Use of low-level laser therapy for oral lichen planus in children

• Published in: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery, medicine, and pathology Vol. 30; no. 6; pp. 559 - 561
• Main Authors: Pedro, Livia Assumpção, Ferrisse, Túlio Morandin, Fernandes, Darcy, Silveira, H.A., Ortega, Rose Mara, León, Jorge Esquiche, Bufalino, Andreia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2018
• Subjects: Low-level light therapy; Mucocutaneous immune-mediated disease; Oral lichen planus; Pediatric patients; Oral lichen planus; Low-level light therapy; Mucocutaneous immune-mediated disease; Pediatric patients
• ISSN: 2212-5558; 2212-5566
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoms.2018.06.004

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic immune-mediated mucocutaneous disorder predominantly in white women after the fifth decade of life, rarely affecting children. Symptomatic OLP is usually treated with systemic and/or topical corticosteroids, but its prolonged use may cause several adverse effects. An eight-year-old girl presented bilateral white reticular plaques associated with atrophic areas involving the buccal and labial mucosa, and tongue dorsal surface with burning complaining. Medical history was non-contributory and an incisional biopsy was performed. Clinical and microscopic features were highly consistent with OLP diagnosis. Hence, 20 punctual low-level laser therapy (LLLT) sessions were performed, followed by significant clinical improvement and symptom discontinuation. We suggest that LLLT appears to be a successful treatment for childhood OLP, with good acceptance by pediatric patients.