Oral lichen planus. Case report and literature review

Abstract

Background: Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of autoimmune nature, with infiltration of T lymphocytes that destroy the basal stratum, which causes white striae, erosions, ulcers and breaks in epithelial continuity. Case report: 54-year-old woman with multiple reticular and erosive lesions in the region of the buccal mucosa and lateral borders of the tongue, as well as desquamative gingivitis. Treatment with mometasone was started thrice daily for 20 days and intermittently with miconazole gel to prevent iatrogenic mycosis by the corticosteroid. The patient was examined at 20 days, after which 80 % improvement of the lesions that had central ulcerations was observed, which allowed the ingestion of food and fluids without pain and improved the quality of life. Conclusions: In autoimmune diseases, clinical-histopathological correlation is important for a definitive diagnosis to be established. Clinical follow-up of these patients should be carried out in the long term, in order to achieve remission of the lesions, control of the disease and avoid future complications.