Liver affection in lichen planus

ABSTRACT

58 lichen planus patients with hepatomegaly of unapparent cause subjected to thorough clinical examination, ultrasound screening, liver function tests hepatitis B markers, antinuclear and antimitochondria antibodies were studied. Ultrasound examination showed a fine hyperechoic parenchyma. Abnormal liver function tests in 50% of cases studied in the form of a significant increase in total and direct serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transminase and alanine transaminase compared to controls. Hepatitis B markers were positive in 17 patients out of 58 cases studied [29.3%]. Antinuclear antibody was positive in 3 patients [5.1%] while the antimitochondrial antibody was negative in all studied cases. From these data we can say that in our patients with lichen planus, liver affection can be present in the from of hepatitis [viral B or auto immune] in 34.4% of cases studied and not in the form of primary biliary cirrhosis