LICHEN-PLANUS AND THYMOMA - A CASE-REPORT

Introduction. Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease of the s kin, rarely associated with a thymoma. Case report. A R-year-old woman with erosive buccal lichen, hypertrophic lichen planus of the lower l imbs, severe myasthenia and acquired hypogammaglobulinaemia associated with thymoma. CD8 lymphocyte count was increased. In the months follo wing surgical ablation of the thymoma, the clinical examination and la boratory findings progressively returned to normal. Two years later, t he patient was in good health. Discussion. To our knowledge, this is t he first report of favourable outcome after surgical treatment despite the aggressive symptomatology. The particular outcome allow confirmat ion that the thymoma plays a causal role in this syndrome and emphasiz es the effects a thymoma can have on the immune system.