TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of scalp dermoscopy in the diagnosis of alopecia areata incognita
AU - Tosti, Antonella
AU - Whiting, David
AU - Iorizzo, Matilde
AU - Pazzaglia, Massimiliano
AU - Misciali, Cosimo
AU - Vincenzi, Colombina
AU - Micali, Giuseppe
PY - 2008/7
Y1 - 2008/7
N2 - Background: Alopecia areata incognita is a variety of alopecia areata characterized by acute diffuse shedding of telogen hairs without typical patches. Objective: We sought to report the clinical, pathological, and dermoscopic features of alopecia areata incognita. Methods: Seventy patients with alopecia areata incognita were evaluated clinically and with videodermoscopy during the period of 2002 to 2006. Pathology was performed in 50 patients. Results: The presence of numerous, diffuse, round or polycyclic yellow dots, different in size and uniform in color and distribution, was a typical dermoscopic feature in all patients. Short regrowing hairs were also present. The dermoscopic findings were correlated and supported by the histologic features of the scalp specimens. Limitations: Scalp biopsy was performed only in 50 patients. Conclusion: Videodermoscopy is a first step before performing a biopsy. It can help the clinician to find the right place to take the sample, but can also avoid unnecessary biopsies.
AB - Background: Alopecia areata incognita is a variety of alopecia areata characterized by acute diffuse shedding of telogen hairs without typical patches. Objective: We sought to report the clinical, pathological, and dermoscopic features of alopecia areata incognita. Methods: Seventy patients with alopecia areata incognita were evaluated clinically and with videodermoscopy during the period of 2002 to 2006. Pathology was performed in 50 patients. Results: The presence of numerous, diffuse, round or polycyclic yellow dots, different in size and uniform in color and distribution, was a typical dermoscopic feature in all patients. Short regrowing hairs were also present. The dermoscopic findings were correlated and supported by the histologic features of the scalp specimens. Limitations: Scalp biopsy was performed only in 50 patients. Conclusion: Videodermoscopy is a first step before performing a biopsy. It can help the clinician to find the right place to take the sample, but can also avoid unnecessary biopsies.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.03.031
DO - 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.03.031
M3 - Article
C2 - 18440667
AN - SCOPUS:45049088197
VL - 59
SP - 64
EP - 67
JO - Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
JF - Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
SN - 0190-9622
IS - 1
ER -