Videodermoscopy: a useful tool for diagnosing congenital triangular alopecia

Pediatr Dermatol. 2008 Nov-Dec;25(6):652-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2008.00811.x.

Abstract

Congenital triangular alopecia, despite its name, usually presents in children between 3 and 6 years of age, but adult patients have been reported. It is not uncommon for triangular alopecia to be misdiagnosed as alopecia areata and treated for such. This is especially true when a lesion of triangular alopecia presents in an area of the scalp other than the typical fronto-temporal hairline or later in adulthood. Videodermoscopy may serve as a useful tool to perform the right diagnosis as it can highlight signs not seen by the unaided eye and may be able to spare the patient from a biopsy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alopecia / congenital*
  • Alopecia / pathology*
  • Alopecia Areata / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dermoscopy*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Video*