Esophageal lichen planus

Abstract

Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the skin, mucous membranes, nails and scalp. Esophageal lichen planus is a rarely reported manifestation of lichen planus, presenting itself commonly in middle-aged women, with symptoms such as dysphagia. We report a case of esophageal lichen planus in a 54-year-old woman associated with oral, cutaneous and ungual lichen planus. Although lichen planus is a disorder well known by dermatologists, reports of esophageal lichen planus are rare in dermatologic literature. The esophageal lichen planus is little known and underdiagnosed, with a significant delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis.

FIGURE 1

Thin white streaks of reticulate aspect on the dorsum of tongue

FIGURE 2

Bilateral white streaks of arboriform aspect in jugal mucosa

FIGURE 3

Dorsal pterygium, melanonychia, onychorexis, onychodystrophy on fingernails, hyperchromic, bright and polygonal papules on wrists

FIGURE 4

Papules and hypertrophic plaques with keratotic surface on left leg

FIGURE 5

Upper digestive endoscopy: white streaks of reticulate aspect in upper third of esophagus

FIGURE 6

Chorion with confluent inflammatory infiltrate in the present connective stroma and among basal keratinocytes of squamous epithelium