Ocular involvement and complications of lichen planus, lichen planus pigmentosus, and lichen planopilaris: A comprehensive review.

Ocular involvement of lichenoid dermatoses, such as lichen planus (LP), lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP), and lichen planopilaris (LPL), although uncommon, is associated with skin manifestations. Isolated ocular involvement is very rare. When lesions are confined to the skin, the dermatologist inquires and evaluates for oral and genital symptoms and lesions, respectively; hence, eye manifestations are commonly neglected by the non-ophthalmologist. Ocular involvement in LP, LPP, and LPL may result in significant morbidity. An ophthalmic interrogatory and a gross ophthalmic evaluation performed by the dermatologist may unravel ocular signs and symptoms that require evaluation by an eye specialist. Ocular surface inflammation and scarring, when untreated, results in serious complications such as corneal perforation and permanent vision loss. This review aims to present an up-to-date overview for the dermatologist of the ocular involvement and complications of LP, LPP, and LPL, and when to refer to the ophthalmologist to prevent blinding complications.

Impairment of myocardial functions and arterial stiffness in patients with lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease. Recent studies have suggested that it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular comorbidities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare arterial stiffness and cardiovascular hemodynamics in patients with lichen planus and a healthy control group. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with lichen planus and 42 healthy controls were enrolled. All patients underwent echocardiographic examination, and arterial stiffness was measured using applanation tonometry. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was determined between the patient and control groups in terms of arterial stiffness, but stiffness was markedly higher in patients with erosive lichen planus compared to the control group and other patients (p=0.006, and p=0.023, respectively). Moderate positive correlation was determined between duration of disease and arterial stiffness. Impairment of systolic and diastolic functions was also determined in patients with lichen planus compared to the control group (p<0.001, and p=0.005, respectively). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Relatively low number of patients. CONCLUSION: The positive correlation observed between duration of disease and arterial stiffness in patients with lichen planus suggests that these patients should be followed-up in terms of cardiovascular risk in the presence of resistant and long-term disease, particularly in case of erosive lichen planus.

Impairment of myocardial functions and arterial stiffness in patients with lichen planus

Abstract Background: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease. Recent studies have suggested that it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular comorbidities. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare arterial stiffness and cardiovascular hemodynamics in patients with lichen planus and a healthy control group. Methods: Fifty-five patients with lichen planus and 42 healthy controls were enrolled. All patients underwent echocardiographic examination, and arterial stiffness was measured using applanation tonometry. Results: No statistically significant difference was determined between the patient and control groups in terms of arterial stiffness, but stiffness was markedly higher in patients with erosive lichen planus compared to the control group and other patients (p = 0.006, and p = 0.023, respectively). Moderate positive correlation was determined between duration of disease and arterial stiffness. Impairment of systolic and diastolic functions was also determined in patients with lichen planus compared to the control group (p < 0.001, and p = 0.005, respectively). Study limitations: Relatively low number of patients. Conclusion: The positive correlation observed between duration of disease and arterial stiffness in patients with lichen planus suggests that these patients should be followed-up in terms of cardiovascular risk in the presence of resistant and long-term disease, particularly in case of erosive lichen planus.

Esophageal lichen planus: An unusual cause of dysphagia in the elderly.

An 82-year-old man sought our service with dysphagia and was referred for upper endoscopy with biopsies, which evidenced multiple ulcers of the esophagus and oropharinx. Histopathology confirmed the unusual diagnosis of esophageal lichen planus. The correct clinical suspicion of this disease can facilitate the diagnosis and guide specific treatment, which can drastically change the natural course of the disease.

Esophageal lichen planus: An unusual cause of dysphagia in the elderly / Líquen plano esofágico: uma causa incomum de disfagia em idosos

Summary An 82-year-old man sought our service with dysphagia and was referred for upper endoscopy with biopsies, which evidenced multiple ulcers of the esophagus and oropharinx. Histopathology confirmed the unusual diagnosis of esophageal lichen planus. The correct clinical suspicion of this disease can facilitate the diagnosis and guide specific treatment, which can drastically change the natural course of the disease.

Resumo Paciente do sexo masculino, de 82 anos, com disfagia, foi encaminhado para realização de endoscopia digestiva alta com biópsias, na qual foram evidenciadas múltiplas úlceras de esôfago e orofaringe. O estudo histopatológico confirmou o diagnóstico raro de líquen plano esofágico. A correta suspeita clínica dessa doença pode facilitar o diagnóstico e direcionar para um tratamento específico, o que pode drasticamente alterar o curso natural dessa comorbidade.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia and extrafacial lichen planus pigmentosum in a caucasian woman.

We present the case of a 72-year-old Caucasian woman with frontal fibrosing alopecia of one year's duration. Eighteen months later, she presented with sudden hyperpigmentation on the submental area, neck and upper chest. Histopathological examination was consistent with lichen planus pigmentosus. This is the report of a unique case of a FFA and extrafacial lichen planus pigmentosus.

Lichen planopilaris in a Latin American (Chilean) population: demographics, clinical profile and treatment experience.

BACKGROUND: Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is characterized by lymphocytic infiltrate, fibrosis and potential destruction of the hair follicle. Demographic and clinical studies in LPP are limited, and racial differences have not been thoroughly investigated. AIM: To analyse epidemiological data and clinical profiles of Chilean adults with LPP, and report on the treatments used. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of medical records and clinical follow-up of Chilean adults with a clinical and histopathological diagnosis of LPP. Treatment response was categorized clinically as none (with progression of condition), mild or satisfactory. RESULTS: The study assessed 103 patients with LPP [67 women (mean age 54.1 years) and 36 men (mean age 39.1 years)]. Of the 103 patients, 41 women and 34 men were diagnosed with classic LPP (CLPP) and 26 women and 1 man with frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), while Graham-Little-Piccardi-Lassueur syndrome (GLPLS) was identified in 1 man. Men with CLPP had a significantly (P < 0.001) earlier age of onset than women. Scalp dysaesthesia, erythema and peripilar hyperkeratosis were common findings, and 51 (66%) of patients with CLPP had cicatricial patches, most of which were circumscribed in the vertex area. All patients with FFA had band-like scarring in the frontal and temporal hairlines. Morbidities associated with LPP were hypothyroidism, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and depression. For most patients, treatment halted or improved their inflammatory/scarring condition. A sustained combination of at least one topical (clobetasol, minoxidil and salicylic acid) and one systemic (cetirizine, hydroxychloroquine, finasteride, methotrexate and isotretinoin) medication was necessary in all of our patients with LPP. CONCLUSION: This investigation is one of the first to describe the demographic, clinical and therapeutic features of LPP in a Latin American population. Similar profiles to previous reports may encourage research in larger multicentre international studies.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia and extrafacial lichen planus pigmentosum in a caucasian woman

Abstract We present the case of a 72-year-old Caucasian woman with frontal fibrosing alopecia of one year's duration. Eighteen months later, she presented with sudden hyperpigmentation on the submental area, neck and upper chest. Histopathological examination was consistent with lichen planus pigmentosus. This is the report of a unique case of a FFA and extrafacial lichen planus pigmentosus.

Bilateral retinal vasculitis in a patient with lichen planus / Vasculite retiniana bilateral em um paciente com líquen plano

ABSTRACT Lichen planus (LP) is an autoimmune, inflammatory disease of unknown etiology that commonly affects the skin and mucous membranes. Retinal vasculitis is a group of vision-threatening disorders, in which autoimmunity is thought to play a role in pathogenesis. We present the case of a patient who was diagnosed with retinal vasculitis and who was followed up for mucosal LP. LP has not been reported as a cause of retinal vasculitis in the literature. We believe that the retinal vasculitis in this case was related to LP because cellular immunity plays a role in the pathogenesis of both entities.

RESUMO Líquen plano (LP) é uma doença auto-imune, inflamatória de etiologia desconhecida que normalmente afeta a pele e membranas mucosas. Vasculite retiniana engloba um grupo de doenças que ameaçam a visão em que a autoimunidade parece desempenhar um papel na sua patogênese. Apresentamos um caso que foi diagnosticado com vasculite da retina e que tinha sido acompanhado com LP de mucosa. LP não consta entre as causas de vasculite retiniana na literatura. Acreditamos que a vasculite da retina no nosso caso, foi relacionado com o LP considerando que a imunidade celular desempenha um papel na patogênese de ambas as entidades.