Efficacy of oral metronidazole in patients with generalized cutaneous lichen planus

Lichen planus is a common inflammatory disease of the skin, mucous membranes, nail and hair follicles. This study was performed to determine therapeutic efficacy of oral metronidazole in generalized cutaneous lichen planus in patients referred to the dermatology clinic of Razi Hospital from 2003 to 2004. Fifteen patients with lichen planus whose diagnosis was confirmed pathologically were treated with oral metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 60 days and were followed up for 1 month after the end of treatment. Nine of fifteen patients [60%] had complete response, four patients [26.7%] partial response and two patients [13.3%] had no response. Oral metronidazole may be useful in the treatment of generalized cutaneous lichen planus

Clinical manifestations of lichen planus: a report of 120 cases

Lichen planus [LP] is an idiopathic papulosquamous disorder which can show cutaneous or mucosal signs. It is caused by a cell mediated immune response to an antigen. A wide range of clinical manifestations has been reported. To determine the sex and age frequency and clinical presentations of this disease in patients referred to Razi Hospital in Tehran. In this observational case series study, patients referred to Razi Hospital in Tehran from May to July 2003 were examined and clinically or clinicopathologically confirmed cases of LP were selected. One-hundred and twenty patients had LP [52 females-68 males]. The age range was 6-80 years and the mean age was 40/6 years. Sixty-seven of patients had cutaneous lesions, 20% had mucocutaneous and 13% had mucosal lesions. Hypertrophic LP was present in 22% and typical or classic LP was seen in 18%. Seven percent of patients had scalp involvement and oral LP was present in 33.3% of cases and the most common form was reticular. Genital lesions were present in 6% of cases mainly in male cases and as annular form. Six percent of patients had positive family history of LP. In this study LP was more common in male patients and in fourth decade of life. Hypertrophic LP and classic LP were the most common and reticular form was the most common form of oral LP. Genital lesions were mainly seen in male patients and as annular form