Which is the difference between oral lichen planus of the tongue and oral hairy!
Question:
Which is the difference between oral lichen planus of the tongue and oral hairy leukoplakia of the tongue?
From the pictures i have seen on the internet they seem the same to me.I have these little white irregular lines that sometimes appear on the lateral sides of my tongue but when i see the pictures they resemble to oral hairy leukoplakia and lichen planus of the lateral sides of the tongue.I just want to know how can i distinguish the main differences between the two as far as their appearance and symptoms are concerned?
Answers:
I think that this should clear it up! This is from my Kerr and Ash's Oral Pathology book from 1986. I am not convinced that anything has changed.
Lichen planus is a relatively common dermatological (skin) disease with oral manifestations in about 1/3 of the cases. The clinical oral manifestation vary from flat or slightly elevated lesion with striae to extensive areas of ulceration or erosion (erosive lichen planus). Except for the erosive type, the oral lesions are seldom a diagnosis problem or require treatment. The presence of skin lesions helps to make a diagnosis in erosive lichen planus. It has unknown etiology, but may be stress related and looks white and lacey.
Oral hairy leukoplakia is a viral leukoplakia of the tongue in immunosuppressed male homosexuals who have or may develop the features of AIDS..... Clinical lesions appear as white, slightly raised "hairy" plaques on the tongue, they usually do not rub off to leave a bleeding surface as may be seen in candidial lesions.
JAMRDH - a dental hygienist