ABSTRACT
Lichen planus is a subacute or chronic dermatosis characterized by violaceous papules that may coalesce into plaques. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation may appear, being troublesome for the patients if it is long standing. Histologically, active papules of lichen planus show (a) hyperkeratosis, (b) focal hypergranulosis, (c) irregular acanthosis, (d) damage to the basal cell layer, and (e) band-like dermal infiltrate in close approximation to the epidermis.(1)
The surface of lichen planus lesions shows clinically pathognomonic white lines or dots in a variable configuration (Wickham striae, WS), which recall those observed in the oral mucosa. The histological correlate of WS is a compact orthokeratosis above the zones of wedge-shaped hypergranulosis and acanthosis, centered around acrosyringia and acrotrichia.(1, 2)
Wickham striae cannot always be recognized in the standard visual inspection.
