Case of Unilateral Linear Lichen Planus with Bilateral Mucosal Involvement

Abstract

A form of lichen planus (LP) which follows the Blaschkos line pattern known as linear LP, presents with lichenoid eruptions and violaceous papules in a linear distribution. It is a rare form of LP affecting <0.2% population with LP. We present a case of a 52-year-old female with hyperpigmented patches and plaques distributed linearly along the Blaschkos line in her right leg. From a clinical perspective, the lesions on the patient’s right leg resembled those of lichenoid epidermal naevus, which is a type of linear verrucous epidermal nevus but the dermoscopic findings and the presence of oral mucosa LP indicate that the patient has the uncommon variant of LP which is called linear LP. It is thus critical for clinicians to distinguish linear LP from other acquired dermatoses following the lines of Blaschko both clinically and dermoscopically.

Keywords

• lichen planus
• oral mucosa
• unilateral