DIFFUSE LICHEN PLANUS OF THE TONGUE: CASE REPORT

¹Başkent Üniversitesi, kbb, Ankara, Türkiye
²Başkent Üniversitesi, kbb, Ankara, Türkiye
³Başkent Üniversitesi, patoloji, Ankara, Türkiye Lichen planus is a disease that involves skin, mucosal surfaces and nail but not the solid organs. It frequently affects wrist, leg, back and perimalleolar region with a mean age of onset in the third to sixth decade. Oral and genital mucosal lesions can also be seen. Oral lichen planus is an inflammatory disease that can appear in different clinical forms. Lichen planus is a T-cell mediated disease. Even though lichen planus is an idiopathic disease basal membrane or basal keratinocytes are immunohistologically effected by T-lymphocytes. Oral lichen planus is classified as a premalignant lesion, data about prognosis of associated malignancies are inadequate. Frequency of malignant transformation in oral lichen planus is ranging from 0%- 5.6%. Oral lichenoid reactions are reported to undergo malignant transformation more than classical oral lichen planus. There are multiple local or systemic therapeutic modalities for treating lichen planus. A 60-year-old female patient with loss of taste, burning sensation and numbness on her tongue with white lesions is presented. Incisional biopsy from the white lesions on different parts of the dorsum of her tongue confirmed the diagnosis of lichen planus. She was followed up by our clinic and was referred to the dermatology department for treatment. Keywords : oral lichen planus, tongue