What is it about?
Lichen planus is a very common autoimmune disease, that may affect skin and /or mucosa. Its oral form is also extremely common and has a know risk of malignant degeneration into squamocellular carcinoma. Lichenoid lesions in larynx and pharynx have been only exceptionally described and this is the first preliminary report in a small case series which demonstrates that such lesions are all but exceptional. Further research is needed for confirmation and assessment of potential malignant degeneration.
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Why is it important?
This novel finding may open exciting research opportunities and also raises some important clinical questions, the first being the opportunity to have patients with oral lichen planus routinely evaluated by fiber optic endoscopy to assess these lesions.
Perspectives
Besides the novelty of findings and their clinical significance, this is another good reminder on how much mutlidiscipinlary collaborations opens new path for consistent patient care, in this case mixing skills and perspective between otolaryngologists and oral pathologists.
Dr alberto maria saibene
Universita degli Studi di Milano
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Identification of putative laryngeal and pharyngeal lichen planus lesions: an endoscopic preliminary evaluation in 16 patients, Clinical Otolaryngology, August 2020, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/coa.13633.
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