E Kowalska-Oledzka1, M Slowinska, A Rakowska, J Czuwara, J Sicinska, M Olszewska, L Rudnicka.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: 'Black dots' are macrocomedo-like round structures localized to the follicular ostium, and are considered a specific trichoscopic feature of alopecia areata (AA). AIM: To characterize specific features of 'black dots', and assess their possible presence in common hair and scalp disorders.
METHODS: In total, 107 patients with hair loss [30 with alopecia areata (AA), 37 with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), 17 with chronic telogen effluvium (TE), 23 with other hair and scalp diseases] and 93 healthy controls were examined, using a videodermoscope with 20-70 times magnification.
RESULTS: There was a correlation between the black dots and the early acute phase of the various alopecia types with the presence of the black dots. Black dots were found in 11% (22/107) of patients with hair loss, including 53.3% (16/30) with AA; in 40% (2/5) of patients with severe chemotherapy-induced alopecia, and in 100% of patients with dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (n = 2), hypotrichosis simplex (n = 1), and congenital aplasia cutis (n = 1). No black dots were seen in patients with AGA or TE.
CONCLUSIONS: Black dots are not specific for AA, and may be present in other hair and scalp diseases. © The Author(s). CED
BACKGROUND: 'Black dots' are macrocomedo-like round structures localized to the follicular ostium, and are considered a specific trichoscopic feature of alopecia areata (AA). AIM: To characterize specific features of 'black dots', and assess their possible presence in common hair and scalp disorders.
METHODS: In total, 107 patients with hair loss [30 with alopecia areata (AA), 37 with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), 17 with chronic telogen effluvium (TE), 23 with other hair and scalp diseases] and 93 healthy controls were examined, using a videodermoscope with 20-70 times magnification.
RESULTS: There was a correlation between the black dots and the early acute phase of the various alopecia types with the presence of the black dots. Black dots were found in 11% (22/107) of patients with hair loss, including 53.3% (16/30) with AA; in 40% (2/5) of patients with severe chemotherapy-induced alopecia, and in 100% of patients with dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (n = 2), hypotrichosis simplex (n = 1), and congenital aplasia cutis (n = 1). No black dots were seen in patients with AGA or TE.
CONCLUSIONS: Black dots are not specific for AA, and may be present in other hair and scalp diseases. © The Author(s). CED
© 2012 British Association of Dermatologists.
Entities:
Mesh：
Year: 2012
PMID： 22681306 DOI： 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2012.04401.x
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Clin Exp Dermatol ISSN： 0307-6938 Impact factor: 3.470