Spectrum of dermoscopic patterns in lichen planus: a case series from China.

BACKGROUND

Dermoscopy has been shown to be a promising method to facilitate the diagnosis of lichen planus (LP) outside of China.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the spectrum of dermoscopic patterns in Chinese LP patients.

METHODS

The clinical data and dermoscopic patterns of nine LP cases with a total of 43 lesions were evaluated.

RESULTS

To the naked eye, 20.97% of the lesions exhibited graying Wickham striae (WS); however, 37.5% presented with white streaks of annular, reticular, or leaf venation patterns under dermoscopy. Blue-white veils were occasionally observed in the center. Pigment patterns varied from dots, globules, and peppered pigment to pigmented lines, which were unrelated to the pigment network of the skin. At the periphery of the WS, red fine lines ran parallel to the delicate white streaming lines.

CONCLUSIONS

WS exhibits five morphological patterns (leaf venation, reticular, white dots, circular and radial streaming) and three color patterns (homogeneous crystalline white, blue-white veil and yellowish-white). The pigment patterns consisted of dots/globules, peppered pigments and pigment. streaming lines.