Lichen Planus With Plasma Cell Infiltrate

Abstract

The dermal infiltrate of lichen planus histologically is characterized by a preponderance of lymphocytes; plasma cells, if present, are usually sparse in number. We describe herein a patient whose lesions of lichen planus contained numerous plasma cells in the dermal infiltrate. <h3>Report of a Case</h3> A 56-year-old woman was examined for a characteristic eruption of lichen planus of four years' duration. She was also studied for a protein-losing enteropathy of undetermined cause. She had a history of Raynaud's phenomenon since the age of 28 years. She had not taken any medications that could be implicated as a cause of her eruption. On physical examination, the patient's buccal mucosa and lips contained leukokeratotic reticulated lesions. Her upper and lower extremities showed multiple polyangular violaceous plaques with Wickham's striae. The patient had anonychia of both great toenails and the second right toenail and pterygium formation of both thumbnails. Abnormal laboratory findings included