[Lichen planus. Clinical diagnosis, epidemiology and pathogenesis]

Lichen planus is a common mucocutaneous disease of unknown etiology which was initially described a century ago. The specific etiology remains unclear. A number of relationships between lichen planus and other conditions have been noted. The lesions occur most commonly on the buccal mucosa. Gingival involvement occurs in approximately 10% of reported cases. The appearance of lichen planus is extremely variable which leads to confusion with other clinically similar disease entities.