The Role of Trichoscopy Beyond Hair and Scalp Diseases: A Review

March 2023 in “ Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ”

Lidia Rudnicka, Sylwia Chrostowska, Mateusz Kamiński, Anna Waśkiel‐Burnat, Agnieszka Michalczyk, Adriana Rakowska, Małgorzata Olszewska

trichoscopy systemic lupus erythematosus systemic sclerosis dermatomyositis cutaneous T-cell lymphomas cutaneous B-cell lymphomas syphilitic alopecia

Studysummary This review discusses the use of trichoscopy for diagnosing systemic diseases and concludes that certain trichoscopic features may help dermatologists suspect these conditions.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This review article explores the expanded role of trichoscopy, a diagnostic tool traditionally used for hair and scalp diseases, in identifying features associated with systemic disorders that do not typically affect the scalp. The study highlights trichoscopic features of various systemic diseases, such as connective tissue diseases, cutaneous lymphomas, multiple myeloma, angiosarcomas, and syphilitic alopecia. For instance, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and dermatomyositis are associated with thick arborizing and tortuous vessels, while systemic sclerosis also shows avascular areas. Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas may present spermatozoa-like vessels, and cutaneous B-cell lymphomas may show salmon-colored areas with arborizing vessels. The article concludes that dermatologists can use trichoscopic findings to suspect certain systemic diseases, thus broadening the diagnostic utility of trichoscopy beyond traditional hair and scalp conditions.

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Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research Trichoscopy in Alopecia Areata

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This study reviews the use of trichoscopy in diagnosing and monitoring alopecia areata, highlighting that certain trichoscopic findings like yellow and black dots, exclamation mark hairs, and others, provide valuable insights into disease status and treatment response.

research Dermoscopy and Trichoscopy in Dermatomyositis: A Cross-Sectional Study

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This study observed that videodermoscopic assessments of dermatomyositis patients revealed specific vascular and pigmentary features, suggesting it may be useful for preliminary diagnosis.

research Trichoscopic Signs in Dermatomyositis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and Systemic Sclerosis: A Comparative Study of 150 Patients

12 citations , December 2021 in “Dermatology”

This study found that trichoscopy can differentiate between dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis by identifying distinctive features and may help assess disease activity.

research Diagnostic Accuracy of Trichoscopy in Trichotillomania: A Systematic Review

8 citations , June 2021 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

This systematic review concludes that trichoscopy is a reliable diagnostic tool for trichotillomania and should be incorporated into standard clinical practice for differential diagnosis.

research Breast Cancer-Related Neoplastic Alopecia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

3 citations , January 2021 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This review highlights the importance of recognizing neoplastic alopecia as a potential indicator of underlying metastatic neoplasia, as it may be mistaken for other scalp conditions like alopecia areata.

research Common Causes of Hair Loss: Clinical Manifestations, Trichoscopy, and Therapy

47 citations , December 2020 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This article reviews the classification, diagnosis, and management of hair disorders, emphasizing the role of trichoscopy and early diagnosis for effective treatment but reports no new clinical findings.

research Diffuse Variants of Scalp Lichen Planopilaris: Clinical, Trichoscopic, and Histopathologic Features of 40 Patients

35 citations , November 2019 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study reviewed 40 patients with scalp symptoms and identified a new variant of diffuse lichen planopilaris in 20 individuals, suggesting these conditions should be considered in similar cases.

research Nonscarring Alopecia in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cross-Sectional Study with Trichoscopic, Histopathologic, and Immunopathologic Analyses

39 citations , May 2019 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that nonscarring alopecia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus may indicate higher disease activity, as evidenced by specific histological and immunofluorescence changes.

Characteristics Associated with Significantly Worse Quality of Life in Mycosis Fungoides/Sézary Syndrome from the Prospective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) Study

research Characteristics Associated with Significantly Worse Quality of Life in Mycosis Fungoides/Sézary Syndrome from the Prospective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) Study

67 citations , May 2019 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, newly diagnosed women with mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome and those with alopecia experienced significantly poorer health-related quality of life.

research Trichoscopic Signs in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Comparative Study with 109 Patients and 305 Healthy Controls

29 citations , January 2019 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This study found that trichoscopic examination is useful for diagnosing and monitoring systemic lupus erythematosus, with severe diffuse non-scarring alopecia indicating active disease.

research Scalp Sarcoidosis Presenting as Cicatricial Alopecia

3 citations , November 2018 in “Journal of osteopathic medicine”

This case study describes a 64-year-old woman with sarcoidosis who experienced scalp alopecia and hypopigmented patches, which improved with topical clobetasol propionate.

research Hair and Scalp Changes in Cutaneous and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

46 citations , June 2018 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This review summarizes the clinical, trichoscopic, and histopathological features of alopecia types associated with cutaneous and systemic lupus erythematosus and explores their links to disease activity, but it reports no new clinical results.

Alopecia Neoplastica Due to Gastric Adenocarcinoma Metastasis to the Scalp, Presenting as Alopecia: A Case Report and Literature Review

research Alopecia Neoplastica Due to Gastric Adenocarcinoma Metastasis to the Scalp, Presenting as Alopecia: A Case Report and Literature Review

26 citations , January 2014 in “Annals of Dermatology”

This report describes a 33-year-old woman who developed alopecia neoplastica due to gastric adenocarcinoma, highlighting the role of tumor invasion in hair follicle atrophy.

research Alopecia Universalis Associated with Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma

15 citations , January 2014 in “Dermatology”

This case report describes alopecia universalis-like hair loss occurring in two patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma, providing clinical, dermoscopic, and pathologic features to help differentiate it from alopecia areata universalis.

research Trichoscopy Update 2011

178 citations , December 2011 in “Journal of Dermatological Case Reports”

This review discusses the application of trichoscopy in diagnosing various hair and scalp diseases and reports no new clinical results; the authors emphasize its role as a non-invasive diagnostic tool.