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. 2023 Aug 1;13(9):1909–1934. doi: 10.1007/s13555-023-00978-0

Table 3.

Summary of published cases of lichen planus induced by topical imiquimod

Case Age (years), gender Indication for imiquimod Imiquimod regimen Interval time (weeks) Sites of lichenoid eruption Clinical manifestation Pathology Diagnosis Treatment Outcomes
O'Mahony et al., 2010 [112] 21, M GW NR 13 Shaft, glans, and prepuce Multiple violaceous plaques with Wickham striae NR LP Plastic surgery and circumcision Excellent remission
Wang et al., 2013 [30] 37, M GW Every other night, 3 months 4 Coronal and foreskin areas Multiple purple-red specks Wedge-type thickening of granular layer, liquefied degeneration, and lymphocyte infiltration LP PDT Complete remission
Brown et al., 2014 [111] 88, F BCC 2 times/week, 3 weeks 3 Inside of the lower lip, right buccal mucosa, and right lateral border of the tongue Erythema, ulcers, and leukoplakic whitish lesions No Lichenoid reaction to imiquimod Oral prednisone (60 mg) Complete remission
Drummond et al., 2015 [115] 64, F BCC NR NR Scalp Large erythematous plaque Loss of hair follicles, diffuse scarring of the superficial derma and band-like infiltrate of lymphocytes Lichen planopilaris NR NP
Zhao et al., 2020 [113] 33, M GW 3 times/week, 3 months 13 Prepuce and shaft of the penis Irregular, slightly elevated, well-defined, pale and reddish plaques Wedge-shaped hypergranulosis, lymphocyte infiltrate and pigment incontinence LP Topical 0.1% tacrolimus Improved markedly
Zhao et al., 2020 [113] 53, M GW

3 times/week,

2 months

8 Penis and scrotum Many flat-topped violaceous plaques with Wickham striae Wedge-shaped hypergranulosis, lymphocyte infiltrate and pigment incontinence LP Topical 0.1% tacrolimus Improved markedly
Furuoka et al., 2020 [114] 73, F AK 3 times/week, 4 weeks 8 Left cheek 55 × 70 mm in size, slightly elevated reddish plaque Liquefaction degeneration, lymphocyte infiltrate and pigment incontinence Lichenoid drug reaction Topical 0.1% tacrolimus Resolved
Domingues et al. 2012 [116] 44, M Oral LP 4 times 4 Lips, arms, and legs Erosion and white papules with Wickham striae No Imiquimod reactivation of LP Topical clobetasol Resolved gradually

M male, F female, GW genital warts, AC actinic cheilitis, AK actinic keratosis, BCC basal cell carcinoma, LP lichen planus, PDT photodynamic therapy, NR not reported