title: Issues related to diagnosing oral lichen planus among oral pathologists in South India: A pilot survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we simulated clinical scenarios by explicitly describing the history and clinical and histological features of hypothetical patients presenting with oral lichen planus (OLP), oral lichenoid lesion, and epithelial dysplasia in a self-designed questionnaire. By doing so, we aimed to elicit a diagnosis from oral pathologists and trainees, analyze their responses, appraise issues, and propose solutions regarding the diagnosis of OLP.
  
  
  METHODS
  The questionnaire was distributed to 100 oral pathologists and trainees in South India. Six questions were designed to assess awareness of the diagnostic aspects of OLP. Ten questions were hypothetical clinical scenarios (HCS) devised to evaluate respondents' knowledge of diagnostic guidelines and the criteria used by the respondents to render a diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 60 of 100 responses to the questionnaire. More than half the respondents were aware of the World Health Organization and modified guidelines of OLP. We observed considerable variations in diagnoses for the HCS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study illustrates the ambiguity in rendering an accurate diagnosis, despite adequate guidelines. Based on the responses for the HCS, we hypothesized that changes in the distribution (unilateral or bilateral) and clinical characteristic of OLP, and habits of patients, have a significant bearing on the clinical and final diagnoses of the lesion.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India.
authors: D Sharathkumar
authors: DS
authors: Sanketh
authors: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Thai Mookambikai Dental College, Chennai, India.
authors: Samuel Raj
authors: SR
authors: Srinivasan
authors: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Shankargouda
authors: S
authors: Patil
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India.
authors: Kannan
authors: K
authors: Ranganathan
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000473:pathology*; D010338:Pathology, Clinical; D010865:Pilot Projects
keywords: diagnostic criteria; epithelial dysplasia; lichenoid dysplasia; oral lichen planus; oral lichenoid lesion