Oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid lesions – an analysis of clinical and histopathological features

In the oral mucosa, a precise classification of inflammatory lesions with a histopathological lichenoid inflammation represents a diagnostic challenge. Oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral lichenoid lesions (OLL) share several clinical and histopathological characteristics, therefore it is often difficult to distinguish between them. However, considering that the pathophysiologic mechanisms and the treatment approach of OLP and OLL are different, an early distinction of between these two diseases is meaningful.