Esophageal lichen planus: a forgotten diagnosis

Abstract

Esophageal lichen planus (ELP), an infrequent cause of dysphagia, is associated with various mucosal lesions of the proximal esophagus. In a patient with oral lichen planus, with dysphagia and proximal esophageal lesions, the correct diagnosis of ELP was delayed for 10 years after dysphagia first occurred. This case report illustrates how the diagnosis of ELP in a symptomatic patient eluded experienced clinicians, even in the presence of oral lichen planus.