Lichen Planus Flashcards
What is oral lichen planus (OLP)?
A common mucocutaneous disease affecting skin or mucosa, causing bilateral white striations, papules, or plaques.
What are the common sites affected by oral lichen planus?
Buccal mucosa, tongue, gingivae, lips, floor of mouth, and palate.
What is the prevalence of oral lichen planus among Indians?
1.5%; highest at 3.7% in those with mixed oral habits, lowest at 0.3% in non-tobacco users.
What is the annual age-adjusted incidence rate of oral lichen planus?
2.1 per 1,000 among men and 2.5 per 1,000 among women.
What triggers the apoptosis of oral epithelial cells in oral lichen planus?
Cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells.
What factors may induce the expression of lichen planus antigen?
- Drugs (lichenoid drug reaction)
- Contact allergens
- Mechanical trauma (Koebner phenomenon)
- Viral infection
- Unidentified agents.
What is Grinspan’s syndrome?
An association of lichen planus with diabetes mellitus and vascular hypertension.
What is the gender predominance in oral lichen planus cases?
Women predominate by a 3:2 ratio over men.
Describe the clinical features of skin lesions in lichen planus.
Purple, pruritic, polygonal papules with Wickham striae, often on flexor surfaces.
What are the types of oral lichen planus lesions?
- Reticular form
- Erosive form
- Atrophic form
- Hypertrophic form
- Vesicular or bullous form.
What are the characteristics of reticular oral lichen planus?
Radiating white or gray, velvety, thread-like papules forming lacy patches.
What is the most common site for oral lichen planus lesions?
Buccal mucosa (80%).
True or False: Oral lichen planus lesions are usually symptomatic.
False.
What is the primary treatment for erosive lichen planus?
Topical corticosteroids (e.g., fluocinonide, betamethasone, clobetasol).
What is the prognosis regarding malignant transformation in oral lichen planus?
Slightly higher incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma; frequency of malignant transformation is low (0.3 to 3%).
What histopathologic feature is characteristic of lichen planus?
Hydropic degeneration of the basal cell layer and a bandlike infiltrate of T lymphocytes.
What are the differential diagnoses for oral lichen planus?
- Lichenoid reactions
- Leukoplakia
- Candidiasis
- Pemphigus
- Cicatricial pemphigoid
- Erythema multiforme
- Syphilis
- Recurrent aphthae
- Lupus erythematosus.
Fill in the blank: The lesions of reticular lichen planus are typically not ______.
static.
What is the recommended follow-up for patients with oral erosive lichen planus?
Every 3 to 6 months, especially if lesions are atypical.
