Dermatoscopic Features of Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

June 2014 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Mariya Miteva, Antonella Tosti

central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia CCCA dermatoscopy peripilar white halo lamellar fibrosis broken hairs inflammation terminal to vellus hair ratio

TLDR Researchers found a white halo around hair in most patients with a specific type of hair loss, which helps in early diagnosis and treatment.

In 2014, researchers studied the dermatoscopic features of central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) in 51 African American women, using 153 nonpolarized dermatoscopic images. They identified a peripilar white halo around hair emergence in 94% of patients, which was specific and sensitive for diagnosing CCCA. This feature corresponds to lamellar fibrosis on pathology. The study also observed broken hairs in 24% of cases, indicating inflammation and a diagnostic feature of CCCA. Additionally, the alopecic area had a lower terminal to vellus hair ratio than normal. These findings are intended to assist in early detection and treatment of CCCA.

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Research cited in this study

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