Oral lichen planus: two case reports in male patients

Líquen plano oral: relato de dois casos em pacientes masculinos

Maiara de Moraes; Felipe Rodrigues de Matos; Joabe dos Santos Pereira; Ana Myriam Costa de Medeiros; Éricka Janine Dantas da Silveira

Post-Graduate Program, Oral Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil

Correspondence

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Lichen planus is a chronic systemic disease that commonly involves the mucosa of the oral cavity, most often in the absence of skin lesions. Although relatively frequent, oral lichen planus is the target of much controversy, mainly in relation to its pathogenesis and possible potential for malignancy. Thus, the objective of this paper is to report two cases of lichen planus in male patients and to discuss the main aspects of this disease in relation to etiopathogenesis and treatment.
CASE DESCRIPTION: Physical and histopathological examinations were carried out to confirm the diagnosis of oral lichen planus. An elixir of dexamethasone was prescribed in the first case, and in the second case, topical 0.05% clobetasol propionate was prescribed. After fifteen days, both patients presented regression of the lesion.
CONCLUSION: Although the occurrence of oral lichen planus is common, an accurate diagnosis is necessary so that the correct treatment can be established.

Key words: Lichen planus; oral mucosa; pathogenesis; diagnosis; treatment

RESUMO

OBJETIVO: O líquen plano é uma doença crônica sistêmica comum que envolve a mucosa oral, na maioria das vezes na ausência de lesões em pele. Embora relativamente comum, o líquen plano oral é alvo de muita controvérsia, especialmente em relação à sua patogênese e possibilidade de uma eventual transformação maligna. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é relatar dois casos de líquen plano em pacientes do sexo masculino e discutir os principais aspectos dessa lesão em relação a etiopatogênese e tratamento.
DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Exames físicos e histopatológicos foram realizados para confirmar o diagnóstico de líquen plano oral. Foi prescrito elixir de dexametasona no primeiro caso e no segundo caso, foi prescrito o uso tópico de propionato de clobetasol 0,05%. Após quinze dias, os pacientes retornaram com regressão da lesão. ]]> CONCLUSÃO: Embora a ocorrência de líquen plano oral é comum, o diagnóstico preciso é necessário para que o correto tratamento possa ser realizado.

Palavras-chave: Líquen plano; mucosa oral; patogênese; diagnóstico; tratamento

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Correspondence:
Éricka Janine Dantas da Silveira
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
Departamento de Odontologia
Av. Senador Salgado Filho, 1787 - Lagoa Nova
Natal, RN - Brasil 59056-000
E-mail: ericka_janine@yahoo.com.br

Received: August 11, 2009
Accepted: November 17, 2009

Conflict of Interest Statement: The authors state that there are no financial and personal conflicts of interest that could have inappropriately influenced their work.