In Vivo Imaging Techniques for the Human Scalp: A Systematic Review of the Literature

September 2024 in “ Lasers in Surgery and Medicine ”

Bobak Hedayati, Luke Horton, Brittany Urso, Chloe Ekelem, Arash Babadjouni, Ajay Sharma, Natasha Atanaskova Mesinkovska

alopecia scalp imaging noninvasive imaging scalp biopsy inflammatory scalp diseases

Studysummary This study concluded that noninvasive imaging techniques offer potential benefits in managing scalp conditions by potentially reducing the need for biopsies and minimizing patient morbidity, each technique having unique advantages and limitations for specific conditions.

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This systematic review evaluates 42 studies on noninvasive in vivo imaging techniques for diagnosing scalp conditions, particularly alopecia, to reduce the need for invasive biopsies. Techniques such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS), and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) are highlighted for their potential in providing detailed scalp imaging and enhancing diagnostic accuracy. OCT is effective in assessing vascular changes and follicular counts, while HFUS is recommended for examining follicle depth and distinguishing scalp lesions. RCM is useful for differentiating scarring from non-scarring alopecia. Despite their promise, these techniques face challenges like the need for large-scale studies and operator dependency, and none have yet replaced histopathology as the gold standard.

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Research cited in this study

16 / 16 results

research The Place of B-Mode Ultrasonography, Shear-Wave Elastography, and Superb Microvascular Imaging in the Pre-Diagnosis of Androgenetic Alopecia

1 citations , September 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This study demonstrated that B-mode ultrasound and shear-wave elastography could differentiate individuals at risk of developing androgenetic alopecia from healthy individuals by assessing cranial subcutaneous tissue thickness and epidermis-dermis stiffness.

research Comparing the Efficacy of Mesotherapy to Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss Using Ultrasound Biomicroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

March 2019 in “PubMed”

In this study, mesotherapy containing nutritional supplements was found to increase patient satisfaction and improve the number of hair follicles more effectively than topical minoxidil in treating female pattern hair loss, though both methods showed similar overall efficacy in hair density and hair loss reduction.

research Feature Characterization of Scarring and Non-Scarring Types of Alopecia by Multiphoton Microscopy

24 citations , September 2018 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This study shows that multiphoton microscopy can non-invasively distinguish between scarring and non-scarring alopecia by identifying certain morphological features, but further research is needed to confirm its clinical utility.

research Monilethrix: A Case Report Imaged by Trichoscopy, Reflectance Confocal Microscopy, and Histopathology

1 citations , February 2018 in “Australasian journal of dermatology”

Advanced imaging techniques are crucial for accurately diagnosing Monilethrix, a rare hair disorder.

research Thermal Imaging and Dermoscopy for Detecting Inflammation in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

12 citations , July 2017 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology”

This study suggests that infrared thermography may be a useful noninvasive tool for diagnosing active phases of frontal fibrosing alopecia when combined with dermoscopy.

Low-Level Light and Minoxidil 5% Combination Versus Either Modality Alone in Management of Female Patterned Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Study

research Low-Level Light and Minoxidil 5% Combination Versus Either Modality Alone in Management of Female Patterned Hair Loss: A Randomized Controlled Study

34 citations , May 2017 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

This study found that combining low-level light therapy with topical minoxidil 5% may lead to better hair regrowth and patient satisfaction in treating female pattern hair loss compared to using each treatment alone.

research Scalp Imaging Techniques

5 citations , March 2017 in “Laser Physics Letters”

This review discusses the role of scalp imaging techniques in trichology for researching drug delivery and toxicology, without presenting new clinical results.

research Reflectance Confocal Microscopy for Scarring and Non-Scarring Alopecia Real-Time Assessment

17 citations , May 2016 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

This study identified specific reflectance confocal microscopy features that help differentiate scarring from non-scarring alopecia, providing a non-invasive diagnostic tool.

research Doppler Laser Imaging Predicts Response to Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

April 2016 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found a perfect correlation between laser Doppler velocimetry measurements of scalp blood perfusion after minoxidil application and sulfotransferase enzyme activity in hair follicles, indicating a potential non-invasive test to predict minoxidil response in female pattern hair loss.

research In Vivo Visualization of Hair Follicles by Ultrasound Biomicroscopy in Alopecia Areata and Its Correlation with Histopathology

7 citations , January 2015 in “PubMed”

This study found that ultrasound biomicroscopy can effectively visualize hair follicles in alopecia areata patients, with no significant difference compared to histopathological measurements of follicle number and width.

research Hair Morphology in Androgenetic Alopecia

17 citations , June 2014 in “Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine”

This study found that sonography and electron microscopy revealed distinct abnormalities in hair follicle morphology in patients with androgenetic alopecia, which may aid in diagnosing and managing the condition.

Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Can Differentiate Dermoscopic White Dots of the Scalp Between Sweat Gland Ducts or Follicular Infundibulum

research Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Can Differentiate Dermoscopic White Dots of the Scalp Between Sweat Gland Ducts or Follicular Infundibulum

20 citations , April 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Reflectance confocal microscopy can tell apart white dots on the scalp as either sweat gland ducts or hair follicle openings.

research Reflectance Confocal Microscopy of the Yellow Dot Pattern in Alopecia Areata

39 citations , January 2011 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that the yellow dot pattern observed in dermoscopy of alopecia areata corresponds to inefficient follicular structures containing hair remnants, as corroborated by reflectance confocal microscopy and pathological findings.

research Weathering of the Hairless Scalp: A Study Using Skin Capacitance Imaging and Ultraviolet Light-Enhanced Visualization

19 citations , July 2009 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This article discusses how the balding scalp's exposure to UV and near-infrared light may accelerate aging, with changes detectable under ultraviolet light; it presents no new clinical findings.

research Does Topical Minoxidil Increase Skin Blood Flow? A Laser Doppler Flowmetry Study

6 citations , January 1988 in “PubMed”

In this study, no changes in cutaneous blood flow were observed after applying 2%, 5%, or placebo minoxidil lotion in both androgenetic alopecia and healthy male volunteers.

Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography

research Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography

137 citations , May 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil increases blood flow in balding scalps, possibly reversing hair loss.