Histopathology of Alopecia Areata and Male Androgenetic Alopecia in Horizontal Sections of Scalp Biopsies in Koreans / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The advantages of horizontal, over vertical, sectioning of scalp biopsies allow morphometric analysis of follicular structures. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we performed the morphometric analysis of alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia in Koreans using the horizontal sectioning method. METHODS: Paird, 4-mm punch biopises were taken from the margin of alopecic patch from 21 alopecia areata patients or the frontal lesion of 13 androgenetic alopcia patients, and from clinically normal occipital scalp of all subjects. RESULTS: The general histopathological features were consistent with the known descriptions, but the data on exact follicular counts showed striking differences compared with those from Caucasians. 1. In alopecia areata, numbers of vellus hairs (3.2+/-2.9) and follicular stellae (1.6+/-1.6) was increased significantly (p<0.05) compared with counts from normal occipital scalp (vellus hairs 1.1+/-1.3; follicular stellae 0.5+/-0.8). Anagen/telogen percent ratio was decreased in lesions (64.2%35.8%) compared with normal occipital scalp (94.0%5.7%). 2. In androgenetic alopecia, numbers of vellus hairs (4.1+/-3.7) and follicular stellae (4.4+/-3.4) was increased significantly (p<0.05) in the lesion compared with the normal occipital scalp (vellus hairs 1.1+/-1.3; follicular stellae 1.0+/-1.2). Mild decrease of anagen/telogen percent ratio was observed in lesions (86.5%13.5%) compared with normal occipital scalp (93.5%6.5%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that horizontal sectioning of scalp biopsies is a useful diagnostic method but differences in follicular counts should be considered in interpreting the morphometric data in Koreans.