Patient with lichen planus and conjunctival immunopathologic features of lupus erythematosus

PURPOSE: To report a case of severe cicatricial conjunctivitis in a patient with lichen planus, which is known to affect the skin and mucous membranes . The conjunctival immunopathologic features were consistent with lupus ery thematosus rather than with lichen planus. METHOD: Oral mucosal and skin biopsies were performed with histopathologic and immunofluorescent studies consistent with lichen planus. The patient la ter had a biopsy of cicatrized conjunctiva with histopathologic and immunof luorescent findings consistent: with lupus erythematosus. Evaluation by rhe umatology and dermatology consultants demonstrated no evidence of active sy stemic lupus erythematosus or discoid lupus erythematosus. RESULTS: The patient was treated with topical and systemic immunosuppressiv es and her disease eventually stabilized. CONCLUSION: The case demonstrates two coexisting autoimmune disease entitie s: lichen planus of the skin and oral mucosa and a cicatricial conjunctivit is consistent: with lupus erythematosus. (Am J Ophthalmol 1999; 128:364-365 . (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).