Temporal Triangular Alopecia: Significance of Trichoscopy in Differential Diagnosis
September 2014
in “
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
”
Studysummary This study suggests that trichoscopy with a handheld dermatoscope may help differentiate temporal triangular alopecia from other localized alopecia by identifying specific hair features.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
Between November 2008 and April 2013, a study involving nine patients diagnosed with Temporal Triangular Alopecia (TTA) assessed the effectiveness of trichoscopy as a diagnostic tool. Trichoscopy, using a polarized-light handheld dermatoscope, consistently found short vellus hairs, vellus hair length diversity, and white hairs in all patients. Some patients also exhibited white dots, a honeycomb pigment pattern, arborising red lines, and epidermal scale, ranging from 22% to 33%. No trichoscopic signs typical for other localized alopecias, such as tapering hairs, yellow dots, or a loss of follicular openings, were present. The study concluded that trichoscopy could reliably distinguish TTA from other forms of localized alopecia based on these findings, potentially avoiding unnecessary biopsies and incorrect treatments.
