Comparing the effects of cryotherapy with nitrous oxide gas versus topical corticosteroids in the treatment of oral lichen planus.
BACKGROUND
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa with treatment challenges for clinicians.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to compare the effects of cryotherapy as a new modality with topical corticosteroids as a conventional therapy in the treatment of OLP.


METHODS
Thirty patients with bilateral OLP lesions were selected. From each patient a lesion on one side was chosen randomly for a single session of cryotherapy with nitrous oxide gas and the lesion on the other side received triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% ointment in orabase. Treatment outcome was measured by means of an appearance score, pain score (visual analogue scale), and severity of lesions before treatment and after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment.


METHODS
Paired samples t-test and Wilcoxon test.


RESULTS
In both methods of treatment sign score, pain score and severity of lesions was significantly reduced in all follow-up sessions (P<0.05). But the treatment outcome and relapse was not significantly different between the two treatment methods (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Cryotherapy with nitrous oxide gas is as effective as topical triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of OLP with no systemic side effects and needs less patient compliance. It can be considered as an alternative or adjuvant therapy in OLP patients to reduce the use of treatments with adverse effects.
Dariush
D
Amanat
Hooman
H
Ebrahimi
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Maryam Zahed
MZ
Zahedani
Nasim
N
Zeini
Sara
S
Pourshahidi
Zahra
Z
Ranjbar
D000287:Administration, Topical; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009609:Nitrous Oxide