Histopathologic features of alopecia areata: a new look.

Background: A peribulbar lymphocytic infiltrate is the expected histologic feature of alopecia areata, but it is absent in many scalp biopsy specimens. Other diagnostic criteria are needed.

Objective: To establish the histologic features of alopecia areata in scalp biopsy specimens taken from different types of alopecia areata, using follicular counts to relate biopsy findings to stages of the disease.

Possible mechanisms of miniaturization during androgenetic alopecia or pattern hair loss.

In androgenetic alopecia, or pattern hair loss, follicles undergo miniaturization, shrinking from terminal to vellus-like hairs. Traditionally, this process is thought to progress gradually over a number of follicular cycles. However, it is unlikely that miniaturization can be explained only by a series of progressively shorter anagen cycles.

Measuring reversal of hair miniaturization in androgenetic alopecia by follicular counts in horizontal sections of serial scalp biopsies: results of finasteride 1 mg treatment of men and postmenopausal women.

Hair regrowth was evaluated by histologic analysis in men and women treated for androgenetic alopecia, by counting follicles in horizontal sections of scalp biopsies. Serial 4mm punch biopsies were taken at baseline and after 12mo of treatment from the transitional area of hair thinning between normal hair and vertex balding in men, and in an area of frontal/parietal thinning in women. Horizontal sections of reticular and papillary dermis were read by one observer, blinded to patient, treatment, and time.

Posttransplant epidermoid cysts secondary to small graft hair transplantation.

Background: Epidermoid cysts sometimes result from small-graft hair transplantation. Although hair transplant surgeons are aware of this complication, it has not been reported to date.

Objective: Our purpose is to report the clinical and histological features of posttransplant epidermoid cysts.

The treatment of alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata has an unpredictable course that is not easily altered by treatment. Different treatments will provoke regrowth of terminal hair to a variable extent but may not prevent further hair loss. Corticosteroids are the most popular form of treatment and can be given topically, intralesionally, or, in rare cases, systemically; they work best by intralesional injection of long-acting steroid suspensions.