Elafin level in lichen planus.

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that affects the skin, oral mucosa and genital mucosa. Elafin is an epithelial host-defense protein that is absent in normal skin but highly expressed in inflamed skin keratinocytes. Overexpression of Elafin has been reported in various infective, inflammatory skin disorders, such as cellulitis, psoriasis, Behçet's syndrome, and graft versus host disease. The aim of this case- control study is to map the level of Elafin in LP in order to investigate its role in the pathogenesis of LP. This study included 30 LP patients and 30 healthy controls. 10 cc blood samples were withdrawn from study participants to evaluate the serum level of Elafin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Serum Elafin level was significantly higher in LP patients as compared to healthy controls; the mean values were (32.56 vs. 5.60) in LP cases and healthy controls respectively with a statistically significant p-value < 0.001. We conclude that Elafin could be part of the inflammatory autoimmune process in LP.

Hyperpigmented Macules and Patches on the Face: Exogenous Ochronosis or Lichen Planus Pigmentosus?

We present a case of a patient with a 10-year history of blue-black macules and patches on the face and an associated history of skin-lightening cream usage. The skin lightening cream contained hydroquinone, which is often associated with exogenous ochronosis (EO). Interestingly, the biopsy did not show characteristic findings of ochronosis, confusing the final diagnosis, however discontinuing the skin-lightening creams halted the progression of the patient's skin lesions supporting a diagnosis of EO. EO presents as asymptomatic hyperpigmentation after using products containing hydroquinone. This condition is most common in Black populations, likely due to the increased use of skin care products and bleaching cream containing hydroquinone in these populations. Topical hydroquinone is FDA-approved to treat melasma, chloasma, freckles, senile lentigines, and hyperpigmentation and is available by prescription only in the US and Canada. However, with the increased use of skin-lightening creams in certain populations, it is important for dermatologists to accurately recognize the clinical features of exogenous ochronosis to differentiate it from similar dermatoses. An earlier diagnosis can prevent the progression to severe presentations with papules and nodules. We summarize the clinical presentations diagnostic features, and treatment pearls, concluding with a discussion of the differential diagnoses.  J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(7):567-568.     doi:10.36849/JDD.8248.

Lichen Planus of the Lip-Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Background and Objectives: Lichen planus of the lip (LPL) is a chronic inflammatory condition that resembles actinic cheilitis, discoid lupus erythematosus, graft-versus-host disease, and lichenoid reaction to dental materials or drugs. The purpose of this study was to conduct a literature review on lichen planus lip involvement and to report a retrospective observational study that characterises and explores the clinical, histopathological, and evolution of the lesions in a group of patients with unique involvement of LPL. Materials and Methods: Clinical data of patients diagnosed with LPL was retrieved from the medical charts of the patients referred to the Oral Pathology Department of the "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy. A concurrent electronic literature research was carried out using PubMed and Web of Science from 2003 to 2023. Results: Eleven patients diagnosed with unique LPL were analysed (male/female ratio was 1.75, mean age 63.64 years ± 12.52). All patients presented lesions of the lower lip; the clinical forms were atrophic (six cases) and erosive (five cases), and the histopathological exam confirmed the diagnosis. After topical treatment with corticosteroids, most of the patients had complete remission. The literature review revealed 24 studies (sixteen case reports and eight case series) which comprised 84 patients. Isolated lip involvement was reported in 17 studies, and five articles with concomitant oral lichen planus, while two articles did not mention this criterion. Conclusions: Our study brings new data on isolated lichen planus of the lip that primarily affects the lower lip with predominance in male patients. It was reported worldwide in patients between 22 and 75 years old. Topical corticosteroids were the main treatment prescribed and they usually brought remission of the lesions. Lichen planus of the lip is a challenging diagnosis for oral health practitioner providers as well as for dermatologists.

Diagnosis and management of longitudinal erythronychia: A clinical review by an expert panel.

Longitudinal erythronychia (LE) is defined as a longitudinal red band of the nail(s) and is classified as localized (involvement of 1 nail) or polydactylous (involvement of more than 1 nail). The differential diagnosis is distinct for these classifications. The etiologies of localized longitudinal erythronychia are most frequently benign subungual neoplasms and less often malignancies. Polydactylous longitudinal erythronychia is typically secondary to regional or systemic diseases, including lichen planus and Darier disease. LE is a common but underrecognized clinical finding. Increased dermatologist awareness of the clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis for LE is necessary given the possibility for malignancy and associated systemic disease. In this clinical review, the clinical features, differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management of LE are described.

Efficient diagnosis of psoriasis and lichen planus cutaneous diseases using deep learning approach.

The tendency of skin diseases to manifest in a unique and yet similar appearance, absence of enough competent dermatologists, and urgency of diagnosis and classification on time and accurately, makes the need of machine aided diagnosis blatant. This study is conducted with the purpose of broadening the research in skin disease diagnosis with computer by traversing the capabilities of deep Learning algorithms to classify two skin diseases noticeably close in appearance, Psoriasis and Lichen Planus. The resemblance between these two skin diseases is striking, often resulting in their classification within the same category. Despite this, there is a dearth of research focusing specifically on these diseases. A customized 50 layers ResNet-50 architecture of convolutional neural network is used and the results are validated through fivefold cross-validation, threefold cross-validation, and random split. By utilizing advanced data augmentation and class balancing techniques, the diversity of the dataset has increased, and the dataset imbalance has been minimized. ResNet-50 has achieved an accuracy of 89.07%, sensitivity of 86.46%, and specificity of 86.02%. With their promising results, these algorithms make the potential of machine aided diagnosis clear. Deep Learning algorithms could provide assistance to physicians and dermatologists by classification of skin diseases, with similar appearance, in real-time.

Ocular lichen planus as a cause of recurrent restrictive strabismus.

We report the case of an 80-year-old man with restrictive strabismus in lateral gaze following multiple oculoplastic procedures for idiopathic epiphora. Despite excellent initial response to nasal conjunctival recession with lysis of adhesions and a miminal recession of the medial rectus muscle, the patient suffered recurrence of diplopia associated with limitation of abduction due to aggressive, deep, subconjunctival scarring. Given the history of oral lichen planus (LP), the patient was diagnosed with ocular involvement of LP. He underwent a second conjunctival recession, this time accompanied by an intensive LP treatment regimen. Nine months after surgery, he remained diplopia free and orthophoric in primary gaze. Surgeons treating restrictive strabismus in patients with LP should consider implementing systemic and topical immunosuppressive treatment simultaneously with surgical management.

Lichen planus pemphigoides with predominant mucous membrane involvement: a series of 12 patients and a literature review.

Background: Lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP), an association between lichen planus and bullous pemphigoid lesions, is a rare subepithelial autoimmune bullous disease. Mucous membrane involvement has been reported previously; however, it has never been specifically studied. Methods: We report on 12 cases of LPP with predominant or exclusive mucous membrane involvement. The diagnosis of LPP was based on the presence of lichenoid infiltrates in histology and immune deposits in the basement membrane zone in direct immunofluorescence and/or immunoelectron microscopy. Our systematic review of the literature, performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, highlights the clinical and immunological characteristics of LPP, with or without mucous membrane involvement. Results: Corticosteroids are the most frequently used treatment, with better outcomes in LPP with skin involvement alone than in that with mucous membrane involvement. Our results suggest that immunomodulators represent an alternative first-line treatment for patients with predominant mucous membrane involvement.

Tangled Truths: Unraveling the Link Between Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia and Allergic Contact Dermatitis.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is an increasingly common diagnosis, especially in middle-aged women, and has garnered growing attention in the scientific literature. This variant of lichen planopilaris (LPP) is recognized as a progressive scarring alopecia affecting the frontal and temporal regions of the scalp as well as the eyebrows and occasionally other sites. Although its precise etiology remains elusive, various factors such as genetics, medications, hormonal influences, and environmental exposures-including specific chemicals present in sunscreens-have been implicated in its pathogenesis but without evidence of causality. The potential relationship between contact allergy and FFA has been explored, with some suggesting an increased prevalence of contact allergy among patients diagnosed with FFA. This article aims to explore the potential association between contact allergy and FFA, focusing on the current published literature and implicated allergens.

Clinical Characterization and Treatment Response of Folliculitis Decalvans Lichen Planopilaris Phenotypic Spectrum: A Unicentre Retrospective Series of 31 Patients.

Folliculitis decalvans and lichen planopilaris phenotypic spectrum has been described as a form of cicatricial alopecia. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and trichoscopic features and therapeutic management of this condition in a series of patients. A retrospective observational unicentre study was designed including patients with folliculitis decalvans and lichen planopilaris phenotypic spectrum confirmed with biopsy. A total of 31 patients (20 females) were included. The most common presentation was an isolated plaque of alopecia (61.3%) in the vertex. Trichoscopy revealed hair tufting with perifollicular white scaling in all cases. The duration of the condition was the only factor associated with large plaques (grade III) of alopecia (p = 0.026). The mean time to transition from the classic presentation of folliculitis decalvans to folliculitis decalvans and lichen planopilaris phenotypic spectrum was 5.2 years. The most frequently used treatments were topical steroids (80.6%), intralesional steroids (64.5%) and topical antibiotics (32.3%). Nine clinical relapses were detected after a mean time of 18 months (range 12-23 months). Folliculitis decalvans and lichen planopilaris phenotypic spectrum is an infrequent, but probably underdiagnosed, cicatricial alopecia. Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs used for lichen planopilaris may be an adequate approach.

HIV: Inflammatory dermatoses.

Patients living with HIV may experience a variety of inflammatory dermatoses, ranging from exacerbations of underlying conditions to those triggered by HIV infection itself. This article presents a current literature review on the etiology, diagnosis and management of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, pityriasis rubra pilaris, lichen planus, seborrheic dermatitis, eosinophilic folliculitis, pruritic papular eruption and pruritus, in patients living with HIV.

[Genital lichen sclerosus and lichen planus]. / Genitaler Lichen sclerosus und Lichen planus.

Lichen sclerosus (LS) and lichen planus (LP) are chronic inflammatory dermatoses of unknown aetiology. They pose the most important differential diagnoses of inflammatory dermatoses in the genital area. There is often a delay in diagnosing LS and LP and subsequently treatment is initiated late in the course of the disease, which will lead to scarring and a decreased quality of life. There is an increased risk of the development of malignancies in the genital area in both diseases; however, early and continuous treatment with potent topical steroids will decrease this risk.

Liquen plano pigmentoso en la cavidad oral / Lichen planus pigmentosus in oral cavity

Introducción: El liquen plano pigmentoso es una lesión autoinmune de etiología desconocida, aunque tiene mayor incidencia en mujeres de mediana edad, a las que afecta principalmente la cara y el cuello y, en menor medida, la cavidad oral. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas e histopatológicas de un caso de liquen plano pigmentoso en la cavidad oral. Presentación del caso: Mujer de 21 años, negra, que acudió al servicio quejándose de una mancha en la cavidad oral. Las lesiones presentaban un mes de evolución, crecimiento radial y sin síntomas dolorosos. Consistían en placas ennegrecidas de contorno regular con estrías blanquecinas en su periferia, forma redondeada, bordes afilados, en mucosa yugal bilateral, que medían aproximadamente 25 mm en el derecho y 13 mm en el lado izquierdo. Después de la biopsia incisional y el análisis histopatológico, se confirmó la sospecha de liquen plano pigmentoso oral. El tratamiento propuesto para las lesiones fue conservador mediante un estricto seguimiento clínico. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico del liquen plano pigmentoso, debido a su baja ocurrencia en la cavidad oral y sus características clínicas atípicas y semejantes a otras lesiones orales, es complejo. En este contexto, se ratifica la relevancia del examen histopatológico y se destaca la necesidad de otros estudios para aclarar los factores etiológicos involucrados en esta lesión(AU)

Introduction: Pigment lichen planus is an autoimmune lesion of unknown etiology, with preference for middle-aged women, which mainly affects the face and neck, being rare in the oral cavity. Objective: To report a case of pigment lichen planus in the oral cavity, with emphasis on its clinical and histopathological characteristics. Case report: 21 years old woman, black, who came to the service complaining about a spot in the oral cavity. The lesions presented a month of evolution, radial growth and no painful symptoms. They consisted of blackened plates of regular contour with whitish stretch marks on their periphery, rounded shape, sharp edges, on bilateral jugular mucosa, which measured approximately 13 mm on the left side and 25 mm on the right. After the incisional biopsy and histopathological analysis, the suspicion of oral pigment lichen planus was confirmed. The proposed treatment for the lesions was conservative through strict clinical follow-up. Conclusion: The importance and difficulty of the diagnosis of pigment lichen planus is emphasized, especially due to its low occurrence in the oral cavity and its atypical clinical characteristics and similar to other oral lesions. In this context, the relevance of the histopathological examination is ratified and the need for further studies to clarify the etiological factors involved in this pathology is highlighted(AU)

Liquen plano, estudio retrospectivo en un hospital pediátrico / Lichen planus, retrospective study in a pediatric hospital

Introducción: El liquen plano (LP) es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica, de etiología desconocida, que puede afectar la piel, los anexos y las mucosas. Objetivo: Describir las características epidemiológicas y clínicas y el tratamiento realizado en los pacientes con diagnóstico clínico e histopatológico de LP, valorados en el Servicio de Dermatología del Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" en los últimos 33 años. Diseño:Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y transversal. Materiales y métodos: Se revisaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico histopatológico de LP atendidos en el Hospital desde agosto de 1987 hasta febrero de 2020 y se analizaron las variables epidemiológicas, clínicas y de tratamiento. Resultados: Se incluyeron datos de 26 pacientes, 18 de los cuales eran varones (69,3%). La media de edad en el momento del diagnóstico fue de 9,6 años. Presentaron la variedad de LP clásico 24 pacienes (93%). El compromiso ungueal y de la mucosa bucal se observó en 2 pacientes (7,7%). Ninguno tuvo asociación a fármacos ni a infecciones. En cuanto al tratamiento recibido, 4 pacientes (15,4%) tuvieron pérdida del seguimiento; 13 (50%) realizaron tratamiento tópico; 6 (23%), tratamiento sistémico y 3 (11,5%), tratamiento combinado. El promedio de seguimiento fue de 6 meses y se obtuvo una respuesta favorable en el 68% de los pacientes. Conclusiones: El LP es una patología de baja frecuencia en la infancia. No se encontró asociación a medicamentos ni a enfermedades infecciosas como se describe en la población adulta. Su curso es crónico y, en los pacientes que tuvieron un adecuado seguimiento, se obtuvo una buena respuesta al tratamiento indicado.

Introduction: Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, which can affect skin, adnexal tissues and mucosa. Objective: to describe the clinical, epidemiological characteristics and the treatment received by patients with clinical and histopathological diagnosis of LP, seen at the Dermatology Service of Pediatric Hospital "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" in the last 33 years. Design: Descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study. Materials y methods: We reviewed the clinical history of patients with histopathological diagnosis of LP that were treated at our hospital from August 1987 to February 2020 and analysed the epidemiological, clinical and treatment variables. Results: Data of 26 patients were included in this study 18 of which are males (69.3%). The mean age of diagnosis was 9.6 years. 24 patients (93%) presented the classical type of LP. Ungual and mucosal compromise were observed in 2 patients (7.7%) and none had associations with infections or drugs. Regarding treatment, 4 patients (15.4%) did not continue follow-ups, 13 patients (50%) had topical treatment, 6 (23%) had systemic treatment and 3 patients (11.5%) received combined treatment. The average follow-up time was 6 months and 68% of patients had favorable outcome. Conclusions: LP is an uncommon pathology in children. During this study we did not find any etiologic relations with use of drugs or infectious diseases as is described in de adult population. Its course is chronic and in the patients that had a proper follow-up a good response to the indicated treatment was obtained.

Lichen planus with multiple system involvement including the mouth, vagina, urethra, and scalp: a case report

This is a case report of lichen planus (LP) with multiple system involvement. A 35-year-old female patient was admitted in November 2014 with a 5-year history of painful/difficult sexual intercourse and loss of oral mucosa, and an 8-year history of focal hair loss. Earlier, the patient had been unable to adhere to corticosteroid therapy because of severe adverse side effects. In September 2014, labia minora mucosa defects and stricture of the urethral orifice (with dysuria), vaginal orifice, and vagina were identified. Biopsy was performed and a diagnosis of erosive LP was made. The patient was treated with an oral immunosuppressant (cyclosporine A) and urethral/vaginal dilatation. Urine flow rate and sex life were improved after 6 months and she discontinued medication. Four years later, the patient reported a good overall treatment efficacy. LP can involve multiple systems and should be considered in patients with dyspareunia. Immunosuppressive agents can achieve a satisfactory effect in patients with contraindication to corticosteroid.