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. 2013 Jul;5(3):151-3.
doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.125616.

Perifollicular erythema as a trichoscopy sign of progression in frontal fibrosing alopecia

Tomás Toledo-Pastrana  1 , María Jasé García Hernández  2 , Francisco M Camacho Martínez  1
Affiliations

Perifollicular erythema as a trichoscopy sign of progression in frontal fibrosing alopecia

Tomás Toledo-Pastrana et al. Int J Trichology. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Introduction: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) in an entity characterized by the recession of the frontotemporal hairline (FTHL) with alopecic scarring change. In recent years there are numerous articles discussing the usefulness of dermoscopy for the clinical diagnosis of different types of scarring alopecia.

Materials and methods: We value 79 patients diagnosed with FFA, evaluating some trichoscopical findings described as typical for FFA: Absence of follicular opening, follicular hyperkeratosis, follicular plugs and erythema.

Results: In a population of 79 women, 100% showed no follicular opening, 72.1% follicular hyperkeratosis, 66.3% perifollicular erythema and 44.8% follicular plugs. Thus, 100% of patients had at least one of the dermoscopic elements described as suggestive of FFA, 53% two of them, 45% three and 27%, all those elements. Perifollicular erythema was present in 95% of cases in which the disease was active.

Conclusions: We consider that the presence of perifollicular erythema will be a direct marker of FFA activity.

Keywords: Dermoscopy; diagnosis; frontal fibrosing alopecia; pattern.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Trichoscopical findings in frontal fibrosing alopecia include absence of follicular openings (star), perifollicular hyperkeratosis (white arrow) and perifollicular erythema (black arrow). Perifollicular hyperkeratosis is better appreciated with the use of polarized dry dermoscopy. Broken hair shafts and pili torti can be seen occasionally too
Figure 2
Figure 2
Perifollicular erythema is a characteristic feature of frontal fibrosing alopecia (black arrow)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Perifollicular erythema (black arrow) it is not always evident on trichoscopy since it is an evolutive sign that is followed by interfollicular erythema (area delimited by white stars)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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