BH20: A Multicentre Analysis of the Adequacy of Alopecia Horizontal Biopsy Samples Over 10 Years

    June 2025 in “ British Journal of Dermatology ”
    Faris Kubba, Joanna Hawkins
    TLDR Standardized forms and digital tools can improve alopecia biopsy diagnosis.
    This retrospective study analyzed alopecia biopsy samples from 493 patients over 10 years across three London hospitals, focusing on the adequacy of these samples for diagnosis. The study found that 27.6% of cases were either scarring or nonscarring alopecia, with a predominance of nonscarring cases, highlighting diagnostic challenges. Factors such as variability in clinical diagnostic accuracy, lack of clinical details, and prebiopsy treatment contributed to lower diagnostic yield. The study suggests using standardized request forms with detailed clinical data and duration of onset, avoiding biopsies for very early or late-onset disease, and incorporating follicular analysis tables to improve diagnostic outcomes. Future integration of digital pathology and artificial intelligence may enhance diagnostic accuracy.
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