Lichenoid lesions

Lichenoid lesions include a broad group of oral mucosa lesions which share clinical characteristics and histological criteria with Oral Lichen Planus (OLP); although the infiltrate is mixed (plasma cells, eosinophils, and neutrophils)
The etiology of OLL is usually identifiable and are indicative of disease or different, localised conditions.  The best known lichenoid lesions (LL) are:
– LL from contact with dental material, specifically amalgam, presenting close to an amalgam filling. They are neither bilateral nor symmetrical and, in most cases, they heal following removal of the amalgam.
– LL from drugs, specifically NSAIDs, ACE-inhibitors, hypoglycaemic drugs, penicillamine, biopharmaceutical and antineoplastic drugs (such as: Adalimumab, Imatinib, Sunitinib and Capecitabine).
Clinical and histological characteristics are very similar to those of OLP, such that a differential diagnosis is not easy other than, with the agreement of the prescribing doctor, suspending treatment with suspect drug and a clinical amelioration is observed.