Methylene blue-mediated photodynamic therapy: A possible alternative treatment for oral lichen planus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In this study, methylene blue‐mediated photodynamic therapy (MB‐PDT) was used as a possible alternative method for the treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP). STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirteen patients with 26 OLP lesions were enrolled in this study. Patients were instructed to gargle a 5% methylene blue solution in water for 5 minutes. Ten minutes later, irradiation was performed by laser light (λ = 632 nm, light exposure dose = 120 J/cm2). Lesions were evaluated pre and post‐operatively and at follow‐up sessions by changes in sign and symptom (pain) scores, and size of lesions. RESULTS Improvement in sign scores was achieved in 16 lesions. Four keratotic lesions disappeared completely. There was a statistically significant decrease in sign and symptom scores 1 week after treatment and at follow‐up sessions up to 12 weeks. Average reduction in size of lesions was 44.3%. CONCLUSION MB‐PDT seems to be an effective alternative treatment for control of OLP. In our opinion, this preliminary result warrant further studies in order to show the efficacy of MB‐PDT in control of OLP for a longer period of time. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.