BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata incognita is a variety of alopecia areata characterized by acute diffuse shedding of telogen hairs without typical patches. OBJECTIVE: We sought to report the clinical, pathological, and dermoscopic features of alopecia areata incognita. METHODS: Seventy patients with alopecia areata incognita were evaluated clinically and with videodermoscopy during the period of 2002 to 2006. Pathology was performed in 50 patients. RESULTS: The presence of numerous, diffuse, round or polycyclic yellow dots, different in size and uniform in color and distribution, was a typical dermoscopic feature in all patients. Short regrowing hairs were also present. The dermoscopic findings were correlated and supported by the histologic features of the scalp specimens. LIMITATIONS: Scalp biopsy was performed only in 50 patients. CONCLUSION: Videodermoscopy is a first step before performing a biopsy. It can help the clinician to find the right place to take the sample, but can also avoid unnecessary biopsies.
BACKGROUND:Alopecia areata incognita is a variety of alopecia areata characterized by acute diffuse shedding of telogen hairs without typical patches. OBJECTIVE: We sought to report the clinical, pathological, and dermoscopic features of alopecia areata incognita. METHODS: Seventy patients with alopecia areata incognita were evaluated clinically and with videodermoscopy during the period of 2002 to 2006. Pathology was performed in 50 patients. RESULTS: The presence of numerous, diffuse, round or polycyclic yellow dots, different in size and uniform in color and distribution, was a typical dermoscopic feature in all patients. Short regrowing hairs were also present. The dermoscopic findings were correlated and supported by the histologic features of the scalp specimens. LIMITATIONS: Scalp biopsy was performed only in 50 patients. CONCLUSION: Videodermoscopy is a first step before performing a biopsy. It can help the clinician to find the right place to take the sample, but can also avoid unnecessary biopsies.