A Comprehensive Approach to Hair Pathology of Horizontal Sections

In the 2013 study by Mariya Miteva, MD, a simplified approach for diagnosing hair pathology using photomnemonics was developed and tested. Over 300 horizontal sections were examined to identify nine photomnemonics. Two dermatopathologists and fifteen dermatology residents were then tested on their ability to match histopathologic slides to the photomnemonics after a brief training session. They achieved a 92% correct response rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of the method. The study found distinctive patterns for nonscarring alopecias ("floral" pattern) and scarring alopecias ("eyes and goggles" pattern). The document also describes the morphological features of different hair follicle types and the significance of certain patterns in diagnosing scarring alopecia. The study concluded that while photomnemonics are a useful adjunct tool for learning hair pathology, they are not intended to replace traditional methods.