Lichen planus of the larynx.

OBJECTIVE

We report an extremely rare case of laryngeal lichen planus.

METHOD: A case report and literature review of the aetiopathogenesis, clinical features and management of laryngeal lichen planus are presented.

RESULTS

A male patient presented with hoarseness and a history suggestive of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. However, characteristic histopathological findings demonstrated lichen planus. The patient responded very well to oral steroids, and at the time of writing had remained symptom-free for two years.

CONCLUSION

This is the first English language report of laryngeal lichen planus. Lichen planus is a diagnosis of exclusion and responds well to steroids. However, patients should be followed up regularly as malignant change is known to occur.