Esophageal Lichen Planus: a Narrative Review of the Literature

Background: Lichen planus is a mucocutaneous chronic inflammatory disorder that can also affect the esophagus in a minority of patients. Esophageal lichen planus (ELP) is likely an underdiagnosed and underreported disease entity, although it can lead to significant morbidity with esophageal stenosis or malignant transformation.

Methods: A non-systematic search of Pubmed was performed using search terms ‘esophageal lichen planus’ and variants thereof combined with terms related to prevalence, diagnosis, and management.

Results: The cutaneous and oral forms of lichen planus are relatively common, but certain mucosal forms such as genital lichen planus are rare and esophageal planus (also a mucosal form) is very rare. ELP occurs predominantly in middle-aged women. Current guidelines regarding lichen planus do not mention a screening strategy for ELP. Diagnosis of ELP is based on endoscopic and histopathological criteria. The foremost complication of ELP is formation of esophageal strictures. Malignant transformation of ELP to squamous cell carcinoma, although rare, has also been reported. We summarize the current evidence regarding optimal management of ELP.

Conclusion: Even if esophageal lichen planus is a rare cause of esophageal strictures, it is important to raise awareness of this condition among gastroenterologists and endoscopists. The cornerstone of ELP treatment is an anti-inflammatory agent in conjunction with endoscopic dilatation of strictures. Further research is needed to devise an evidence-based treatment algorithm that describes the optimal anti-inflammatory drug in different stages/severities of ELP.

Keywords: lichen planus, esophageal lichen planus, esophageal stricture, esophageal dilatation.