Lichen planus pemphigoides: a clinicopathological study of nine cases.

Journal article

Lichen planus pemphigoides is a rare condition characterized by blisters arising on normal or erythematous skin in a patient with concurrent lichen planus. It must be distinguished from bullous lichen planus, in which, as a consequence of severe basal cell hydropic degeneration, blisters arise within lichenoid papules or plaques. We present a clinicopathological study of nine cases of lichen planus pemphigoides, and report histological, immunofluorescent, ultrastructural and immuno-electronmicroscopical observations. We distinguish lichen planus pemphigoides from bullous lichen planus and consider the differential diagnosis. We propose that lichen planus pemphigoides does not represent a homogeneous condition: it may represent a number of bullous dermatoses that develop as a consequence of exposure of different basement membrane antigens following severe damage to the epidermal basement membrane as part of the lichenoid inflammatory process.

Authors: Willsteed, E; Bhogal, B; Das, A; Wojnarowska, F; Black, M

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Histopathology
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 147-154
• Publication date: 1991-08-01
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.1991.tb00005.x
• EISSN: 1365-2559
• ISSN: 0309-0167
• Language: English
• Keywords: Middle Aged; Diagnosis, Differential; Pemphigus; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Aged; Microscopy, Electron; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Female; Adult; Male; Lichen Planus