What are the characteristic oral findings of Lichen planus? | Fig. 12.2 Lichen planus, showing reticulated leukoplakia of the buccal mucosa. (Courtesy of James E. Fitzpatrick, MD.) | Mucosal lesions of LP differ from cutaneous lesions through demonstration of Wickham’s stria in the absence of a papular component. A white, reticulated, “netlike” pattern is often present upon the buccal mucosa, the tongue, or other mucosal surfaces (Fig. 12-2). Other mucosal forms may be ulcerative. Some experts believe that some cases of oral LP may be associated with mercury-containing dental amalgams, although the evidence is not conclusive, and still others believe this is a separate category of disease, more aptly termed a mercury-associated lichenoid stomatitis. Dissemond J: Oral lichen planus: an overview, J Dermatol Treat 15:136–140, 2004. Bruce AJ, Rogers RS 3rd: Lichenoid contact stomatitis, Arch Dermatol 140:1524–1525, 2004. |