Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus: An uncommon manifestation in pediatric population. / Lupus eritematoso sistémico buloso: Una manifestación infrecuente en población pediátrica.

INTRODUCTION: Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease se condary to the presence of autoantibodies against type VII collagen of the basement membrane zone. It is considered a variant of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and is uncommon in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: To describe the case of a pediatric patient with a bullous eruption compati ble with BSLE. CLINICAL CASE: A 16-year-old female patient of Mapuche descent with history of SLE diagnosed at age 10, undergoing treatment. She consulted due to a six-week history of a generalized bullous eruption with no systemic symptoms. Biopsy for histology and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) confirmed the diagnosis of BSLE. The patient responded favorably to dapsone 100 mg/day (associated with her baseline treatment), without new reactivations after 8 years of follow-up. Con clusion: BSLE is an infrequent manifestation of SLE. The clinical presentation is similar to other bullous dermatoses, but the histopathology and DIF in correlation with the presence of SLE confirm the diagnosis. Although indigenous ancestry is associated with SLE high-risk alleles, studies regarding the association of BSLE in this ethnic group are still lacking.

[Suspected vascular ehlers danlos syndrome. Case report]. / Sospecha diagnóstica de síndrome de Ehlers Danlos tipo vascular: reporte de un caso y revisión de literatura.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome comprises a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders of the connective tissue, due to defects in collagen or its modifying enzymes. We report a 21 years old male presenting with translucent skin revealing the subcutaneous venous pattern. He had a thin face, large-appearing eyes, thin lips, thin nose, joint hypermotility and history of hip dysplasia. A vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome was suspected. However, the genetic study to confirm the diagnosis was not done.

Sospecha diagnóstica de síndrome de Ehlers Danlos tipo vascular: reporte de un caso y revisión de literatura / Suspected vascular ehlers danlos syndrome: case report

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome comprises a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders of the connective tissue, due to defects in collagen or its modifying enzymes. We report a 21 years old male presenting with translucent skin revealing the subcutaneous venous pattern. He had a thin face, large-appearing eyes, thin lips, thin nose, joint hypermotility and history of hip dysplasia. A vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome was suspected. However, the genetic study to confirm the diagnosis was not done.

[Effect of copper sulphate on the lung damage induced by chronic intermittent exposure to ozone]. / Efecto del sulfato de cobre en el daño pulmonar inducido por la exposición crónica intermitente a ozono.

BACKGROUND: Ozone exposure could increase lung damage induced by airborne particulate matter. Particulate matter lung toxicity has been attributed to its metallic content. AIM: To evaluate the acute effect of intratracheal administration of copper sulfate (CuSO4) on rat lungs previously damaged by a chronic intermittent ozone exposure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two-months-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0.5 ppm ozone four h per day, five days a week, during two months. CuSO4 was intratracheally instilled 20 h after ozone exposure. Controls breathed filtered air or were instilled with 0.9% NaCl or with CuSO4 or were only exposed to ozone. We evaluated lung histopathology. F2 isoprostanes were determined in plasma. Cell count, total proteins, γ glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatases (AP) were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). RESULTS: Ozone increased total cell count, macrophages, proteins and AP in BALF (p < 0.05), and induced pulmonary neutrophil inflammation. CuSO4 plus air increased plasma F2 isoprostane levels and total cell count, neutrophils and proteins in BALF (p < 0.05). Histopathology showed foamy macrophages. Ozone plus CuSO4 exposed animals showed a neutrophil inflammatory lung response and an increase in total cell count, proteins, GGT and AP in BALF (p < 0.05). Foamy and pigmented alveolar macrophages were detected in all lungs of these animals (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intratracheal instillation of a single dose of CuSO4 in rats previously subjected to a chronic and intermittent exposure to ozone induces a neutrophil pulmonary inflammatory response and cytoplasmic damage in macrophages.

Efecto del sulfato de cobre en el daño pulmonar inducido por la exposición crónica intermitente a ozono / Effect of copper sulphate on the lung damage induced by chronic intermittent exposure to ozone

Background: Ozone exposure could increase lung damage induced by airborne particulate matter. Particulate matter lung toxicity has been attributed to its metallic content. Aim: To evaluate the acute effect of intratracheal administration of copper sulfate (CuSO4) on rat lungs previously damaged by a chronic intermittent ozone exposure. Material and Methods: Two-months-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0.5 ppm ozone four h per day, five days a week, during two months. CuSO4 was intratracheally instilled 20 h after ozone exposure. Controls breathed filtered air or were instilled with 0.9% NaCl or with CuSO4 or were only exposed to ozone. We evaluated lung histopathology. F2 isoprostanes were determined in plasma. Cell count, total proteins, γ glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatases (AP) were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Results: Ozone increased total cell count, macrophages, proteins and AP in BALF (p < 0.05), and induced pulmonary neutrophil inflammation. CuSO4 plus air increased plasma F2 isoprostane levels and total cell count, neutrophils and proteins in BALF (p < 0.05). Histopathology showed foamy macrophages. Ozone plus CuSO4 exposed animals showed a neutrophil inflammatory lung response and an increase in total cell count, proteins, GGT and AP in BALF (p < 0.05). Foamy and pigmented alveolar macrophages were detected in all lungs of these animals (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Intratracheal instillation of a single dose of CuSO4 in rats previously subjected to a chronic and intermittent exposure to ozone induces a neutrophil pulmonary inflammatory response and cytoplasmic damage in macrophages.

Bap1 y neoplasias melanocíticas / Bap1 and melanocytic neoplasms

El melanoma maligno cutáneo (MMC) es un cáncer genéticamente heterogéneo, en cuya patogénesis participarían varios genes. Algunos de estos activan la vía MAP kinasa (BRAF, NRAS, KIT, NF1), mientras que otros confieren una mayor susceptibilidad a melanoma familiar, como CDKN2A, CDK4, MITF y BAP1. BAP1 (BRCA1-associated-protein 1) ha sido descrito como una proteína que se une a BRCA1 para inhibir el crecimiento celular. Actualmente se sabe que es producto de un gen supresor de tumores (denominado BAP1) y que actúa como una enzima con actividad deubiquitinasa, la cual se asocia a varios complejos de proteínas, regulando diversas vías celulares relacionadas con el ciclo celular, diferenciación y muerte celular, así como también gluconeogénesis y respuesta a daño del ADN. Tanto su actividad deubiquitinasa como su localización nuclear son relevantes para su función en la supresión de tumores.

Malignant cutaneous melanoma (MMC) is a genetically heterogeneous cancer and various genes participate in its pathogenesis. Some of these genes activate the MAP kinase pathway (BRAF, NRAS, KIT, NF1) and others are related to a higher susceptibility to familial melanoma like CDKN2A, CDK4, MITF y BAP1. BAP1 (BRCA1-associated –protein 1) has been described as a BRCA1-binding protein inhibiting cell growth. This protein is a product of a gene with tumor suppressor activity, the protein being a deubiquitinase associated to multiple protein complexes regulating various cellular pathways, including the cell cycle, differentiation and cell death, as well as gluconeogenesis and DNA damage response. Both deubiquitinase activity and location to the nucleus are relevant to its tumor suppressor function.

Liquen escleroso y atrófico: revisión de una dermatosis con múltiples manifestaciones / Lichen sclerosus and atrophic: review of a dermatosis with multiple manifestations

El liquen escleroso y atrófico (LEA) es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica poco frecuente, de causa desconocida, con tendencia a la atrofia epidérmica y cicatrización destructiva. Predomina en mujeres, en la región anogenital, asociándose a un importante deterioro funcional y, en ocasiones, transformación maligna a carcinoma espinocelular. El tratamiento de elección es aún controvertido, siendo los corticoides tópicos de alta potencia y los inhibidores tópicos de la calcineurina los más utilizados. Se presentan cuatro casos clínicos de LEA; uno en una niña de 8 años, con una placa blanquecina atrófica localizada en tórax anterior; un segundo caso, un paciente de sexo masculino de 31 años con una placa blanquecina atrófica localizada en el glande, prepucio y cuerpo del pene; un tercer caso, un paciente de sexo masculino de 24 años con pápulas blanquecinas de 1 mm de diámetro, localizadas en el cuerpo del pene; y finalmente, una paciente de sexo femenino de 53 años con placas blanquecinas, atróficas e induradas en la axila derecha. Todos con hallazgos histopatológicos característicos que permitieron confirmar el diagnóstico de LEA. A partir de estos casos destacamos las diferentes localizaciones y edades de presentación que puede tener esta enfermedad junto con la importancia de un diagnóstico e inicio precoz del tratamiento. Esta revisión tiene como objetivo actualizar los conocimientos sobre los datos demográficos, clínicos, fisiopatológicos y terapéuticos en torno a LEA. Para ello, se realizó una búsqueda exhaustiva de la literatura utilizando los buscadores de PubMed y la Colaboración Cochrane. Resultados de la búsqueda incluyen bibliografía publicada hasta julio de 2014.

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA) is an uncommon chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause, prone to produce epidermal atrophy and destructive scarring. It predominates in women, in the anogenital region, usually associated with significant functional impairment and sometimes malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The treatment of choice is still controversial, with topical high potency steroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors being actually the most used. Four clinical cases are presented: one from an 8 year-old girl with a whitish atrophic plaque located on the chest; another is a male patient, aged 31, with a whitish atrophic plaque located on the glans, foreskin and body of the penis; a third case, 24 year-old male, with whitish papules of 1 mm in diameter located on the body of the penis and; finally, a female patient aged 53, with white atrophic and indurated plaques at the right axilla. All of them had characteristic histopathologic findings, confirming the diagnosis of LSA. From these cases we pretend to highlight the different locations and ages of presentation of LSA, and the importance of an early diagnosis and treatment. This review update the current understanding of the demographic, clinical, pathogenic and therapeutic data on LSA. For this, a comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using PubMed and Cochrane Library. Search results include published references until july 2014.

Granulomatosis eosinofílica con poliangeítis: reporte de caso yrevisión de la literatura / Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: case report and review of the literature

La granulomatosis eosinofílica con poliangeítis (Síndrome de Churg-Strauss) es una enfermedad vasculítica primaria poco frecuente. El diagnóstico actualmente se define a partir de la presencia de al menos cuatro de seis criterios propuestos por la Sociedad Americana de Reumatología, los cuales incluyen: asma bronquial, eosinofilia mayor que 10 por ciento, sinusitis paranasal, infiltración pulmonar, evidencia histológica de vasculitis y compromiso neurológico ya sea mono o polineuropático. En el presente artículo se reporta el caso de un paciente de 56 años con antecedentes de asma bronquial, rinitis alérgica y poliposis nasal operada, derivado a nuestro centro por cuadro de aumento de volumen doloroso en ambas extremidades inferiores, baja de peso, parestesias y debilidad muscular. Asociado a esto desarrolló lesiones purpúricas palpables cuya biopsia resultó compatible con granulomatosis eosinofílica con poliangeítis. El paciente posteriormente recibió tratamiento inmunosupresor con prednisona y un pulso de ciclofosfamida con buena respuesta clínica. Se presenta una revisión bibliográfica a propósito del caso.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss Syndrome) is an uncommon primary vasculitis. The diagnosis is currently defined by the presence of at least four of six criteria proposed by the American College of Rheumatology, which include: asthma, eosinophilia less than 10 percent, paranasal sinusitis, pulmonary infiltration, histologic evidence of vasculitis and neurologic compromise as mono or polyneuropathy. In the present article, we report the case of a 56 year-old man with history of asthma, allergic rhinitis and operated nasal polyposis, referred to our center with painful bulking in both lower extremities, weight loss, paresthesias and muscle weakness. It also developed palpable purpura. Biopsy of skin lesions was compatible with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. The patient subsequently received immunosuppressive therapy with prednisone and a cyclophosphamide bolus with good clinical response. A review on the subject is also presented.

Carcinoma espinocelular de la vulva: caso clínico / Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: case report

Antecedentes: El carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) es una neoplasia epitelial maligna. La mayor parte se concentra en 4 áreas: cáncer de piel no melanoma, de cabeza y cuello, esofágico y pulmonar. El riesgo de metástasis de CEC es de 0,3-3,7 por ciento. El CEC vulvar representa aproximadamente un 3-5 por ciento de los cánceres ginecológicos. Caso clínico: Mujer de 86 años con prurito genital de larga data. Evaluada en varias oportunidades, siendo tratada como Herpes genital con valaciclovir, y Liquen Escleroso y Atrófico (LEA) con corticoides tópicos y tacrolimus con mala respuesta. Consultó por intenso prurito y nuevas lesiones vulvares. Al examen físico, destacaban 2 nódulos ulcerados en región periclitorídea izquierda e introito. La biopsia confirmó CEC bien diferenciado infiltrante. El TAC de abdomen y pelvis descartó metástasis. Se realizó radioterapia por 7 semanas. Por persistencia de la lesión, ingresó a cuidados paliativos. Dos años después la paciente está en buenas condiciones. Discusión: El CEC representa el 95 por ciento de las neoplasias vulvares. Existen 2 tipos: CEC en mujeres jóvenes, asociado a infección por virus papiloma humano de alto riesgo y CEC en mujeres mayores en relación a LEA. El 45-61 por ciento de los CEC de vulva se asocian a LEA preexistente, por lo que se recomienda el seguimiento de pacientes portadoras de LEA cada 6 meses. Conclusión: Es importante realizar biopsias de lesiones vulvares con mala respuesta a tratamiento, sobre todo si se asocia a LEA.

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant epithelial neoplasm. SCC can be divided into 4 groups: non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), head and neck, esophageal and lung cancer. The risk for metastasis of SCC is 0.3-3.7 percent. Vulvar SCC is approximately 3-5 percent of all gynecological cancers. Case report: An 86-year old woman with a history of several years of genital pruritus and many consultations for this reason, prior treatments included valacyclovir for genital herpes; topical corticosteroids and tachrolymus for lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LEA) with poor response. She presented with pruritus and new vulvar lesions. Physical examination showed two ulcerated nodules on the left periclitorid region and the introitus. The biopsy confirmed an infiltrating well-differentiated SCC. CT-scans discarded metastases. She received 7 weeks of radiotherapy. Due to persistence of the tumor the patient entered palliative care. Two years afterwards the patient is in good condition. Discussion: SCC represents 95 percent of vulvar malignancies. There are 2 types: SCC in young women, associated with high-risk human papilloma virus infection and SCC in elder women associated to the preexistence of LEA. 45-61 percent of vulvar SCC is associated in with preexisting LEA. Patients with LEA should be followed every 6 months. Conclusion: It is important to perform biopsies of vulvar lesions that have poor response to treatment, especially if they are associated with LEA.

[Detection of HTLV-1 DNA in biopsies of Chilean patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma]. / Búsqueda del ADN del virus HTLV-1 en biopsias de pacientes con linfoma cutáneo de células T.

BACKGROUND: Human T-lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) infection has been associated with the pathogenesis of cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL). AIM: To search for HTLV-1 DNA in skin biopsies of patients with CTCL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using 25 biopsies of patients with CTCL. DNA was extracted from lymphoid tissue by microdissection. A nested PCR was conducted to detect HTLV-1 genome using primers for the tax region. As negative controls, four cases of superficial perivascular dermatitis were chosen. As positive controls, five cases of T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATCL) were studied. RESULTS: A positive reaction was found in 3 of 25 cases. These biopsies corresponded to a case of Mycosis Fungoides, a case of CD30 (-) T-cell lymphoma and a case of lymphomatoid papulosis. Search was negative in the four cases of superficial perivascular dermatitis and positive in four cases of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATCL). CONCLUSIONS: HTLV-1 DNA search in tissues is a useful tool recommended to study T-cell lymphomas. HTLV-1 infection only occurs in sporadic cases but may contribute to tumor aggressiveness and prognosis.

Lobectomía en ratas: modelo quirúrgico experimental: resultados en la densidad alveolar / Development of a rat model of lung lobectomy

Introducción: En la literatura está documentado que diferentes mamíferos tienen la capacidad de crecimiento compensatorio post resección pulmonar parcial. Objetivo: Crear un modelo quirúrgico de lobectomía en ratas, factible de desarrollar en nuestro medio, exponiendo algunas originalidades en relación a procedimientos de ventilación pulmonar, comunicando los resultados de la densidad alveolar obtenidos. Animales y Métodos: Se utilizaron 47 ratas Rattus norvegicus. Se aplicó como anestesia Atropina, Quetamina y Xilacina. Para el manejo de la vía aérea se diseñó: 1. Un sistema de ventilación con máscara facial tipo ambú evitando así la intubación traqueal. 2. Un protocolo de evaluación anestésica. 3. Un halo para oxigenar. 4. Se modificó un estetoscopio para realizar auscultación animal. Se practicó una lobectomía pulmonar derecha. Los sujetos fueron separados en Grupo Control (n = 7) y Grupo Experimental (n = 40), estos últimos, separados en cuatro grupos (n = 10, cada grupo), que fueron sacrificados en las semana 1, 2, 3 y 4. Resultados: Se logró 100 por ciento de sobrevida. El número de intersecciones alveolares mostró diferencias significativas entre el grupo control y el grupo experimental sacrificado en la semana 3 (p = 0,0016), con un menor número de alvéolos en el grupo experimental. Conclusión: Es factible realizar un modelo de cirugía pulmonar en ratas, con obtención de un 100 por ciento de sobrevida. Esto se logra por adecuaciones en el manejo pre e intra-operatorio. No se pudo demostrar que exista aumento significativo en el número de alvéolos, posiblemente por el bajo número de casos realizados.

Background: Surgical lung resection is required for multiple pulmonary diseases. After these procedures, the lung experiences a compensatory growth, which can be studied in animal models such as rats. Aim: To develop a surgical model of lung lobectomy in rats. Material and Methods: Forty seven rats of the strain Rattus norvegicus were used. Animals were anesthetized with atropine, ketamine and xylacine. The airway was managed with a facial mask to avoid intubation. An anesthetic evaluation protocol was followed and animals were oxygenated using a cephalic veil. Forty rats were subjected to a right lobectomy and seven animals were sham operated. Rats subjected to lobectomy were sacrificed at one, two, three and four weeks after operation. Results: All operated rats survived. There were significant differences in the number of alveolar intersections among rats subjected to lobectomy and sacrificed at three weeks compared to sham operated animals, with a lower number of alveoli among the former. Conclusions: We were able to develop the model of lobectomy, however we failed to demonstrate a compensatory growth among rats subjected to lobectomy.

Búsqueda del ADN del virus HTLV-1 en biopsias de pacientes con linfoma cutáneo de células T / Detection of HTLV-1 DNA in biopsies of Chilean patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Background: Human T-lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) infection has been associated with the pathogenesis of cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL). Aim: To search for HTLV-1 DNA in skin biopsies of patients with CTCL. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using 25 biopsies of patients with CTCL. DNA was extracted from lymphoid tissue by microdissection. A nested PCR was conducted to detect HTLV-1 genome using primers for the tax region. As negative controls, four cases of superficial perivascular dermatitis were chosen. As positive controls, five cases of T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATCL) were studied. Results: A positive reaction was found in 3 of 25 cases. These biopsies corresponded to a case of Mycosis Fungoides, a case of CD30 (-) T-cell lymphoma and a case of lymphomatoid papulosis. Search was negative in the four cases of superficial perivascular dermatitis and positive in four cases of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATCL). Conclusions: HTLV-1 DNA search in tissues is a useful tool recommended to study T-cell lymphomas. HTLV-1 infection only occurs in sporadic cases but may contribute to tumor aggressiveness and prognosis.

Necrosis cutánea: un desafío para el médico / Skin necrosis: Report of eleven cases

Skin necrosis must be considered as a syndrome, because it is a clinical manifestation of different diseases. An early diagnosis is very important to choose the appropriate treatment. Therefore, its causes should be suspected and confirmed quickly. We report eleven patients with skin necrosis seen at our Department, caused by different etiologies: Warfarin-induced skin necrosis, loxoscelism, diabetic microangiopathy, ecthyma gangrenosum, disseminated intravascular coagulation, necrotizing vasculitis, paraneoplastic extensive necrotizing vasculitis, livedoid vasculopathy, necrotizing fasciitis, necrosis secondary to the use of vasoactive drugs and necrosis secondary to the use of cocaine. We also report the results of our literature review on the subject.

Sarcoma de Kaposi en mucosas en pacientes PPVI: a propósito de 2 casos: revisión de bibliografía / Kaposi´s Sarkoma (KS) in patiens living with HIV: apropos of 2 cases: review of literature

El Sarcoma de Kaposi (SK) es un tumor vascular que puede comprometer la piel. En 1872 el dermatólogo vienés Moritz Kaposi describió por primera esta entidad. Tradicionalmente se la ha considerado un proceso crónico, decurso lento, que afecta sobre todo a hombres ancianos del este de Europa. No recibió mayor atención hasta que apareció como epidemia en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) en la década de los 80 y fue reconocido como marcador clínico de SIDA. Describimos nuestra experiencia en la Unidad de Atención y Control en Salud Sexual (UNACESS) de dos varones PPVI: uno con lesión en cara mucosa del prepucio y otro con lesiones palatinas.

Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS) is a vascular tumor that can involve the skin. In 1872 the Viennese dermatologist Moritz Kaposi first described this entity. Traditionally it has been considered a chronic, slow flowing, mainly affecting elderly men of Eastern Europe. KS received no more attention until it appeared as an epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the 80s and was recognized as a clinical marker of AIDS. We describe our experience in Care and Control Unit Sexual Health (UNACESS) in two men living with VIH infection, one with penile mucosa injury and another with palatal lesions.

Pelo lanoso generalizado: reporte de un caso / Generalized woolly hair: case report

Introducción: El pelo lanoso (PL) es una rara alteración del tallo piloso que puede ser localizada o generalizada y puede asociarse a alteraciones cutáneas o extracutáneas. Objetivo: Analizar un cuadro clínico de muy escasa frecuencia y enfatizar la importancia del examen físico en el enfrentamiento de ésta. Caso clínico: Preescolar de tres años de edad con pelo fino, claro, corto y rizado. En los antecedentes familiares, destacaba la madre con historia de alopecia desde la infancia y disminución de la velocidad de crecimiento del pelo del cuero cabelludo; cuadro compatible con pelo lanoso generalizado forma hereditaria, sin anomalías asociadas. Conclusiones: El pelo lanoso es una rara anormalidad del tallo piloso. El diagnóstico de certeza se obtiene mediante la microscopía electrónica, sin embargo, el uso de la dermatoscopía constituye una buena herramienta diagnóstica en la práctica diaria. Puede asociarse a anomalías cutáneas y extracutáneas, por lo cual el enfrentamiento clínico y estudio complementario es primordial para descartar anomalías asociadas.

Introduction: Woolly hair (WH) is a rare abnormality of the hair shaft that can be localized or generalized and may be associated with cutaneous or extracutaneous abnormalities. Objective: To analyze a rare clinical case and emphasize the importance of physical examination. Case report: A three year old child with fine, light, short and curly hair is reported. Regarding family history, his mother reports alopecia since childhood and decreased growth rate of the hair of the scalp. The clinical picture is compatible with generalized hereditary woolly hair without associated anomalies. Conclusions: Woolly hair is a rare abnormality of the structure of the scalp hair. Electron microscopy allows the definitive diagnosis, however the use of dermoscopy is a practical and effective diagnostic tool in everyday practice.