Trichoscopic Features of Scalp Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Versus Lichen Planopilaris: A Systematic Review

April 2024 in “ Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology ”

Shreya K Gowda, Enzo Errichetti, Vishal Thakur, Maitreyee Panda, Siddhartha Dash, Akash Agarwal, Madhusmita Sethy, Pavithra Ayyanar, Biswanath Behera

trichoscopy scalp Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Lichen Planopilaris dermoscopy histopathological findings

TLDR Trichoscopy helps distinguish between scalp Discoid Lupus Erythematosus and Lichen Planopilaris for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

This systematic review compares trichoscopic features of scalp discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and lichen planopilaris (LPP) to aid in their differentiation. The analysis included 36 articles (17 on LPP and 19 on DLE). Key findings include the presence of follicular red dots and yellow follicular plugs in DLE, while fibrotic white dots and perifollicular tubular casts are more common in LPP. Perifollicular scales and interfollicular white scales are significantly higher in DLE. Blood vessel patterns, such as arborizing and dotted vessels, are more prominent in DLE. Hair shaft features like black dots and hair diameter variability are associated with DLE, whereas the "lonely hair sign" and regrowing hairs are indicative of LPP. These trichoscopic distinctions can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management for these scarring alopecias.

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research Epidemiological, Clinical, Trichoscopic, and Histopathological Features of Lupus Erythematosus Mimicking Alopecia Areata: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

1 citations , January 2022 in “Skin Appendage Disorders”

Lupus erythematosus can mimic alopecia areata, and trichoscopy is key for accurate diagnosis and better patient outcomes.

Clinical Characteristics, Trichoscopy, Histopathology, and Treatment Outcomes of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia in an Asian Population: A Retro-Prospective Cohort Study

research Clinical Characteristics, Trichoscopy, Histopathology, and Treatment Outcomes of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia in an Asian Population: A Retro-Prospective Cohort Study

9 citations , July 2020 in “Journal of Dermatology”

Asian patients with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia often lose eyebrow hair and respond well to combined antiandrogen or antimalarial and topical treatments.

research Trichoscopic Findings of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

1 citations , July 2020 in “Benha Journal of Applied Sciences”

Trichoscopy is useful for diagnosing Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia.

research Trichoscopic Findings of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Alopecia: A Cross-Sectional Study

15 citations , June 2020 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Shiny white structures in trichoscopy can indicate long-standing discoid lupus erythematosus alopecia.

research Hair Loss in Lichen Planopilaris and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Not Always Irreversible

9 citations , January 2020 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Hair loss from conditions like LPP and FFA can potentially be reversed with the right treatment.

research Dermoscopic Features of Lichen Planopilaris in Northern Iran: A Prospective Observational Study

3 citations , August 2019 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Dermoscopy is useful for diagnosing lichen planopilaris and certain features may relate to disease duration, age, and gender.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Case Series of 65 Patients Seen in a Single Italian Centre

23 citations , November 2018 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

The study concluded that severity of Frontal fibrosing alopecia is not linked to how long someone has it, can start before menopause, and eyebrow loss may be an early sign.

research White And Yellow Dots As New Trichoscopic Signs Of Severe Female Androgenetic Alopecia In Dark Skin Phototypes

9 citations , July 2018 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

White and yellow dots indicate severe female hair loss in dark skin.

research Coexistence of Chronic Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

12 citations , March 2018 in “Anais brasileiros de dermatologia/Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

A patient had both chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus and frontal fibrosing alopecia.

research Validity of Trichoscopy in the Diagnosis of Primary Cicatricial Alopecias

34 citations , April 2016 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Trichoscopy is a useful method for identifying primary cicatricial alopecias and their specific types.

research Relevance of Trichoscopy in the Differential Diagnosis of Alopecia: A Cross-Sectional Study from North India

38 citations , January 2016 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

Trichoscopy is useful for diagnosing different types of hair loss.

research Isolated Body Hair Loss: An Unusual Presentation of Lichen Planopilaris

6 citations , January 2016 in “Skin appendage disorders”

A man with rare Lichen Planopilaris lost body hair, not scalp hair, and treatment stopped itching but didn't regrow hair.

research Dermoscopy of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus: Report of Two Cases

13 citations , July 2014 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

Dermoscopy helped diagnose discoid lupus erythematosus in two patients without needing skin biopsies.

research Clinical Features of Primary Cicatricial Alopecia in Chinese Patients

28 citations , January 2014 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

Chinese patients with primary cicatricial alopecia often have folliculitis decalvans, benefit from treatment, but may experience relapse, with dermoscopy being a useful diagnostic tool.

A Nonrandomized Study of Trichoscopy Patterns Using Nonpolarized (Contact) and Polarized (Noncontact) Dermatoscopy in Hair and Shaft Disorders

research A Nonrandomized Study of Trichoscopy Patterns Using Nonpolarized (Contact) and Polarized (Noncontact) Dermatoscopy in Hair and Shaft Disorders

34 citations , January 2014 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Polarized dermoscopy is slightly better than nonpolarized for diagnosing hair disorders, with each method having its own strengths.

research Dermoscopic Approach to a Small Round to Oval Hairless Patch on the Scalp

41 citations , January 2014 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Dermoscopic examination helps diagnose different types of hair loss conditions by showing specific patterns.

research Trichoscopy in Alopecias: Diagnosis Simplified

96 citations , January 2013 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Trichoscopy is a useful, non-invasive way to diagnose different types of hair loss.

Dermoscopy-Guided Scalp Biopsy in Cicatricial Alopecia