Scarring Alopecias: Pathology and an Update on Digital Developments.

Biomedicines

The Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal Hospital, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M6 8HD, UK.

Published: November 2021

AI Article Synopsis

  • Primary cicatricial alopecias (PCA) are complex disorders that lead to permanent hair loss due to damage to hair follicles, making scalp biopsies crucial for diagnosis.
  • Challenges in PCA diagnosis include histopathologic interpretation difficulties, caused by poor sampling and lab techniques, but effective communication among clinicians, labs, and histopathologists can help.
  • Advances in digital pathology and AI present opportunities to improve diagnosis, streamline work processes, and enhance education in managing these hair loss conditions.

Article Abstract

Primary cicatricial alopecias (PCA) represent a challenging group of disorders that result in irreversible hair loss from the destruction and fibrosis of hair follicles. Scalp skin biopsies are considered essential in investigating these conditions. Unfortunately, the recognised complexity of histopathologic interpretation is compounded by inadequate sampling and inappropriate laboratory processing. By sharing our successes in developing the communication pathway between the clinician, laboratory and histopathologist, we hope to mitigate some of the difficulties that can arise in managing these conditions. We provide insight from clinical and pathology practice into how diagnoses are derived and the key histological features observed across the most common PCAs seen in practice. Additionally, we highlight the opportunities that have emerged with advances in digital pathology and how these technologies may be used to develop clinicopathological relationships, improve working practices, enhance remote learning, reduce inefficiencies, optimise diagnostic yield, and harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8698437PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9121755DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

scarring alopecias
4
alopecias pathology
4
pathology update
4
update digital
4
digital developments
4
developments primary
4
primary cicatricial
4
cicatricial alopecias
4
alopecias pca
4
pca represent
4

Similar Publications

Alopecia encompasses diverse conditions that vary by etiology, progression, and clinical presentation, including androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and scarring alopecias such as lichen planopilaris and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. Managing these conditions requires tailored therapeutic approaches, with topical treatments emerging as effective first-line interventions. This literature review examines topical therapies across alopecia types, assessing mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and safety profiles to guide evidence-based clinical practice.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles derived from various cell types and tissues that have many potential applications, generating great interest from researchers. One particularly intriguing application of exosomes is their use as a direct therapeutic for aesthetic indications. Several studies and case reports have explored the impact of exosomes for numerous cosmetic concerns but a consensus on the outcomes of these studies has not been established.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus scarring alopecia with deucravacitinib: A case report.

SAGE Open Med Case Rep

January 2025

Division of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Discoid lupus erythematosus is a chronic, recurring, autoimmune skin disease causing annular, scarring plaques on the head and neck. Deucravacitinib, a tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor in the Janus kinase inhibitor family, represents an emerging treatment option in systemic lupus erythematosus with potential applicability to discoid lupus erythematosus. We describe a 48-year-old woman with multiple treatment-refractory scalp plaques and associated alopecia treated with deucravacitinib.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Application of Ultraviolet-Induced Fluorescence Trichoscopy (UVFT) in Hair and Scalp Diseases.

Dermatol Ther (Heidelb)

January 2025

Department of Dermatology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, Rzeszow, Poland.

Introduction: Ultraviolet-induced fluorescence dermoscopy (UVFD) is increasingly utilized in dermatooncology and general dermatology. The objective of the study was to characterize the ultraviolet-induced fluorescence trichoscopy (UVFT) findings in a wide range of hair and scalp conditions.

Methods: Consecutive patients with non-scarring alopecias (alopecia areata, AA, n = 40; androgenetic alopecia, AGA, n = 40), scarring alopecias (frontal fibrosing alopecia, FFA, n = 20; lichen planopilaris, LPP, n = 20; folliculitis decalvans, FD, n = 14; discoid lupus erythematosus, DLE, n = 23), and inflammatory scalp conditions (psoriasis, n = 30; seborrheic dermatitis, n = 14) were included.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Alopecia Areata (AA) is a complex autoimmune condition characterized by long-term inflammatory non-scarring patches of hair loss on the face, scalp, and body. Its development involves a combination of genetic, immunological, and environmental factors, making it challenging to understand and treat. This study aims to assess the awareness, beliefs, and psychological impact of patients with Alopecia Areata.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!