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Granular cells in oral lichen planus.
E H van der Meij1, I van der Waal
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA)/Academic Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Oral Diseases
|May 18, 2001
Summary
Granular cells are rarely found in oral lichen planus (OLP). This study identified granular cell changes in only one of 250 OLP cases, suggesting a reactive phenomenon or a granular cell tumor (GCT).
Area of Science:
- Oral pathology
- Dermatology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an inflammatory condition.
- Previous reports documented only three cases of granular cells associated with OLP.
Observation:
- A consecutive series of 250 OLP cases (1996-1998) were examined for granular cell changes.
- One case exhibited granular cell proliferation within the subepithelial connective tissue.
Findings:
- Histopathological and direct immunofluorescence analyses confirmed OLP characteristics.
- Granular cells expressed S-100 protein but not smooth muscle actin.
- The granular cells were unlikely to be oral ceroid granuloma.
Implications:
- Granular cell presence in OLP may represent a reactive process or a granular cell tumor (GCT).
- The etiological relationship between GCT and OLP in this case remains undetermined.