A Japanese Case of Esophageal Lichen Planus that Was Successfully Treated with Systemic Corticosteroids

Esophageal lichen planus (ELP) is rare and only about 80 cases have been reported in the literature. An 85-year-old woman presented with dysphagia and odynophagia. Endoscopy revealed a severe stricture in the proximal esophagus. Oral examinations at two years after the first endoscopy revealed erosions around the gingiva, and an examination of biopsy specimens taken from the site of erosion led to a diagnosis of oral lichen planus. Esophageal endoscopy was performed again, and biopsy specimens showed spongiosis and necrotic keratinocytes in the epithelium (civatte bodies). The patient was diagnosed with ELP and was treated with systemic corticosteroids, which resulted in clinical relief.