A Case Report on Oral Lichen Planus

Abstract

Lichen planus is a chronic mucocutaneous disease that is caused by the immune system and affects about 1.5–2% of the world's population. It primarily impacts women, particularly those over 50 years old. Lichen planus is thought to be an immune-mediated disease, even though the exact cause is still unknown. There are two types of lesions that can happen with lichen planus: mucosal and cutaneous. The skin lesions of lichen planus are described by the “6 Ps” (purple, polygonal, planar, pruritic papules, and plaques) and are often accompanied by lacy white Wickham striae. The lesions primarily affect the inner wrists, forearms, ankles, and lower back, but can also occur as thickened patches on the shin or annular lesions on the genitalia. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a bilateral lesion, and the buccal mucosa is involved in about 90% of the cases. Other sites involved, in order of frequency, include the tongue, gingiva, alveolar ridge, lips, and rarely, the palate. This article describes a case of oral lichen planus in a 32-year-old female patient who reported to the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology.