
Lupus erythematosus
What is erythema multiforme?
Immunologically generated skin and mucosal ulceration
Target like patches with red centre surrounded by pale ring, which is surrounded by a red ring
Heals within 2 weeks
Affects anterior mouth and lips
How is erythema multiforme treated?
Systemic steroids
Systemic aciclovir if secondary care
Fluid intake
Analgesia
What causes erythema multiforme?
Viral - HSV
Medications - antibiotics or anticonvulsants
What may erythema multiforme progress to?
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
What is angina bullosa haemorhagica?
Blood filled blisters in the oral cavity
Rapid onset then burst within hours
Heals with no scarring within days
How is angina bullosa haemorrhagica treated?
No tx
Chlorhexidine mouthwash and benzydamine spray
Reassure pt its benign
What causes angina bullosa haemorrhagica?
Eating - thermal trauma
Steroids inhalers
What is pemphigoid?
Autoimmune blistering disease
Clear or blood filled, thick walled blisters
Exposed connective tissue when blisters burst
What are the different types of pemphigoid?
Bullous pemphigoid - affects skin
Mucous membrane pemphigoid - all mucous membranes - eye, genital, oral
Cicatritial pemphigoid - mucosal with scarring
What is seen histologically in pemphigoid?
Sub epithelial split
Antibodies attack the hemidesmosomes at the basement membrane that attach the epithelium to the connective tissue
What special investigations are carried out for pemphigoid and pemphigus?
Direct immunofluorescence
Biopsy for histopathological analysis
Blood test for antibodies C3, IgG and IgA
What is seen in DIF in pemphigoid?
Linear staining seen along the basement membrane
C3 and IgG antibodies detected in this area
IgA occasionally found
How does DIF work?
Tissue sample is taken and are incubated with fluorescently labelled antibodies that specifically bind to immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA) and complement proteins (C3)
Slides are examined under a fluorescent microscope to visualise the distribution of autoantibodies and complement proteins
How is pemphigoid and pemphigus treated?
Benzydamine spray
Beclometasone MDI inhaler
Betamethasone rinse
Oral prednisolone
Immunomodulators - azothioprine, mycophenolate
What is pemphigus?
Autoimmune blistering disease
Causes intraepithelial bullae found in skin and mucosa
What is the most common type of pemphigus?
Pemphigus vulgaris
What is seen histologically in pemphigus?
Antibodies attack the desmosomes joining epithelial cells
Loss of epithelium
Basal cells attached to the basement membrane
Tzank cells seen
What is seen in DIF in pemphigus?
Antibodies binding all around cells as desmosomes role is to attach epithelial cells to each other
Basket-weave pattern
C3 and IgG antibodies
What is the main clinical difference between pemphigoid and pemphigus?
In pemphigus you rarely see intact bullae, you see erosions instead
What are the causes of nutritional/metabolic ulcers?
Children/teenagers associated with growth
Adults with GI pathology
Anaemia
Malnourishment
What conditions cause immunological ulcers?
Behçet’s disease
Vesiculobullous disease
Lichen planus
CT diseases eg - SLE
What infections can cause ulcers?
HSV
VZV
Coxsackie virus
EBV
HIV
Describe a high risk ulcer
Exophytic
Rolled borders
Raised
Hard to touch - indurated
What are the different causes of ulcers?
Trauma
Immunological
Carcinoma
Infection
Medical conditions
What are recurrent herpetic lesions and where are they most found?
Ulceration limited to one nerve group/branch
Lesions recur in the same place
Prodromal period
Often occurs on hard palate
What is recurrent aphthous stomatitis?
Immunologically generated recurring ulcers that follow a set pattern depending on type
Describe minor aphthous ulcers
Less than 10mm diameter
Last up to 2 weeks
Only affects non-keratinised mucosa
Heals without scarring
Responds well to topical steroids
Commonest type of recurrent oral ulceration
Describe major aphthous ulcers
Can last for months
Can affect any part of the oral mucosa
May scar when healing
Responds poorly to topical steroids - intralesional steroids more helpful
Usually larger than 10mm - diagnose from worst ulcer
Describe herpetiform apthae
Rarest form of aphthous ulcers
Multiple small ulcers on non-keratinised mucosa
Heal within 2 weeks
Similarly to primary herpetic gingivostomatitis in site and number but without systemic effects
Can coalesce into larger areas of ulceration
Not to do with HSV as keratinised epithelium is involved
How is oral and genital ulceration diagnosed?
3 episodes of mouth ulcers in a year
At least two of the folllowing:
- genital sores
- eye inflammation
- skin ulcers
- pathergy
What are the signs of Behçet’s disease?
Primarily vasculitis
Oral and genital ulceration
Eye disease
Bowel ulceration
May involve heart, lungs, brain and joints
How is Behçet’s disease managed?
Treat RAS
Systemic immunomodulation where multiple systems involved
What are the predisposing factors for RAS?
Genetic predisposition
Systemic disease
Stress
Mechanical injuries
Hormone level fluctuations
Micro element deficiencies
Viral and bacterial infection
What special investigations are used for RAS?
Blood tests:
- haematinic deficiencies - iron, B12 and folic acid
- coeliac disease (TTG)
Allergy tests
How is RAS treated?
Correct haematinic deficiency
Refer if coeliac positive
Avoid dietary triggers identified from testing
Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Benzydamine spray
Beclometasone MDI inhaler
Betamethasone rinse
Oral prednisolone
Immunomodulators
What are the causes of dry mouth?
Salivary gland disease
Drugs - reduce stimulation of glands to produce saliva
Medical conditions
Anxiety and somatisation disorders
What drugs cause dry mouth?
Antimuscarinic cholinergic drugs:
- tricyclic antidepressants
- antihistamines
- antipsychotics
- diuretics