Dermoscopy-Guided Scalp Biopsy in Cicatricial Alopecia

March 2012 in “ Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ”

Mariya Miteva, Antonella Tosti

cicatricial alopecia dermoscopy scalp biopsy follicles pathological diagnosis

TLDR Using dermoscopy to guide scalp biopsies is an effective way to diagnose cicatricial alopecia.

The document described a study where 80 patients with cicatricial alopecia underwent dermoscopy-guided scalp biopsies over a 2-year period. This technique involved selecting biopsy sites based on dermatoscopic features specific to different types of cicatricial alopecia. The study found that this method yielded a definitive pathological diagnosis in 95% of cases (76 out of 80 patients). The conclusion was that dermoscopy-guided scalp biopsy is an effective and precise technique for identifying affected follicles in early or focal cicatricial alopecia, which can enhance the accuracy of diagnosis and the understanding of the disease's morphology. However, the study lacked a control group for comparison, which was acknowledged as a limitation.

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Research cited in this study

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research Pinpoint White Dots in the Scalp: Dermoscopic and Histopathologic Correlation

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research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Role of Dermoscopy in Differential Diagnosis

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Dermoscopy helps diagnose frontal fibrosing alopecia by distinguishing it from other hair loss conditions.

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research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia in Postmenopausal Women

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research Diagnostic and Predictive Value of Horizontal Sections of Scalp Biopsy Specimens in Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

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Related Community Posts Join

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community I am a dermatologist with a clinical interest in alopecia. AMA

in Will treatment work for me? 2 years ago

In this conversation, 4990 discussed various treatments for hair loss, including oral minoxidil, PRP, transplan, Jak inhibitors, Dutasteride, Finasteride, Olumiant, Ketoconazole, RU58841, microneedling, baricitinib, and CCCA. They recommended scalp biopsies in unclear cases of DUPA, twice weekly to twice daily shampooing for topical minoxidil users, and two sessions spaced one month apart with follow up at month three to determine the effectiveness of PRP treatment.

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 3 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community Finasteride not working isnt it MPB?

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 5 upvotes 6 months ago

A user is concerned that finasteride isn't working for their hair loss, questioning if it's due to male pattern baldness or low iron levels. They are advised to take finasteride daily and get blood work done.

community Finasteride doesn't work for me in 2 years and my bloodtest result just came in.

in Progress Pictures 88 upvotes 1 year ago

A user has been treating hair loss with finasteride for two years without success and is experiencing an itchy scalp with seborrhea. Despite low DHT levels, they are still losing hair, suggesting that DHT might not be the main cause of their hair loss, and they are considering other treatments or causes.

community Wanted to say that Derma rolling and Pumpkin seed oil helped my crown out.

in Treatment 4 upvotes 5 years ago

Derma rolling, pumpkin seed oil, and daily massages helped regrow weak hairs on the crown. Nizoral shampoo and yoga also contributed to reducing scalp pain and stress.

community DHT is about to get smashed ….

in Update 796 upvotes 2 months ago

The conversation discusses hair loss treatments like topical finasteride with minoxidil, oral dutasteride, and essential oils. Oral treatments like dutasteride and finasteride are seen as more effective, though some prefer topicals to avoid side effects.

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