Successful hair transplant of eyebrow alopecia areata.
BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata of the eyebrows can be difficult to treat. Intralesional triamcinolone or potent topical steroids are considered the mainstay of medical therapy. This case illustrates the results of an experimental hair transplant to the eyebrows following years of modest response to intralesional triamcinolone.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to ascertain the benefits of a hair transplant for chronic eyebrow alopecia areata not responding to appropriate medical therapy.


METHODS
A hair transplant was performed with tumescent anesthesia and a total of 85 mini and micrografts placed in the right eyebrow. Followup after the hair transplant occurs every 8 weeks.


RESULTS
The patient was free of eyebrow alopecia areata for 8 months following the initial hair transplant. Although the disease relapsed, hair growth is now manageable with intralesional cortisone injection performed six times per year.


CONCLUSIONS
For the first time in years, this patient was given 8 months of reprieve from his eyebrow alopecia areata and is currently well-maintained on monthly intralesional cortisone which originally was of only modest benefit. The patient is pleased with the outcome.
Barankin
Benjamin
B
University Dermatology Centre, 2-104 Clinical Sciences Building, Edmonton, T6G 2G3, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. benbarankin@yahoo.com
Taher
Muba
M
Wasel
Norman
N
D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003348:Cortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005138:Eyebrows; D006197:Hair / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003348:Cortisone