TLDR A patient with a thick scalp and hair loss was correctly diagnosed with alopecia areata and a thick scalp fat layer, not lipedematous alopecia, and regrew hair after treatment.
The document discusses a case of alopecia areata occurring alongside lipedematous scalp (LS), a condition characterized by a thickened scalp due to an increased subcutaneous fat layer. This combination can be misdiagnosed as lipedematous alopecia (LA), which involves hair loss and shortened hairs. However, histopathologic examination revealed a thickened subcutaneous fat layer and hair bulb inflammation, distinguishing it from LA. The patient's hair regrowth was noticeable after treatment with topical steroids, minoxidil, oral compound glycyrrhizin, and vitamin D. The report emphasizes that LS and alopecia areata can coexist, and accurate diagnosis requires histopathologic examination.
5 citations
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January 2019 in “Skin appendage disorders” The conclusion is that it's important to tell apart alopecia areata from lipedematous alopecia for proper treatment, as alopecia areata can be reversed.
30 citations
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May 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology” A 52-year-old black woman experienced gradual scalp swelling and slowed hair growth over 5 years, leading to diffuse alopecia, particularly on the vertex and parietal regions, with a peripheral crown of hair spared. Despite no history of trauma or medication use, and normal laboratory tests, a CT scan revealed thickening of subcutaneous fatty tissue on the scalp. A biopsy showed a normal epidermis and dermis but a significant increase in subcutaneous fat thickness, with hair follicles replaced by fibrous tracts and no inflammation. The condition was identified as lipedematous alopecia, a rare form of nonscarring but permanent alopecia characterized by increased subcutaneous fat and loss of hair follicles.
1 citations
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March 2017 in “PubMed” A study conducted on 10 patients with alopecia areata, including 4 with alopecia universalis, 4 with alopecia totalis, and 2 with extensive alopecia areata, investigated the effects of a 1% minoxidil solution applied topically. The results indicated that significant hair growth did not occur after 3 months of treatment.
July 2013 in “DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)” Minoxidil can effectively treat patchy hair loss by stimulating hair growth.
