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. 2023 Nov;16(11):26-30.

Intralesional Pentoxifylline Injection Versus Triamcinolone Acetonide in Treating localized Alopecia Areata: A Comparative Study

Hamed Mohamed Abdo  1 , Emad M Elrewiny  1 , Ahmed Shawky  1 , Amr Mohammad Ammar  1 , Ahmed Mohammed Atef  1 , Mahmoud A Rageh  1
Affiliations

Intralesional Pentoxifylline Injection Versus Triamcinolone Acetonide in Treating localized Alopecia Areata: A Comparative Study

Hamed Mohamed Abdo et al. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2023 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of potentially reversible non-scarring hair disorder characterized by limited patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), loss of all scalp hair (alopecia totalis), or all body hair (alopecia universalis). Several lines of treatment have been used with variable outcomes. We aimed to compare the efficacy of intralesional pentoxifylline (PTX) and triamcinolone acetonide (TRA) injection in the treatment of alopecia areata.

Methods: Our study included 60 patients with localized AA recruited from the Dermatology Outpatient Clinics of Al-Azhar University Hospitals. Patients were divided into two groups of alopecia areata patches; Group A who received intralesional TRA injections while Group B received intralesional PTX.

Results: The study showed that both modalities are effective in treating AA and each modality has its own advantages. According to the response, patients were grouped into three categories: partial response (0-33% terminal hair regrowth), moderate response (33-66% terminal hair regrowth), and high response (66-100% terminal hair regrowth). The high response after use of the PTX was found in 50 percent of patients. The high response was observed in 46.6 percent of patients treated with TRA.

Limitations: Small sample size and short follow-up period.

Conclusion: This study showed that intralesional injection of PTX seems to be effective and safe treatment for localized AA and could be used as a good alternative to triamcinolone acetonide.

Keywords: Alopecia areata; hair loss; pentoxifylline; triamcinolone acetonide.

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Conflict of interest statement

DISCLOSURES: The authors report no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
A patient with a localized area of AA affecting the temporal area of the scalp (a) before treatment and (b) after four sessions of TRA. Dermoscopy of the affected area (c) before treatment and (d) after TRA sessions.
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2.
A patient with a localized area of AA affecting the occipital area of the scalp (a) before treatment and (b) after five sessions of TRA. Dermoscopy of the affected areas (c) before treatment and (d) after TRA sessions.
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 3.
A patient with a localized area of AA affecting the frontal area of the scalp (a) before treatment and (b) after four sessions of PTX. Dermoscopy of the affected areas (c) before treatment and (d) after PTX sessions.
FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 4.
A patient with a localized area of AA affecting the occipital area of the scalp (a) before treatment and (b) after five sessions of PTX. Dermoscopy of the affected areas (c) before treatment and (d) after PTX sessions.
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