Oral lichen planus is a chronic mucosal disease of unknown etiology that appear clinically as a persistent red, white or a mixed lesion. Though the precise pathogenesis is unidentified, evidences available at present strongly suggest that cell mediated immunity plays a major role in the initiation and evolution of this disease. The mast cell, the major immuno effector cell of the connective tissue is thought to be mediating this synchronized cellular orchestra, the symphonyof which results in thevarious clinical manifestations of oral lichen planus.Aim:This study is done to evaluate mast cell density in oral lichen planus and to compare it with mast cell density in normal mucosa.Materials & Methods: Sections from thirtycases of oral lichen planus and ten normal oral mucosa were studied for mast cells using toluidine blue stain. Twosample T test was used to compare the mean values of the density of cells in the lesional area to that of control. Themean of the type and distribution of mast cells were compared using F test-One way ANOVA.Result:An increase in mast cell density was noted in lichen planus when compared to normal buccal mucosa. Distribution of mast cells wassignificantly increased below the inflammatory bandandmast cell degranulation was prominent here.Conclusion:Theincreased density of mast cells and their distribution suggest their definite role in different phases of evolution of Oral Lichen Planus.
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