title: Trichoscopy in genetic hair shaft abnormalities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diagnosis of hair shaft abnormalities is based on light microscopic examination of more than 50 plucked hairs. The aim of this study was to verify whether hair shaft abnormalities may be visualized by trichoscopy (hair and scalp videodermoscopy) and to analyze trichoscopic features of common genetic hair shaft dysplasias.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with known genetic hair shaft disorders were included into the study. Trichoscopy was performed with the use of Fotofinder II videodermoscope. Images performed at 20-fold and 70-fold magnification were analysed. In selected cases 160-fold magnification was used for better visualization of hair shafts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results show that characteristic light microscopy features of Netherton syndrome, monilethrix, woolly hair syndrome, pili torti, pili annulati and trichothiodystrophy may be visualized by trichoscopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genetic hair shaft abnormalities may be diagnosed by trichoscopy in a single diagnostic session without the need of plucking or cutting them for diagnostic purposes.
authors: Department of Dermatology, CSK MSWiA, Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Adriana
authors: A
authors: Rakowska
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Slowinska
authors: Elzbieta
authors: E
authors: Kowalska-Oledzka
authors: Lidia
authors: L
authors: Rudnicka