ABSTRACT
A review article published by clinicians and scientists who are considered experts in the field of oral lichen planus (OLP). It was written following a European workshop in 1995 and aimed to highlight the challenges from an epidemiological, diagnostic, and management perspective. The most common presentation is reticular white striae of the buccal mucosa, or tongue. Other forms such as plaques, ulceration and bullae may appear simultaneously or exclusively. Diagnosis of OLP is aided with histology and immunofluorescence to exclude conditions such as malignancy or vesiculo-bullous disorders. Histological features include hyperkeratosis, degenerative changes to the basal cells with a band-life infiltrate of lymphocytes and histocytes. The condition has a multifactorial etiopathogenesis and complex interactions. T-lymphocyte-mediated immunity has a major role in the pathogenesis of OLP. The literature reports lichenoid reactions in association with many common systemic therapies. Given the premalignant potential of OLP, it is recommended that patients should be reviewed on a regular basis.
