Publication
Oral, esophageal and cutaneous lichen ruber planus controlled with alitretinoin: case report and review of the literature
Journal Paper/Review - Aug 15, 2013
Kolios Antonios G A, Marques Maggio Ewerton, Gubler Christoph, Cozzio Antonio, Dummer Reinhard, French Lars E, Navarini Alexander A
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Pages
Brief description/objective
BACKGROUND
Therapy-resistant lichen planus (LP) can be a challenging condition for dermatologists. There are some case reports about successful treatments with alitretinoin of cutaneous and oral, but not of esophageal LP.
OBJECTIVE
We present the unique case of a patient with cutaneous, oral and esophageal LP which was refractory to classical treatment options (topical clobetasol propionate and pimecrolimus, intramuscular triamcinolone acetonide); because of systemic side effects the patient did not tolerate systemic acitretin dosed up to 25 mg daily.
METHODS
Oral alitretinoin was used at a dose of 30 mg daily.
RESULTS
Both oral and skin changes as well as dysphagia completely resolved within 4 weeks without any severe side effects and the drug was used for 6 months. No papules, intraoral striae or dysphagia recurred during the 6 months of treatment. After 4 months the patient relapsed with mucosal patches so that a second cycle was initiated for 6 months where oral LP lesions resolved after 4 weeks also (with sporadic mild headache).
CONCLUSION
Further studies are needed to better understand the impact of alitretinoin in LP. Our observation suggests alitretinoin as a new, well-tolerated treatment option for esophageal LP after failed response to conventional treatments.