An unusual presentation of oral lichen planus with desquamative gingivitis

Abstract

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic, autoimmune, mucocutaneous disease affecting the skin and mucosa. Oral LP (OLP) usually presents as a bilateral symmetrical lesion that affects approximately 1%–2% of the population. OLP exhibits a wide variety of clinical presentations. This case report deals with a 52-year-old female patient with OLP lesion isolated to the left buccal mucosa and desquamative gingivitis in relation to marginal gingiva of maxillary left premolars with white lacy striae extending from the left- to right-side central incisor region and a brownish-black-pigmented papule to the left angle of lip. Incisional biopsy was performed which revealed typical features of OLP. The patient was advised topical corticosteroids and antioxidants. She was subjected to oral prophylaxis to eliminate local irritating factors and was encouraged to follow meticulous oral hygiene measures to maintain periodontal health following which there was a resolution of the lesion and the symptoms.

Keywords

• desquamative gingivitis
• mucocutaneous diseases
• oral hygiene
• oral lichen planus