Ulcerative Lichen Planus in Childhood

Chiyadu Padmini,M Shilpa Reddy,Vinil Chaitanya,K Yellamma Bai

doi:10.1155/2013/874895

Abstract

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous condition which is relatively common in adults but rarely affects children. The present study is a report on an unusual case of ulcerative oral LP involving the dorsum of tongue in a 12-year-old boy. Patient complained of painful oral lesion on the tongue which was burning in nature and obstructing talking and eating spicy foods. On intraoral examination, a white ulcerative lesion on the dorsum of tongue was observed. Diagnosis was made based on clinical examination and histopathological features. We instituted local treatment and patient responded well to the treatment. Although rarely reported in childhood, lichen planus should be considered in a differential diagnosis of hyperkeratotic, reticular, and ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa in children.

Highlights

Lichen planus (LP) is an autoimmune, chronic, inflammatory disease that affects mucosal and cutaneous tissues
Histopathological examination showed hyperparakeratosis of stratified squamous epithelium and basal cell degeneration with dense band-linked lymphocytic infiltration at the epithelial-connective tissue interface (Figure 2). Both clinical and histopathological features were consistent with ulcerative oral lichen planus
Oral lichen planus in childhood (OLPc) is rare and only a few reports are available in the literature [4]

Summary

Introduction

Lichen planus (LP) is an autoimmune, chronic, inflammatory disease that affects mucosal and cutaneous tissues. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common disease in the middle aged and elderly population and has a prevalence of about 0.5% to 2%. Oral lichen planus in childhood (OLP) is rare and it was first reported in the 1920s. The oral lesions are more pleomorphic than those of their cutaneous forms and subtypes are categorized as reticular, papular, plaque-like, atrophic, erosive, and bullous [3]. The erosive form is extremely rare in children and few reports on this subject have been published in the literature. We are presenting a case of a 12-year-old boy having erosive lichen planus without cutaneous involvement, who responded very well to the treatment. This paper reviews ulcerative oral lichen planus in children and emphasizes its diagnosis from other oral white and red lesions in children

Case Report

Discussion

Findings

Conclusion