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. 2019 Dec;98(51):e18321.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000018321.

Histopathological features of oral lichen planus and its response to corticosteroid therapy: A retrospective study

Eduardo Anitua  1   2 , Laura Piñas  1 , Mohammad H Alkhraisat  1   2
Affiliations

Histopathological features of oral lichen planus and its response to corticosteroid therapy: A retrospective study

Eduardo Anitua et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Oral lichen planus (OLP) exhibits variations in severity and response to corticosteroid therapy. This study aims to assess the histopathological features of OLP at the time of diagnosis and their relationship in response to corticosteroid therapy.In this retrospective study, OLP patients were selected if a histopathological report was available. Data were collected regarding patients' demographics and medical history. Clinical and histological data were also obtained. The outcomes were histopathological findings, clinical form of OLP, number of exacerbations per year, and the response to corticosteroid therapy.In this study, 100 OLP patients were enrolled. Basal layer hydropic degeneration and band-like subepithelial lymphocytes infiltrate were observed in all patients. Plasma cells, identified in 62% of OLP patients, were significantly associated with fewer disease exacerbations and better response to corticosteroid treatment.Identifying histopathological features that may affect the clinical course would be clinically helpful in tailoring patient management.

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Conflict of interest statement

EA declares that he has no conflict of interest related to this work. Outside this work, EA is the Scientific Director of BTI Biotechnology Institute (Vitoria, Spain). He is the head of Eduardo Anitua Foundation, Vitoria, Spain. LP declares that she has no conflict of interest. MHA declares that he has no conflict of interest related to this work. Outside this work, he is a researcher at BTI Biotechnology Institute (Vitoria, Spain). No financial support was received to conduct or publish this study.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Location and clinical form of oral lichen planus.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Histological image showing the presence of plasma cells in the band-like inflammatory infiltrate (hematoxilin-eosin; 40×). Black arrows labeled plasma cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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