Lichen planus

Abstract

Lichen planus, a papulosquamous disease, in its classical presentation is characterized by pruritic violaceous papules most commonly on the extremities of middle-aged adults. It may or may not be accompanied by oral and genital mucous membrane involvement. Its course is generally self-limited for a period of several months to years, but it may last indefinitely. There are many clinical variants described, ranging from lichenoid drug eruptions to association with other diseases such as diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disease, and the graft-versus-host reaction. The relationship of these, if any, to classical lichen planus is questionable. Multiple therapeutic options exist including corticosteroids, retinoids, griseofulvin, PUVA, and cyclosporine.

Clinical variants of lichen planus

“…LP is considered a self-limited dermatosis; the mean duration is reported to be 1-2 years [2]. Nevertheless, longer and chronically recurrent courses are possible, so that the prognosis in the individual case cannot be predicted [16,22]. After the remission of the papules and plaques of LP, postinfl ammatory hyperpigmentation, leuko-or pseudoleukoderma as well as atrophy may remain.…”

“…LP can occur in its diverse cutaneous manifestations alone or in combination with mucosal lichen planus or in the event of subungual location with lichen planus of the nails. The frequency of mucosal involvement in LP patients is 30-70 % [1,15,16]. The subungual manifestations of LP take a special position.…”

“…In analogy to psoriasis, the intertriginous presentation of LP is termed inverse lichen planus [1,16,21]. Subjectively, LP is characterized by a frequently agonizing pruritus that can affect up to 80 % of patients [9,16]. LP is considered a self-limited dermatosis; the mean duration is reported to be 1-2 years [2].…”

“…As a rarity LP can develop at intertriginous sites, where it can completely lose its classical morphology (Figure 2). In analogy to psoriasis, the intertriginous presentation of LP is termed inverse lichen planus [1,16,21]. Subjectively, LP is characterized by a frequently agonizing pruritus that can affect up to 80 % of patients [9,16].…”

Zosteriform Lichen Planus: case report of a rare variant of Lichen Planus

“…It is characterized by pruritic violaceous papules that favor the extremities. In addition to the classical appearance, about 20 different variants are described [4]. Linear LP refers to lichen planus with a unilateral linear distribution and may occur at the site of healed zoster [5].…”