LINEAR LICHEN-PLANUS, SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT WITH ETRETINATE - REPORT OF 2 CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Linear lichen planus is a rare clinical variant that affects usually y oung individuals. In this variety, the characteristic violaceous papul es of lichen planus are arranged in a linear fashion and usually exten d along the whole length of an extremity. We present 2 cases of linear lichen planus occuring in old age, one of them had also bilateral buc cal mucous membrane involvement of the erosive variety that had progre ssed into squamous cell carcinoma, whereas, the other patient had typi cal lichen planus lesions on the rest of the body. In the first case l ocal steroid ointment for cutaneous lesions was effective in controlli ng itching but following surgical removal of the buccal tumor, systemi c and local retinoids were additionally administered as chemopreventiv e agents. In the second case cutaneous lesions of linear lichen planus were resistant to topical steroid therapy, however, combination of sy stemic etretinate and steroid therapy resulted in rapid improvement.