A clinical evaluation of efficacy of photodynamic therapy in treatment of reticular oral lichen planus: A case series.

Abstract

Background The aim of the study was to clinically evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in treatment of reticular oral lichen planus (OLP). Methods Fifty patients aged 26-84, with 124 OLP lesions in total, underwent photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated with topically applied 5% 5-aminolevulinic acid. ALA was activated by a custom-made diode lamp with a high-power LED emitting light at 630 nm and 300 mW delivered through an optical fiber probe. A light exposure dose was 150 J/cm2. The therapy comprised of 10 weekly illumination sessions. The lesions' response was macroscopically measured in millimeters with a periodontal probe and clinically evaluated at each session, then on completion of the series and throughout the 12-month follow-up. Results The baseline mean size of lesions was 3.99 cm2±3.73. The lesions on the buccal mucosa and lips (lining mucosa) were larger than those on the gingiva and tongue (masticatory mucosa) - 4.58 cm2±4.01 and 2.93 cm2±2.91 respectively. On completion of the therapy 109 sites improved, including 46 in complete remission. The mean reduction in size was 62.91% (p = 0.000000). 12-month after therapy mean reduction of the lesions was 78.7% (p = 0.000000), specifically 79.48% (p = 0.000000) within the lining mucosa and 76.11% on the masticatory mucosa. Conclusions The results proved that ALA-mediated photodynamic therapy with a 630 nm light was effective and as such it can be used as an optional treatment for symptomatic OLP.