Synchronous presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus and oral reticular lichen planus

CLP: cutaneous lichen planus DIF: direct immunofluorescence dsDNA: double-stranded DNA SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus OLP: oral lichen planus INTRODUCTION Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease that can involve oral mucosal membranes in up to 45% of patients. Oral presentation is commonly described as erythema involving multiple oral sites. Oral ulceration is relatively rare and occasionally resembles an erosive type of oral lichen planus (OLP). Although there is some degree of histologic overlap between OLP and oral manifestations of SLE, a conclusive diagnosis can be made on direct immunofluorescence (DIF) assay results. Here, we present a case of a 42-year-old woman with SLE and bilateral buccal mucosal lesions that were clinically and histologically consistent with reticular OLP. These diagnoses were verified through DIF studies. To the best of our knowledge, synchronous presentation of SLE and reticular OLP has not been reported before.