Histopathological Insights into Pattern and Diagnostic Features of Lichenoid Dermatitis: A Descriptive Study

To analyze the histopathological features and spectrum of lichenoid interface dermatitis with emphasis on epidermal changes and inflammatory patterns. To study the spectrum of lichenoid lesions and estimate the clinical correlation with the histopathological diagnosis of lichenoid interface dermatitis.

This research was a retrospective observational study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Vinayaka Mission Kirupanandha Variyar Medical College and Hospital, from January 2023 to April 2025. The study included all patients with lichenoid tissue reactions. Biopsies were processed and studied under a microscope for histopathological assessment. The histopathological evaluation focused on key features of the epidermal and dermoepidermal junction.

Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages to enable comparisons with other studies. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0, and graphs and tables were created using Microsoft Word and Excel.

We had 70 cases of histopathologically diagnosed lichenoid dermatitis. The age ranged from 1 to 70 years, with the most common being 20-29 years. Females were more affected with M: F ratio of 2:3. We encountered more lichen planus and its variants as the common entity of lichenoid dermatitis, which accounts for 65.7%. The epidermal changes, such as vacuolar degeneration, hyperkeratosis, and acanthosis, are the common findings. Band-like inflammatory infiltrate was seen in 87.2% of cases.

The histopathological features may vary depending on the specific subtype of lichenoid dermatitis and the disease stage. It provides valuable insights into its diagnosis, and it should be correlated with clinical presentation and other investigative methods for a comprehensive diagnosis.