Videodermoscopic Changes of the Hair in Vitiligo Lesions in Relation to Disease Duration.

Introduction: Vitiligo is an acquired disease of complex pathogenesis, in which the immunologic attack to the skin and hair follicle melanocytes leads to areas of depigmentation and leukotrichia, respectively. Objectives: To study the dermoscopic features of the hair changes in vitiligo lesions in comparison to perilesional control areas and in relation to disease duration. Methods: Forty-seven patients with both old and recent vitiligo lesions were included. Dermoscopic features of hair within the lesions were examined and compared to those in perilesional non depigmented skin of the same patient. Results: Hair density (P < 0.001), terminal hair rate (P = 0.011), terminal to vellus hair ratio (P = 0.029) and mean hair shaft thickness (P = 0.031) were significantly decreased, whereas vellus hair rate (P = 0.011) was significantly increased in old vitiligo lesions compared to their respective control areas. The frequency of broken hair was significantly higher in old lesions (P < 0.001), while that of upright re-growing hair was significantly higher in recent lesions (P = 0.016). Conclusions: Hair involvement in vitiligo lesions is not only limited to the development of leukotrichia. Other subtle changes in hair density, anagen and telogen hair rates, and mean hair thickness can be detected. These changes may serve as objective clues to the duration of the lesions.

Trichoscopy in Healthy Adult Egyptian Females: Normal Values of Hair Measurable Parameters.

Introduction: Documenting normal hair values through trichoscopy can provide a useful baseline when evaluating and treating hair loss in different populations. The aim of our study was to document normal values for measurable parameters of hair in adult Egyptian females. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 90 Egyptian females (age range 18-48 years), with no symptoms or signs of hair or scalp disease. Trichoscopy was performed in different scalp areas using FotoFinder Medicam 1000 videodermoscopy. Trichoscopy images were subjected to statistical processing using TrichoLAB system. Results: The frontal area demonstrated the highest number of hairs (190 ± 29/cm2), greatest average hair shaft thickness (63 ± 8 µm), greatest percentage of thick hairs (71% ± 12), highest mean cumulative hair thickness (12 ± 2 mm/cm2), and highest mean number of follicular units (82 ± 8/cm2). The temporal area showed the highest percentage of thin hairs (9% ± 5) and single-hair pilosebaceous units (23% ± 7), lowest mean number of hairs (154 ± 25/cm2), least average hair shaft thickness (60 ± 9 µm), least mean cumulative hair thickness (9 ± 2 mm/cm2), and least mean number of follicular units (70 ± 8/cm2). The occipital area showed the greatest percentage of triple-hair follicles (43% ± 12). Based on trichoscopy, the norms for hair parameters were calculated. Conclusion: Normal hair parameters in adult Egyptian females differ from those documented from other ethnicities. Evaluating and treating hair loss in clinical practice should be done in reference to documented normal values, which can be set through trichoscopy.

White and yellow dots as new trichoscopic signs of severe female androgenetic alopecia in dark skin phototypes.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia or female pattern hair loss is the condition that most commonly leads to hair loss in adult females. The trichoscope is used for the early diagnosis of the disease. The study aims at finding a possible association between trichoscopic signs and disease severity in dark-skinned females. METHODS: This was an observational study involving trichoscopic examination of 129 females with different hair disorders. RESULTS: Clinical and trichoscopic examination revealed 79 patients with androgenetic alopecia. All patients showed hair shaft diameter diversity. The predominance of one hair per follicle was found in 97.4% (77/79), peripilar brown halo in 32.9% (26/79), peripilar white halo in 10.1% (8/79), and honeycomb-like scalp pigmentation in 17.7% (14/79) of patients, yellow dots in 15.2% (12/79), white dots in 20.3% (16/79), and hidden hair in 7.6% (6/79). Yellow dots and white dots were positively correlated with the advanced Ludwig and Sinclair staging of hair loss. Peripilar sign, honeycomb pigmentation, and white dots were associated significantly with darker skin types. The other 50 patients were diagnosed with the following: normal healthy controls (10/50), telogen effluvium (25/50), alopecia areata (4/50), fibrosing alopecia in pattern distribution (4/50), folliculitis decalvans (2/50), discoid lupus erythematosus (1/50), lichen planopilaris (2/50), frontal fibrosing alopecia (1/50), and end-stage cicatricial alopecia (1/50). CONCLUSIONS: The yellow dot and white dot signs are suggested as new dermoscopic findings in advanced androgenetic alopecia. Peripilar sign, honeycomb pigmentation, and white dots are characteristic signs of female androgenetic alopecia in ethnic groups of darker skin.

Autologous platelet-rich plasma versus conventional therapy for the treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic venous leg ulcers drastically reduce the quality of life of affected patients. There is heightened interest in autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as one of the promising therapies for leg ulcers. AIM: Our aim was to compare the clinical efficacy of PRP in the management of chronic venous leg ulcers vs conventional treatment. PATIENTS/METHODS: In total, 40 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers were included in the study. Twenty patients were treated with autologous PRP weekly for 6 weeks (Group A), and 20 patients were treated with conventional treatment (compression and dressing) for 6 weeks (Group B). Treatment results were calculated by percentage of improvement in area of the ulcer. RESULTS: Compared to conventional therapy, a highly significant improvement in the ulcer size was observed post-PRP therapy (P-value = .0001). The mean change in the area of the ulcer post-PRP and conventional therapy was 4.92 ± 11.94 cm and 0.13 ± 0.27 cm, respectively, while the mean percentage improvement in the area of the ulcer post-PRP and conventional therapy was 67.6% ± 36.6% and 13.67% ± 28.06%, respectively. Subjective improvement in pain associated with the ulcer was noted by all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet-rich plasma is a safe nonsurgical procedure for treating chronic venous leg ulcers. Additional studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up periods are required to confirm or refute our findings.

Low level light-minoxidil 5% combination versus either therapeutic modality alone in management of female patterned hair loss: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is the most common form of hair loss in women. Nevertheless, its management represents a real challenge. Among the FDA approved therapeutic modalities for FPHL are topical minoxidil and more recently low-level light therapy (LLLT). AIM OF WORK: Assess the efficacy and safety of LLLT in comparison to topical minoxidil 5% and to a combination of both therapies in the treatment of FPHL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 45 female patients with proven FPHL. They were randomly divided into three equal groups, where group (i) patients were instructed to apply topical minoxidil 5% twice daily, group (ii) patients received LLLT using the helmet iGrow® device for 25 minutes 3 days weekly, and group (iii) patients received a combination of both topical minoxidil 5% twice daily and LLLT for 25 minutes 3 days weekly for 4 months (study duration). Evaluation was done according to clinical, dermoscopic (folliscopic), and ultrasound bio-microscopic (UBM) parameters. Patient satisfaction and side effects were reported. RESULTS: The efficacy and safety of both topical minoxidil and LLLT were highlighted with comparable results in all parameters. The combination group (iii) occupied the top position regarding Ludwig classification and patient satisfaction. UBM and dermoscopic findings showed significant increase in the number of regrowing hair follicles at 4 months in all groups, whereas only UBM showed such significant increase at 2 months in the combination group (iii). A non-significant increase in the hair diameter was also documented in the three groups. CONCLUSION: LLLT is an effective and safe tool with comparable results to minoxidil 5% in the treatment of FPHL. Owing to the significantly better results of combination therapy, its usage is recommended to hasten hair regrowth. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:835-843, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Randomized split-face controlled study to evaluate 1550-nm fractionated erbium glass laser for treatment of acne vulgaris--an image analysis evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Novel and promising results in acne treatment with infrared lasers have been reported. The 1,550-nm erbium glass laser is one of the infrared lasers that may be useful in the treatment of acne. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an erbium glass laser in treatment of active acne and to study the effect of this type of laser on sebaceous glands. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with active acne lesions were treated using 1,550-nm (30-40 mJ) fractional erbium glass laser. Every patient received 4 sessions with a 2-week interval. Follow-up was done every 3 months for 1 year. The image analyzer computer system was used to measure the sebaceous gland size. RESULTS: A significant reduction (p < .0001) in the mean count of lesions was observed after treatment and in the follow-up period. A significant reduction in the size of sebaceous glands was also evident after laser treatment. CONCLUSION: Treatment of active acne with the 1,550-nm erbium glass laser is effective. Papules, pustules, and nodules all respond well to therapy. The sebaceous gland size decreased significantly, which accounts for the long remission period.

Assessment of serum vascular endothelial growth factor and nail fold capillaroscopy changes in systemic lupus erythematosus with and without cutaneous manifestations.

Angiogenesis and microvascular endothelial injury play a role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key regulator of angiogenesis, and nail fold capillaroscopy (NFC) have been investigated in few studies in SLE with no reports targeting SLE with cutaneous manifestations. To evaluate NFC changes and VEGF serum level in relation to disease activity in SLE patients with versus without cutaneous manifestations. Thirty SLE patients (15 with cutaneous manifestations [group I], 15 without [group II]) and 15 healthy controls were evaluated for VEGF serum levels, NFC changes and were related to disease activity. VEGF serum levels were significantly higher in patients than controls (median and interquartile range [IQR]: 2110.77, 471.09-4714.30 vs. 60.00, 14-366, respectively, P < 0.0001). VEGF cut-off value to predict SLE patients was more than 293 and to detect moderate and severe SLE activity was more than 422 pg/mL and more than 3800 pg/mL, respectively. Serum VEGF levels increased with increased disease activity (P < 0.05). It was significantly higher in group I than group II (median and IQR: 2624.74, 1801.39-4141.70 vs. 862.50, 180-2426.95, respectively, P < 0.05). Mean serum VEGF was significantly higher with NFC score 3 than 1 (P = 0.008). NFC score and SLE activity were significantly associated in patients (P < 0.05). Serum VEGF is significantly elevated in SLE patients with cutaneous manifestations and its cut-off values to detect different activity grades of SLE are identified. Abnormalities in NFC reflect the extent of microvascular involvement in SLE.

Comparison of turbo-PUVA and conventional American-style PUVA in the treatment of psoriatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet (UV)A protective properties of dihydroxyacetone (DHA) have been used as a topical UV-resisting barrier to optimize psoralens and UVA (turbo-PUVA). Starting doses and increments were based on the DHA diffuse reflectance spectroscopy-derived protection factor. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of turbo-PUVA in psoriatic patients using a simpler method for determining starting doses and increments, in comparison to the conventional American-style PUVA photochemotherapy. METHODS: Thirty psoriasis patients (15 on American-style PUVA and 15 on turbo-PUVA) were evaluated, each receiving PUVA twice weekly. Starting UVA dose was determined according to skin phototype for the American-style PUVA group and according to the patient's skin phototype x DHA SPF 3 in turbo-PUVA group. UVA increments used were 0.5-1.5 J/cm(2) per treatment in American-style PUVA and 25% of the previous dose in turbo-PUVA. RESULTS: Turbo-PUVA group showed a significantly lower mean cumulative dose, a significantly higher psoriasis area and severity index score reduction, lesser mean number of treatment sessions, and less duration of treatment till remission (188.44+/-106.2 J/cm(2), 92.164+/-1.975%, 11.2+/-3.52 session, and 1.4+/-0.44 months, respectively) than conventional American-style PUVA group (255.13+/-18.304 J/cm(2), 74.725+/-10.976%, 30+/-0.00 sessions, and 3.75+/-0.00 months, respectively). CONCLUSION: Turbo-PUVA is more effective and time convenient for the treatment of psoriasis with less cumulative dose than the conventional American-style PUVA.