Histopathologic Findings of Horizontal Sections of Normal Scalp from a Korean Male / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The advantage of transverse sectioning over vertical sectioning of scalp biopsies is morphometric analysis of follicular structures. OBJECTIVE: To obtain histologic data of hair follicles from normal scalp hair in a Korean male. METHOD: A total of 22 Korean male volunteers with a normal scalp were included. The age range was 26+/-4.5 (23-29 year-old). Transverse sections of 4mm punch biopsy specimens from the vertex were examined at various levels from the papillary dermis to the subcutis. Follicular counts of terminal/vellus hairs and anagen/telogen hairs were evaluated. RESULTS: The number of total hairs, terminal hairs, vellus hairs, average follicular units, and follicular structures/mm2 were 21.2+/-4.1, 18.8+/-3.7, 2.4+/-1.4, 9.0+/-1.6, and 1.6+/-0.3, respectively. Terminal hair vellus hair ratio and anagen telogen hair ratio were 7.8 1 and 93.7 6.3, respectively. Hair density in Korean males was found be significantly lower than that of white males, but similar to that of black males. CONCLUSION: This data can be used as a guideline for interpreting transverse sections of scalp biopsy specimens in Korean males.