Comparative Study of Histopathological Patterns and Mast Cells in Cutaneous Lichen Planus and Lichenoid Lesions

Balasubrahmaniyam Priya; T.B. Uma Devi; Karthikeyan K; Mourouguessine Vimal

doi:10.21276/apalm.2049

Authors

Balasubrahmaniyam Priya Postgraduate, Department of Pathology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry, India.
T.B. Uma Devi Professor and Head, Department of Pathology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry, India.
Karthikeyan K Professor and Head, Department of Dermatology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry,India.
Mourouguessine Vimal Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/apalm.2049

Keywords:

Lichenoid reaction, Lichen planus, Interface dermatitis, Mast cells.

Abstract

Background

Besides lichen planus various other skin lesions like erythema multiforme, pityriasis lichenoides, etc., show lichenoid reaction pattern. This study was aimed to compare the histological features and number of mast cells in cutaneous lichen planus and lichenoid lesions. Studies have shown increase in mast cell numbers in mucosal lichen planus and lichenoid lesions.

Methods

Tissue sections of lichen planus and lichenoid lesions, (forty samples for each group) were studied. All the epidermal, dermal changes and mast cell numbers were noted.

Results

Epidermal and dermal changes like acanthosis, hypergranulosis, hyperkeratosis, location of inflammatory cells, severity of inflammation and basement membrane thickness were statistically significant between the two groups. Cases with severe inflammation showed thin and disrupted basement membrane, severe capillary proliferation and severe basal cell vacuolation. The number of mast cells was not significant on comparison between the two groups.

Conclusion

The epidermal and dermal changes were consistent with usual histopathological findings in these lesions. The mast cell number was not significant on comparison, which may be due to the common and overlapping mechanisms in the pathogenesis of inflammation in both the groups.

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