Scarring Alopecias: Pathology and an Update on Digital Developments

November 2021 in “ Biomedicines ”

Donna M. Cummins, Iskander H. Chaudhry, Matthew Harries

Studysummary This review discusses the challenges in diagnosing primary cicatricial alopecias and explores how improved communication and digital pathology could enhance diagnosis, but it reports no new clinical results.

Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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research Alopecia as a Systemic Disease

7 citations , July 2019 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

This review discusses various systemic diseases associated with secondary alopecia and reports no new clinical findings; it emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying conditions and using diagnostic tools like trichoscopy and histopathology.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Identifies Four Susceptibility Loci Including HLA-B*07:02

115 citations , March 2019 in “Nature Communications”

This study identified significant genetic associations with frontal fibrosing alopecia at four genomic loci, suggesting it is a genetically predisposed immuno-inflammatory disorder influenced by the HLA-B*07: 02 allele.

Premature Desquamation of the Inner Root Sheath in Noninflamed Hair Follicles as a Specific Marker for Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

research Premature Desquamation of the Inner Root Sheath in Noninflamed Hair Follicles as a Specific Marker for Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

6 citations , December 2018 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology”

This study found that the presence of premature desquamation of the inner root sheath in noninflamed hair follicles is a relatively specific marker for diagnosing central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia.

research Lichen Planopilaris and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia as Model Epithelial Stem Cell Diseases

80 citations , April 2018 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine”

This review discusses the roles of interferon-γ and PPAR-γ-mediated signalling in scarring alopecia, suggesting these pathways as potential therapeutic targets, but it reports no new empirical results.

research Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transition In A Human Organ: Lessons From Lichen Planopilaris

71 citations , October 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

PPAR-γ agonists like pioglitazone may help manage lichen planopilaris but don't fully reverse scarring.

research Primary Scalp Alopecia: New Histopathological Tools, New Concepts, and a Practical Guide to Diagnosis

14 citations , September 2016 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

This review discusses the classification and diagnosis of primary scalp alopecia, focusing on scarring and non-scarring types, and reports no new clinical results; it emphasizes simplified diagnostic pathways and tissue processing techniques.

research Skin Biopsy

106 citations , December 2015 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews common pitfalls in biopsy site selection and technique that can lead to misdiagnosis of various skin conditions, highlighting the importance of proper biopsy practices for improving diagnostic accuracy.

research Pathologic Diagnosis of Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia on Horizontal Sections

29 citations , September 2014 in “American Journal of Dermatopathology”

This study found that horizontal sections of scalp biopsies in patients with Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia often reveal follicular miniaturization, inflammation, and scarring, which can guide personalized treatment.

research Elastin Staining Patterns in Primary Cicatricial Alopecia

30 citations , November 2013 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study reported that patterns of fibrosis identified through elastin staining may help distinguish specific forms of primary cicatricial alopecia in biopsy specimens, with certain patterns suggesting particular diagnoses.

research Absence of Vellus Hair in the Hairline: A Videodermatoscopic Feature of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

33 citations , August 2013 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Lack of small, fine hair on the front hairline is a key sign of frontal fibrosing alopecia.

research Lichen Planopilaris Is Characterized By Immune Privilege Collapse Of The Hair Follicle's Epithelial Stem Cell Niche

220 citations , June 2013 in “The Journal of Pathology”

This study found that immune privilege collapse in the hair follicle bulge and associated immune responses may contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of lichen planopilaris, suggesting a potential autoimmune basis for the disease.

research Dermoscopy-Guided Scalp Biopsy in Cicatricial Alopecia

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

This study found that dermoscopy-guided scalp biopsies provided a definitive pathological diagnosis in 95% of patients with cicatricial alopecia.

research The Pathogenesis of Primary Cicatricial Alopecias

150 citations , October 2010 in “The American Journal of Pathology”

This review discusses the pathogenesis and challenges in treating primary cicatricial alopecia, highlighting the need to understand immune protection collapse in hair follicle stem cells; it reports no new clinical results.

research Involvement of Scalp and Nails in Lupus Erythematosus

44 citations , August 2010 in “Lupus”

This article reviews the characteristics and classification criteria of cutaneous lupus erythematosus and reports no new clinical findings.

research Histopathology of Alopecia: A Clinicopathological Approach to Diagnosis

170 citations , December 2009 in “Histopathology”

This review discusses the histopathological diagnosis of scarring and non-scarring alopecias, emphasizing the importance of adequate tissue sampling and clinical information; it reports no new empirical results.

research Does Collapse of Immune Privilege in the Hair-Follicle Bulge Play a Role in the Pathogenesis of Primary Cicatricial Alopecia?

39 citations , November 2009 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This study reports that in primary cicatricial alopecias, increased expression of certain immune markers in the hair-follicle bulge suggests a collapse of immune privilege, which may contribute to follicle destruction.

research Diagnosis and Management of Primary Cicatricial Alopecia: Part II

32 citations , March 2008 in “SKINmed Dermatology for the Clinician”

This review examines the clinical features, histology, and treatment options for various neutrophilic and mixed primary cicatricial alopecias, but presents no new data.

research Histopathologic Evaluation of Alopecias

90 citations , June 2006 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology”

This review outlines the classification, histopathologic presentation, and pathogenetic concepts of scarring and nonscarring alopecias, reporting no new clinical results and emphasizing the need for clinicopathologic correlation.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Versus Lichen Planopilaris: A Clinicopathological Study

126 citations , April 2006 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planopilaris have similar histopathological features, but FFA exhibits more prominent apoptosis and less inflammation with spared interfollicular epidermis.

research Stem Cells in the Hair Follicle Bulge Contribute to Wound Repair but Not to Homeostasis of the Epidermis

1279 citations , November 2005 in “Nature Medicine”

research A Comparison of Vertical Versus Transverse Sections in the Evaluation of Alopecia Biopsy Specimens

56 citations , July 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that vertical sections of alopecia biopsy specimens had a higher concordance rate with the original combined diagnosis compared to transverse sections alone, although both methods have their pros and cons.

research The Reliability of Horizontally Sectioned Scalp Biopsies in the Diagnosis of Chronic Diffuse Telogen Hair Loss in Women

137 citations , July 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study observed that triple horizontal scalp biopsies provided a more accurate diagnosis of female pattern hair loss in women than a single horizontal biopsy, especially for those with advanced hair loss.

research Primary Cicatricial Alopecias: Clinicopathology of 112 Cases

254 citations , December 2003 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study reviewed the epidemiology and treatment of inflammatory cicatricial alopecias and highlighted the importance of scalp biopsies for accurate diagnosis in a mixed ethnic population at a university hair clinic.

research Elastic Tissue in Scars and Alopecia

80 citations , March 2000 in “Journal of cutaneous pathology”

This study found that the Verhoeff-Van Gieson stain effectively distinguishes scarred from non-scarred dermis and aids in classifying types of permanent alopecia based on elastic tissue patterns.

research Vertical and Transverse Sections of Alopecia Biopsy Specimens: Combining the Two to Maximize Diagnostic Yield

71 citations , March 1995 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study concluded that combining vertical and transverse sections of scalp biopsy specimens improves diagnostic yield for certain hair disorders without increasing costs.