Histopathological Evidence of Occipital Involvement in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

November 2021 in “ Frontiers in Medicine ”

Saranya Khunkhet, Kumutnart Chanprapaph, Suthinee Rutnin, Poonkiat Suchonwanit

androgenetic alopecia AGA occipital scalp terminal hair follicles follicular stelae Hamilton-Norwood scale terminal to vellus hair ratio miniaturized hairs hair transplantation male pattern baldness donor site

TLDR Advanced male pattern baldness affects the back of the scalp, reducing hair follicles.

This study found significant histopathological changes in the occipital scalp of men with advanced androgenetic alopecia (AGA), including a reduction in total and terminal hair follicles and an increase in follicular stelae. The changes were more pronounced in patients with severe AGA (Hamilton-Norwood VI-VII). The occipital scalp showed a unique pattern of hair loss, with a 25% reduction in total follicles and a decrease in the terminal to vellus hair ratio. These findings suggest that the occipital region is affected by AGA in advanced stages, and preoperative assessments of miniaturized hairs in the donor site are recommended for hair transplantation candidates. The study's limitations include a lack of ethnic diversity among participants.

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