The role of patch testing in the management of oral lichenoid reactions.

Author: Suter VG, Warnakulasuriya S.

Source: Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine.

Year: 2016

Comment:

Abstract / Excerpt:

RESULTS:
Among 115 patients, 67.8% patients reacted positive to a dental material and nearly a quarter to mercury or amalgam. No correlation was found between pathology and skin patch testing results (P = 0.44). A total of 87 patients were followed up in clinic, and among 26 patch-test-positive patients who had their amalgam fillings replaced, moderate to complete resolution was noted in 81%.

CONCLUSIONS:
Skin patch testing is a valuable tool to confirm clinically suspected oral lichenoid reactions. Pathology diagnoses of oral lichenoid reactions did not correlate with patch test results. Prospective studies are needed to ascertain that a clinically suspected oral lichenoid reaction with a positive patch test result may resolve after the replacement of amalgam fillings.

Citation: Suter VG, Warnakulasuriya S. The role of patch testing in the management of oral lichenoid reactions. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine. 2016 ; 45(1):48-57.