Clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic characterization of lichen planopilaris and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: A comparative study of 51 cases.

Background: The purpose of the study was to compare the histopathologic and immunophenotypic features of central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) and lichen planopilaris (LPP) to better characterize and differentiate these two clinical entities. CCCA remains an ill-defined and still-unsettled histologic entity and many hair loss experts regard CCCA to be histologically indistinguishable from LPP. Given the overlapping histologic features of these two lymphocyte-predominant cicatricial alopecias, and the lack of consensus regarding the significance of proposed distinctions, dermatopathologists face difficulty in providing clinicians and patients certainty with a definitive diagnosis of CCCA vs LPP.

The effectiveness of grenz ray therapy for chronic dermatoses of the hands and feet.

Background: Grenz ray therapy (GRT) has been used for inflammatory and neoplastic dermatologic diseases for over 100 years. Its use is declining, possibly because of the difficulties maintaining radiation certification and insurance coverage.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of GRT in chronic inflammatory dermatoses of the hands and feet.