[Frontal fibrosing alopecia]. / L'alopécie frontale fibrosante.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) was first described in 1994. It is characterized by scarring alopecia in bands involving the anterior area of the scalp. Alopecia of the eyebrows is frequently associated, as are pubic, facial and body hair alopecia. The clinical and histologic features are evocative of lichen planopilaris (LPP), and AFF is in fact regarded as a special pattern of LPP. Histology reveals a lymphocytic infiltrate located around the isthmus and follicular infundibulum associated with a decrease in the number of follicles, which are supplanted by fibrous tract. AFF most commonly affects post-menopausal women, but instances have been described in men and in young women. This orphan disease has increased in recent years, with more than 37 articles dedicated to this condition since it was first described in 1994. The pathophysiology remains unknown. The condition develops slowly with spontaneous stabilization over several years but it is impossible to predict the degree of expression prior to stabilization. In this article we review the various treatments proposed, for none of which formal proof of efficacy has been provided to date.

A lipohydroxyacid-containing shampoo improves scalp condition and quality of life in patients with seborrheic dermatitis and light-to-moderate scalp psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Dandruff is a common scalp disorder affecting almost half of the post-pubertal population of any ethnicity and both genders. It is one of the major reasons for patients to consult a dermatologist and it is the cause of significant psychological and social distress. AIMS: The aim of this open study was to evaluate the benefit of a 4-week treatment with a shampoo containing 0.1% lipohydroxyacid (LHA) and 1.3% salicylic acid on the scalp condition and on the quality of life of 275 volunteers with seborrheic dermatitis (SD) (n = 226) or light-to-moderate scalp psoriasis (SP) (n = 49). METHODS: The clinical benefit of the treatment was assessed by scoring the following parameters, i.e., severity of the dermatosis, scaling, itching, excoriations, and superficial burning sensation. The impact on the quality of life was assessed using the Scalpdex, a questionnaire specially developed by Chen et al. for patients with scalp dermatitis, which includes 23 questions regarding the symptoms, functioning and emotions affected by scalp dermatosis. RESULTS: The shampoo used in this study was well tolerated. After a 4-week treatment, dermatologists noticed a significant clinical improvement of all the scalp parameters evaluated (i.e., the composite lesional score was improved in 91% and 77% of the patients with SD or SP respectively). The symptoms, functioning and emotions scores of quality of life were also significantly improved in relation to the improvement of scalp condition. CONCLUSION: This study not only allowed a better understanding of the SD and SP patient's profile but also demonstrated that the shampoo evaluated is a convenient, efficient, safe, and well-tolerated cosmetic treatment of SD and light-to-moderate SP improving greatly the quality of life of the treated patients.

[Clinical tools for assessing hair loss]. / La mise au point d'une alopécie.

The complaint of hair loss is quite frequent but merits close attention because it can be very stressful to the patient. A simple examination will allow in most cases to define the origin of the hair loss and reassure the patient rapidly as to its likely evolution if it is reversible. The examination must take into account the medical, chirurgical, gynaecological and dietary antecedents and the cosmetic habits. These elements must be situated in time and complemented by a clinical examination to define the loss as diffuse or localised and in the latter case, expose scar damage. The clinical examination will be associated with a trichogram and in certain cases with a biopsy or a squam prelevement. Further, the blood can be analysed for different metabolically and hormonal elements. Finally, the treatments already administered must be known in order to identify the beneficial and secondary effects, which will allow the definition of a new treatment, if required.

[Androgenetic alopecia]. / L'alopécie androgénétique.

The physiopathology of androgenetic alopecia is linked to the action of the androgens of the bulbs pilairs of the scalp. The action of these androgens can be associated with the level of hormones in circulation and with the genetic predisposition which will influence the activity of these androgens at the periphery. The classifications of the evolution of alopecia will be done following Norwood for the male and following Ludwig for the female. Hormonal investigation will be effectuated on the female only in the case of research on or the identification of hyperandrogenia; this is essential in order to direct the therapy. The diagnose and the therapeutic follow-up are essentially clinical but can be assisted by a trichogram which will show-up the miniaturisation process of androgenetic alopecia and the telogen effluvium of the affected areas. The treatment of alopecia can be local or general. The local treatment will use a lotion of minoxidil 2 to 5% whether the patient is male of female. On males, an inhibitor of the 5 alpha reductase 2, finasteride, has shown its efficiency at a dose of 1 mg/day. On females oestroprogestatives will be used, if they are not counter-advised, associated with an anti-androgen: either cyproterone acetate or spironolactone. A therapeutic evaluation will be made after 6 months of treatment.

[Intravenous pulse methylprednisolone therapy for severe alopecia areata: an open study of 66 patients]. / Traitement des pelades étendues par bolus de méthylprednisolone. Etude ouverte chez 66 malades.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of alopecia areata is a difficult challenge. Some European publications have shown encouraging results with high dose pulse corticosteroid therapy in extensive plurifocal alopecia areata. We undertook a prospective open study between January 2000 and December 2001 using repeated pulse each month, with the aim of identifying the effects of this repetition and underlining the best indications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients aged 9 to 60 years old presenting an extensive alopecia areata exceeding 30% of the scalp surface (n=47), alopecia totalis (n=8), alopecia universalis (n=8), ophiasic alopecia (n=3), for less than 12 months entered this study. The administered treatment was methylprednisolone 500 mg/d during 3 days or 5 mg/kg twice per day during 3 days in children. These pulses were repeated after 4 and 8 weeks, then a second series was carried out or not according to cases. The main evaluation criterion was the percentage of new terminal hair appearing on the bald areas, appreciated by clinical and photographic evaluation at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Ophiasic alopecia areata did not respond to treatment. A quarter of patients presenting universal alopecia had a good response (higher than 80 p. 100) followed by a relapse in half the cases. Half of the patients presenting alopecia totalis had a good response, which was maintained three times out of four. Multifocal alopecia areata seems the best indication since the patients under study presented a good response in 63.8 p. 100 of cases (78 p. 100 when it was a first episode and 90.5 p. 100 if the treatment had been started in less than 3 months before). The repetition of the pulses did not appear to increase the number of responders. CONCLUSION: This study provides the best indication of pulse methylprednisolone therapy: first recent episode of extensive plurifocal alopecia areata. These results are less convincing in long term history or other forms of alopecia areata.

Effects of minoxidil 2% vs. cyproterone acetate treatment on female androgenetic alopecia: a controlled, 12-month randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Hormone studies have demonstrated the androgen-dependent character of female androgenetic alopecia, but there have been few controlled studies of therapies for alopecia in women. OBJECTIVES: To compare topical minoxidil 2% and cyproterone acetate in the treatment of female alopecia. METHODS: Sixty-six women with female-pattern alopecia were randomly assigned for 12 cycles into two groups, 33 received two local applications (2 mL day-1) of topical minoxidil 2% plus combined oral contraceptive and 33 received cyproterone acetate 52 mg day-1 plus ethinyl oestradiol 35 microg for 20 of every 28 days. RESULTS: A mean reduction of 2.4 +/- 6.2 per 0.36 cm2 in hairs of diameter > 40 microm was observed in the cyproterone acetate group (P = 0.05) and a mean increase of 6.5 +/- 9 per 0.36 cm2 in the minoxidil group (P < 0.001). Comparison of the total number of hairs at 12 months and the body mass index (BMI) revealed a borderline positive correlation in the cyproterone acetate group (r = 0.39, P = 0.06) and a negative correlation in the minoxidil group (r = -0.42, P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the total number of hairs among cyproterone acetate patients according to the presence or absence of other symptoms of hyperandrogenism, whereas in the minoxidil group, the total number of new hairs was higher in patients with isolated alopecia (Delta = 8.1; P < 0.05). Variations in scalp seborrhoea were significant in both groups, but the result was better (for acne and hirsutism as well) in the cyproterone acetate group than in the minoxidil group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Minoxidil treatment was more effective in the absence of other signs of hyperandrogenism, hyperseborrhoea, and menstrual cycle modifications when the BMI was low, and when nothing argued in favour of biochemical hyperandrogenism. Cyproterone acetate treatment was more effective when other signs were present and when the BMI was elevated, factors that favoured a diagnosis of biochemical hyperandrogenism.

[Relapsing polychondritis and mesenteric panniculitis: apropos of 2 cases]. / Polychondrite atrophiante et panniculite mésentérique: à propos de 2 cas.

We report two cases of polychondritis associated with mesenteric panniculitis. Case 1. In February 1989, a woman born in 1949 presented with 40 degrees C fever accompanied by pain in the abdomen and pelvis. Eight days later, nodular skin lesions appeared on her lower limbs. The abdomen was swollen with gas and undepressible. An abdominal CT scan revealed partitioned peritoneal collections, and a guided needle aspiration produced a chylous fluid. Direct and indirect bacteriological examinations gave negative results. Histology showed intense inflammatory reaction with giant cells and lipophages, thereby confirming the presence of mesenteric panniculitis. Six months later, the development of chondritic lesions on the nose and the helix of the ear clinched the diagnosis of polychondritis. The patient was put on corticosteroid therapy for a few months, and in January this year (1993) she is durably asymptomatic. Case 2. In October 1977, a woman born in 1937 presented with polychondritis with prolonged fever, inflammatory syndrome and chondritic lesions of the nose, larynx and helix of the ear. In December 1978, she developed signs of abdominal obstruction. Laparotomy revealed infiltration by multiple nodular formations of the entire posterior line of attachment of the mesentery. Biopsies withdrew a puriform fluid. Histology showed a partly necrotic adipose tissue with giant cells and lipophages. High-dose corticosteroid therapy partially controlled the chondritic and abdominal manifestations. The occurrence of abdominal pain in patients with polychondritis may result from several disorders, such as iatrogenic complications, digestive tract vasculitis or ulcerative colitis, but also associated mesenteric panniculitis.