Open AccessNo lesion? No problem: case of oesophageal lichen planus in a patient without any cutaneous lesions
Author(s) -
Tamoore Arshad,
Katarina Fleckenstein,
Nitin Sardana,
Peter L Scudera
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2019-232375
Subject(s) - odynophagia , medicine , mucocutaneous zone , dysphagia , dermatology , basal cell , lesion , presentation (obstetrics) , disease , pathology , surgery
Oesophageal lichen planus (ELP) is an uncommon presentation of mucocutaneous lichen planus. Due to its rare nature, it can often be misdiagnosed. As such, there can be a significant delay between symptom onset and diagnosis. ELP drastically reduces quality of life secondary to the severe dysphagia and odynophagia that typically accompany this pathogenesis. Additionally, it is important to diagnose ELP in a timely manner as ELP increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma, with reported cases of malignant transformation. More research is needed on ELP with regard to diagnostic criteria and evidence-based therapeutic recommendations.