Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2019 Mar;8(3):1269-1275.
doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_24_19.

Lichen planus of lip - Report of a rare case with review of literature

Affiliations
Case Reports

Lichen planus of lip - Report of a rare case with review of literature

Shamimul Hasan. J Family Med Prim Care. 2019 Mar.

Abstract

Lichen planus (LP) is a potentially malignant disorder with an immune-mediated etiopathogenesis. The condition frequently affects the skin, oral mucosa, skin appendages, and other mucous membranes. Oral lesions usually precede the onset of skin lesions and in majority of cases may only be presenting symptom. Isolated LP of the lip is rarely encountered in the clinical practice and is usually seen along with skin/other mucous membrane involvement. The clinical appearance poses diagnostic dilemmas and is often misinterpreted. This case report aims to highlight an interesting case of LP of the lower lip in a 50-year-old male patient. The patient presented with a diffuse erosive lesion on the lower lip bordered by white radiating striae on its inner aspect. Histopathological and immunofluorescent studies confirmed LP of the lip. Topical corticosteroids and Vaseline lip therapy were prescribed to the patient. There was considerable healing in the lip lesion during the follow-up period. However, recurrence was noted in the left buccal mucosa.

Keywords: Diagnosis; lichen planus; lichen planus lip; malignant lesion.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a and b) Diffuse erosive lesion on lower lip covered by hemorrhagic crusts. Erosive lesion bordered by radiating white striae on the inner aspect
Figure 2
Figure 2
Histopathologic features of degeneration of epithelial basal layers and lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrates
Figure 3
Figure 3
Immunofluorescence showing shaggy band of fibrinogen at the basement membrane
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a and b) Considerable resolution of the lesion after 1 month. Almost completely healed lesion after 2 months
Figure 5
Figure 5
Recurrence of the lesion in the left buccal mucosa

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Nuzzolo P, Celentano A, Bucci P, Adamo D, Ruoppo E, Leuci S, et al. Lichen planus of the lips: An intermediate disease between the skin and mucosa? Retrospective clinical study and review of the literature. Int J Dermatol. 2016;55:473–81. - PubMed
    1. Moger G, Thippanna CK, Kenchappa M, Puttalingaiah VD. Erosive oral lichen planus with cutaneous involvement in a 7-year-old girl: A rare case report. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2013;31:197–200. - PubMed
    1. Nogueira PA, Carneiro S, Ramos-e-Silva M. Oral lichen planus: An update on its pathogenesis. Int J Dermatol. 2015;54:1005–10. - PubMed
    1. Carbone M, Arduino PG, Carrozzo M, Gandolfo S, Argiolas MR, Bertolusso G, et al. Course of oral lichen planus: A retrospective study of 808 northern Italian patients. Oral Dis. 2009;15:235–43. - PubMed
    1. Canto AM, Müller H, Freitas RR, Santos PS. Oral lichen planus (OLP): Clinical and complementary diagnosis. An Bras Dermatol. 2010;85:669–75. - PubMed

Publication types