Sperling LC, Cowper SE, Knopp EA. An Atlas of Hair Pathology with Clinical Correlations. Second edition. New York & London: Informa Healthcare, 2012

cia would be easy and each biopsy would demonstrate the descriptions found in my new text. As my training progressed, I was fortunate to attend alopecia clinics in the dermatology department and see the corresponding biopsies during residency and in fellowship. Usually, the biopsies were expertly performed, grossed, and diagnosed, again, making the process seem exciting and deceptively easy. In reviewing outside consultations, however, I also quickly learned that many cases would not be easily diagnosed. I entered private practice where I, again, have been fortunate enough to work with excellent clinicians and supported by helpful and experienced colleagues. I was lucky, in a way, when a majority of my first alopecia biopsies were to confirm central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, and the biopsies usually corresponded to that diagnosis. Rarely, a biopsy would arrive either without clinical information, an inadequate amount of tissue, or as a consultation on poorly oriented tissue, etc. I realized how frustrating it was for everyone involved when a specific diagnosis could not be rendered and especially for the patient for having to endure the pain of scalp biopsies. When a challenging case of alopecia presents itself, I always turn to my text and enjoy the brief, yet sufficient information. When I realized there was a second edition of my trusty alopecia text, I was both excited and a bit nervous. I have read the first edition several times, both continuously and intermittently. I liked that the first edition was succinct, and having nearly memorized some portions, I felt I had conquered many of the topics. I found it easy to get through