OM - Lichen Planus Flashcards
Whos at risk of lichen planus?
30-50 year olds
What causes lichen planus? (8)
- Idiopathic cause
- Genetic predisposition – Not specifically HLA linked
- Physical and emotional stress
- Injury to the skin; lichen planus often appears where the skin has been scratched or after surgery (in susceptible patients)
- Localized skin disease such as herpes zoster
- Systemic viral infection, such as hepatitis C
- Contact allergy – to metal fillings (amalgam)
- Drugs – esp antihypertensives and Gold, Quinine
what is an isomorphic response (koebnerisation) in relation to LP?
where injury to the skin can cause lichen planus to appears (where the skin has been scratched or after surgery) in susceptible patients
Describe the histological appearance/characteristics of lichen planus. (5)
T cell infiltrate into the basement membrane area of CT = Lymphocytic band hugging the membrane (key diagnostic feature_
- Chronic Inflammatory cell infiltrate
- Saw tooth rete ridges
- Basal cell damage
- Patchy acanthosis
- Parakeratosis
What does the histological appearance tell us about what occurs in lichen planus?
Lymphocytes are attracted to the area specifically to deal with a perceived threat – Langerhans cells in the epithelium present an antigen which activates an immune response.
The immune response attempts to remove the chronic irritation which causes the changes in the epithelium and the clinical appearance.
What are some of the types of LP? Describe (3)
- Reticular – lacey pattern on;
Normal mucosa Or Erythematous mucosa - Atrophic – where erythema (=atrophy) is the predominant feature
Erosive = where atrophy results in no epithelial cover - Ulcerative = where atrophy results in no epithelial cover
What are the symptoms of oral LP? (3)
- Often none
- Sensitive to hot/spicy food & Burning sensation in the mucosa
- from thinning of the epithelium
- Up to 50% patients have other areas of the body involved
- Skin
- Scalp
- Genitals
- hair
- nails
Where else can LP present? (4)
Cutaneous - skin
Wrists:
- raised purple lesions with white striae (Wickems striae)
Scalp – area of hair loss were lesions present
Nails – characteristic ridging
Describe the sites where oral LP is commonly found. (5)
- Buccal mucosa – most common site
- Gingivae (Desquamative Gingivitis – when in isolation)
- Tongue – lateral aspect, dorsum
- Lips
- Palate
Where is the most common site for oral LP?
Buccal mucosa
Where on the buccal mucosa can LP present? (3)
- Anterior at commissure
- Mid
- Posterior around 3rd molar tooth
where is the most common site for incidental/asymptomatic finding of LP?
Buccal mucosa
How do we differentiate between desquamative gingivitis and pemphigoid and plasma cell gingivitis?
Biopsy - histological examination
What are the characteristics of gingival LP/desqamative gingivitis? (3)
- patchy appearance
- mostly erythematous however Some forms give a more ‘typical’ reticular lichenoid pattern
- lesions can be found in isolation
What can gingival LP also be known as when the lesions only affect the gingival tissues?
Desquamative gingivitis
How do we manage gingival LP? (1)
Ensure there is plaque control as these lesions seem to be plaque driven (esp interdental plaque)
What are the risks of gingival biopsy (1) and what techniques help us to reduce these? (2)
– Risk of damaging the attachment/junctional area of the gingiva/tooth
– Must have a good clear margin between tooth and the lesion
– Ideally sample from high in the sulcus
What are the characteristics of LP on the dorsum of the tongue? (1)
Lesions on the dorsum = loss of papillae and smooth tongue surface
What commonly causes lichen planus on the dorsum of the tongue?
idiopathic