Pathomorphological and immunohistochemical analysis of proliferative activity of the buccal mucosal epithelium in lichen planus.

Structural reorganization of the buccal mucosa and changes in proliferative activity of epitheliocytes in typical and erosive ulcerative lichen planus were studied. The most manifest diagnostically significant pathomorphological signs of lichen planus of the buccal mucosa are described: acanthosis, granulosis, parakeratosis, lymphocytic infiltration of the lamina propria, and edema. The most pronounced morphological changes and higher index of epitheliocyte proliferative activity (by expression of Ki-67) are characteristic of the erosive ulcerative form of the disease.