Trichoscopy of scalp dysesthesia

Introduction

Scalp dysesthesia was first described in 1998 by Hoss and Segal. It is characterized by localized pruritus, burning sensations or even pain [1]. The pathogenesis of this condition is poorly understood and has not been determined. The pain and pruritus may be related to the chronic tension placed on the occipitofrontalis muscle and scalp aponeurosis secondary to the underlying cervical spine disease [2].
There are only few publications about this condition [2, 3].

Aim

Trichoscopy (hair and scalp dermoscopy) is a rapid in-office technique, which has become a standard procedure in differential diagnosis of hair loss [4–11]. There is only one case report addressing trichoscopy features in scalp dysesthesia [12]. The aim of this study was to assess characteristic trichoscopic features of scalp dysesthesia.

Material and methods

The study was a retrospective analysis (2010–2016). The trichoscopic database of 4532 records and patient records were searched to identify patients having been seen with scalp dysesthesia. Nine patients were identified (8 females/1 male; average age: 52 years, range: 44–66 years; average disease duration: 16 months, range: 5–36 months). All of them had a single patch of focal alopecia (1–3 cm) with pruritus and burning. Most of these lesions were located in the vertex area of the scalp (7 of 9), one in the occipital area and one in the parietal area.
Trichoscopy was performed in each case (as a standard procedure in diagnosing hair loss). All pictures (total 61 images) were evaluated by two authors for the presence of specific abnormalities in the hair shaft structure and skin surface.

Results

In all cases oval or round areas covered with short hairs were found and in 4 of 9 cases they were circumscribed by brownish linear discoloration (Figures 1, 2). Short hairs covering the entire alopecia patch were quite uniform in length and were composed of broom hairs (short hairs with longitudinal splitting of hair shaft from distal ends to the follicular opening; also known as trichoptilosis) in 7 of 9 patients (78%), block hairs (short hairs with horizontal distal end) in 8 of 9 patients (89%) and trichorrhexis nodosa in 7 of 9 patients (78%) (Figures 2–5).
Background features included areas lacking hair shafts (44%; 4/9) (Figure 2) covered by wavy-shaped scaling (wavy shape was visible because of “dirty” discoloration of scale margins; Figure 2); whitish areas with prominent perifollicular yellow discoloration and cloud vessels arranged around follicular openings and around empty follicles (33%; 3/9) (Figure 5); focal brownish discoloration with darker wavy lines (78%; 7/9) (Figure 3). Round yellow structures reflecting pustules were found in 2 of 9 patients (22%) (Figure 2). Some yellow dots (empty follicular openings filled with sebum) were also found (33%; 3/9).

Discussion

There is only one description of trichoscopy in scalp dysesthesia (one case) [12]. In this paper the author suggests that trichoptilosis is one of the most characteristic finding of this disorder. In our study (although limited because of a small number of patients as the disease is rare) we found more features regarding hair shafts and background. All lesions were covered by short hairs more or less uniform in length. In higher magnifications (70×) they occurred to be broom hairs, block hairs and short hairs with trichorhexis nodosa. They are caused by a mechanical injury and it is surprising that typical findings of trichotillomania (irregularly broken hairs, flame hairs, coiled hairs, hook hairs, tulip hairs) [13] were not found. The explanation of this may be that hairs in the small area were rubbed (not pulled out) with the same force. There are no reports concerning trichoscopy of trichoteiromania. Based on our own experience, broom hairs and trichorrhexis nodosa can be also observed in this condition, but less regularly distributed in patches of scratching alopecia. The length of those short hairs is more variable.
Short hairs with trichorhexis nodoxa have to be distinguished from Morse code-like hairs seen in tinea capitis [14]. In each case the mycological examination has to be performed.
Background changes were seen in our study mostly as skin brownish discoloration with wavy darker lines and corresponded to hypertrophy of the epidermis caused by chronic scratching.

Conclusions

A single patch of alopecia in the vertex area with pruritus and pain has to be considered as scalp dysesthesia. Trichoscopy can be helpful in establishing the diagnosis – broom hairs, block hairs and short hairs with trichorrhexis nodosa covering the alopecia patch, uniform in length, can be considered as characteristic for scalp dysesthesia.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

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