Histochemical analysis of lichen planus and lichenoid lesions.

Dr. Sangita Bohara; Dr. Jyotsna Singh; Dr. Sunil Kumar Gupta

Volume : VII, Issue : XII, December - 2018

Histochemical analysis of lichen planus and lichenoid lesions.

Dr. Sangita Bohara, Dr. Jyotsna Singh, Dr. Sunil Kumar Gupta

Abstract :

Lichenoid eruptions represent a heterogenous group with variable histopathological features and often present as diagnostic challenge to the pathologist. We aimed to study the histopathological changes in lichen planus and lichenoid lesions and evaluate the role of special stains in their diagnosis. A retrospective study was conducted in 42 lichenoid lesions in which the cases were divided into two groups including 22 cases of lichen planus and its variants(LP) and 20 cases of other lichenoid lesions(OLL). These cases were studied in routine Hematoxylin & Eosin(H&E) as well as Periodic acid Schiff(PAS) and Toluidine blue stain(TB). The results were analysed using Mann Whitney U test and Fischers exact test. Few histopathological features and thickened PAS positive basement memane were significantly associated with LP and its variants and turned out to be helpful parameters in making the right diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION

Lichen Planus(LP) is an inflammatory skin condition with characteristic clinical and histopathological findings. Classic LP typically presents as pruritic, polygonal, violaceous, flat topped papules and plaques. Many variations in morphology and location also exists. The clinical presentation of the rarer variant lesions may be largely dissimilar to classic LP and therefore difficult to diagnose solely based on the clinical examination. Histopathological examination, although reveals similar features and aids in proper diagnosis.¹Many clinically distinct inflammatory dermatoses also have in common varying elements of histopathological features and these are called as lichenoid dermatoses.² The clinical spectrum of lichenoid tissue reactions is wider with most of the diseases showing basal cell damage and a band like lymphocytic infiltrate that hugs the dermo–epidermal junction, except for subtle differences that define the particular variant.³