AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF DERMOSCOPIC FINDINGS IN CASES OF LICHEN PLANUS IN INDIAN SKIN

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Dermoscopy is non-invasive procedure used for diagnosis of various dermatoses. As there are very few dermoscopic studies available on LP in India, this study was undertaken to explore its role. AIM: To study dermoscopic features in LP cases. METHOD: Dermoscopic examination was done in 65 cases of LP over the study period of 3 months at a tertiary care institute. RESULTS: Total 155 lesions of 29 classical LP(CLP), 13 hypertrophic LP(HLP), 9 eruptive LP(ELP), 6 lichen planus pigmentosus(LPP), 4 lichen plano pilaris(LPPI), 2 linear LP(LLP), 2 follicular LP(FLP) cases were examined. Lesions of CLP, ELP and LLP were examined in which: Active lesions (94 lesions) - Wickham’s striae (WS): commonest pattern was radial streaming (40% lesions) and Color was white (91.48% lesions). Pigment pattern (PP): absent in almost all lesions. Commonest vascular pattern (VP): radial linear in 68.08% lesions. Commonest background Color (BC): violet Regressed lesions (20 lesions) - WS: absent in 95% lesions. Commonest PP: diffuse dots/globules (80% lesions). VP: absent. BC: brown (100% lesions) HLP (26 lesions)-Keratin Plugs (KP) in 84.61% lesions, VP: absent. FLP (2 lesions) -follicular KP in all lesions. LPP (9 lesions)-Reticular & granular Pattern was seen in all lesions, commonest pigment was dark brown, different intensity of pigmentation was present in 4 lesions. LPPI (4 lesions)-Follicular atrophy, peripilar cast and interfollicular reticular brownish pigmentation was seen in all lesions. CONCLUSION: Dermoscopic findings of LP and its variants can be useful for diagnosis and follow up.