Histopathologic diagnosis of multifactorial alopecia

Authors

Wendi E. Wohltmann, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium
Leonard Sperling, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

J Cutan Pathol 2016; 43: 483–491.

Comments

U.S. Government Work

Abstract

Establishing a definitive diagnosis for any form of alopecia can be challenging. Adding to the diagnostic complexity is the fact that many patients have more than one form of alopecia contributing to their hair loss. We conducted a review of 1360 consecutive scalp biopsy specimens submitted for the evaluation of scalp hair loss over a 16-month period, demonstrating that 12.5% of cases had a combination of diagnoses (multifactorial alopecia) accounting for their hair loss. An approach to the histopathologic diagnosis of multifactorial alopecia, particularly multiple forms of alopecia found in a single biopsy, is here presented.