Oral lichen planus plaque variant of the tongue: A review and case report

Abstract

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell-mediated inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa of obscured etiopathogenesis. The plaque variant of OLP shows whitish homogeneous irregularities similar to leukoplakia. It affects the tongue and oral mucosa with papule lesions or rashes. OLP Plaque variant is more prevalent in tobacco smokers. Diagnosis of OLP is usually achieved by clinical and histological examination. OLP has malignant transformation potential varying between 0.3% and 3%. Although various treatment modalities are available for the condition, topical corticosteroids are widely accepted as the primary choice of OLP therapy.The objective of this review and presented case highlights epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, histopathology, differential diagnosis, and recent treatment modalities of OLP and its plaque variant.