Histopathological evaluation of oral lichen planus

Abstract EN

Background : Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting mucosal surfaces , which can cause an important discomfort to the patients.

To highlight the most characteristic histopathological findings of OLP which are useful in making a diagnosis of OLP.

In addition, by studying the association of these finings it was hoped that information about pathogenic mechanism would be obtained.

Material and Methods : In this study a retrospective analyses of 194 cases of OLP being diagnosed at Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Department, College of Dentistry, were obtained over a period of 26 years, spanning from 1985-2010.

We analyzed the age and sex of the patients, clinical type of lichen planus, site and different histopathological finding, comparing them with each others.

Results : (61 %) of the patients are female and (39 %) are males, with an average age for both sexes (49.75 years).

The most frequent clinical form is reticular, presented in (78 %) of cases, and the most common location is buccal mucosa, presented in (60 %) of the patients.

The mononuclear infiltration beneath and adjacent to the epithelium, parakeratosis and degeneration of the basal layer of the epithelium were consistent features.

Linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between basal degeneration and mononuclear infiltration and an inverse correlation between the mononuclear infiltrate and the parakeratosis.

Conclusion : Linear regression analysis of the parameters studied provided partial support for a cell-mediated immune mechanism.