A recalcitrant case of erosive oral lichen planus

Abstract

Lichen Planus is an inflammatory condition of the skin and mucous membrane that can also affect oral mucosa in a variety of forms. The mucosal form has six types and at least two of them carry a risk for malignant transformation and thus warrant a follow-up. The cutaneous form is pruritic and sometimes can be self-limiting but oral lichen planus (OLP), is a chronic inflammatory disease with relapses and remissions. A case of erosive lichen planus, treated with topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% and systemic corticosteroids is reported. The lesion healed after 3 weeks of treatment, following which the patient was referred for needful restorative treatment. The patient had a recurrence during the follow-up and the second course of treatment was administered. There is no well-defined treatment for OLP yet steroids have a vital role in symptomatic relief. Although topical steroids are the mainstay, recurrent, multiple, and large lesions are supplemented with systemic corticosteroids.