Hypertrophic Lichen Planus – a Case Report

Lichen planus is an immune, infl ammatory reaction with characteristic clinical and histological lesions. It is a benign disorder, often chronic or recurrent, characterized by fl at-topped, pink to purple, shiny pruritic polygonal papules on the skin, or milky white reticular papules on the visible mucous membranes. Hypertrophic lichen planus is a chronic form of lichen planus with marked epidermal hyperplasia and intense pruritus. It is characterized by symmetrical hypertrophic plaques, usually located on the pretibial or perimalleolar regions. Lesions are often resistant to treatment.

This paper presents a patient with a giant form of verrucous lichen planus on the lower extremities, with a chronic course and resistance to various forms of therapy (keratolytics, local and intralesional corticosteroids, radiotherapy, systemic antibiotics, cryotherapy). Significant improvement was seen after 8-month treatment with etretinate (initial dose of 75 mg per day, with progressive reduction to 10 mg per day). Etretinate therapy resulted in a significant regression of the disease.