قياس الحزازالفموي

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is typically diagnosed based on its clinical appearance, with biopsies used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions. While a visual examination is often sufficient, specialized tests like biopsies, cultures, and blood tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis and assess for other related conditions.  Diagnosis: Clinical Examination: Doctors and dentists assess the appearance of lesions in the mouth, looking for characteristic features like white, lacy patches (reticular OLP), atrophic areas, or erosions.  Biopsy: A small tissue sample is taken from the affected area and examined under a microscope to identify the characteristic features of OLP and rule out other conditions like oral cancer.  Other Tests: Cultures: Samples may be cultured to check for secondary infections.  Blood Tests: Blood tests may be done to check for conditions like hepatitis C, which can be associated with OLP.  Measuring Severity and Activity: Visual Analog Scale (VAS): Patients rate the intensity of their symptoms on a scale from "no symptoms" to "worst imaginable symptoms," according to a study published by the University of California, San Francisco.  Numerical Rating Scale: Similar to VAS, this scale uses numbers to quantify symptom intensity.  Thongprasom Scoring System: This system assesses the extent and type of lesions, with scores ranging from 0 (normal) to 5 (erosive).  REU (Reticular, Erosive, Ulcerative) Score: This system focuses on the specific characteristics of the lesions, allowing for a more detailed assessment of OLP severity and activity.  Monitoring: Regular check-ups are essential, especially for erosive OLP, as it can increase the risk of mouth cancer.  Key Considerations: The clinical appearance of OLP can vary, and some cases may require more detailed investigations.  Biopsy is crucial for confirming the diagnosis and excluding other conditions.  Scoring systems and symptom scales help track the severity and progression of OLP over time.  Regular monitoring by a healthcare professional is important, particularly for erosive OLP, due to the  potential  for malignant transformationDr Mohamed Assadawy.