2008/07/07 by Adriana Rakowska, Monika Słowińska, Elżbieta Kowalska-Olędzka +1 · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Cancer and Skin Lesions #Hair Growth and Disorders #Skin and Cellular Biology Research
paper · doi:10.3315/jdcr.2008.1009
openalex publication_date 2008/07/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of hair shaft abnormalities is based on light microscopic examination of more than 50 plucked hairs. The aim of this study was to verify whether hair shaft abnormalities may be visualized by trichoscopy (hair and scalp videodermoscopy) and to analyze trichoscopic features of common genetic hair shaft dysplasias. METHOD: Patients with known genetic hair shaft disorders were included into the study. Trichoscopy was performed with the use of Fotofinder II videodermoscope. Images performed at 20-fold and 70-fold magnification were analysed. In selected cases 160-fold magnification was used for better visualization of hair shafts. RESULTS: Our results show that characteristic light microscopy features of Netherton syndrome, monilethrix, woolly hair syndrome, pili torti, pili annulati and trichothiodystrophy may be visualized by trichoscopy. CONCLUSION: Genetic hair shaft abnormalities may be diagnosed by trichoscopy in a single diagnostic session without the need of plucking or cutting them for diagnostic purposes.