Abstract | BACKGROUND: Most biopsy specimens of cicatricial ( scarring) alopecia can be readily subclassified as lymphocytic versus neutrophilic, but specific diagnosis remains difficult, particularly when a late stage of the disease is sampled. OBJECTIVE: We sought to document patterns of scarring highlighted by elastic tissue staining in primary cicatricial alopecia. METHODS: RESULTS: LIMITATIONS: The retrospective nature of the study precluded temporal staging of the disease process. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of fibrosis highlighted by elastin staining in primary cicatricial alopecia appear to be disease specific. Superficial wedge-shaped perifollicular fibrosis is associated with but may not be specific for lichen planopilaris. Broad tree trunk-like perifollicular fibrosis is specific for CCCA but not present in many cases. Elastin staining represents a useful ancillary study for the evaluation of late-stage scarring alopecia in routinely oriented punch biopsy specimens.
|
Authors | Maxwell A Fung, Victoria R Sharon, Mondhipa Ratnarathorn, Thomas H Konia, Keira L Barr, Paradi Mirmirani |
Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
(J Am Acad Dermatol)
Vol. 69
Issue 5
Pg. 776-782
(Nov 2013)
ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 24035210
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Copyright | Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Alopecia
(pathology)
- Elastic Tissue
(pathology)
- Elastin
(analysis)
- Female
- Fibrosis
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Retrospective Studies
- Scalp
(pathology)
- Staining and Labeling
|