The role of scalp dermoscopy in the diagnosis of alopecia areata incognita.

BACKGROUND Alopecia areata incognita is a variety of alopecia areata characterized by acute diffuse shedding of telogen hairs without typical patches. OBJECTIVE We sought to report the clinical, pathological, and dermoscopic features of alopecia areata incognita. METHODS Seventy patients with alopecia areata incognita were evaluated clinically and with videodermoscopy during the period of 2002 to 2006. Pathology was performed in 50 patients. RESULTS The presence of numerous, diffuse, round or polycyclic yellow dots, different in size and uniform in color and distribution, was a typical dermoscopic feature in all patients. Short regrowing hairs were also present. The dermoscopic findings were correlated and supported by the histologic features of the scalp specimens. LIMITATIONS Scalp biopsy was performed only in 50 patients. CONCLUSION Videodermoscopy is a first step before performing a biopsy. It can help the clinician to find the right place to take the sample, but can also avoid unnecessary biopsies.