title: Evaluation of Perifollicular Inflammation of Donor Area during Hair Transplantation in Androgenetic Alopecia and its Comparison with Controls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mild perifollicular inflammation is seen in both androgenetic alopecia (AGA) cases and normal controls, whereas moderate or dense inflammation with concentric layers of collagen, is seen in AGA cases but only in very few normal controls, and may lessen the response to topical minoxidil. Moderate or dense lymphocytic inflammation and perifollicular fibrosis have poor hair growth following transplantation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study is to evaluate the perifollicular lymphocytic inflammation and fibrosis in AGA patients during follicular unit hair transplantation (FUT) and its comparison in normal controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 21 male patients with AGA and 7 matched controls participated in the study. Histopathological analysis of biopsy specimens from donor strip of patients during the hair transplantation and two 4 mm punch biopsies on controls were performed. Morphometric analysis was performed and perifollicular fibrosis was scored based on the width of the condensed collagen at the lower infundibulum and isthmus from 0 to 3. Perifollicular infiltrate was also scored 0-3 and a total score of 3 or more out of 6 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly 76% of AGA patients had perifollicular fibrosis more than 50 μm at ×200 magnification. Almost 33.33% patients had moderate/dense perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate whereas none of the controls had it. Total score in AGA cases was significantly higher than controls (P = 0.012) using Chi-square test. Out of 21 patients, 13 had a score of 3 or more and were followed-up with monthly treatment with intralesional steroids using a dermaroller.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Histopathological evaluation of the donor area is a must during hair transplantation to evaluate the extent of perifollicular inflammation and achieve better results by following it up with treatment directed to decrease the inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Balakrishnan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nirmal
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Savitha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Somiah
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sarvajnamurthy A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sacchidanand
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Dayananda S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Biligi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Seetu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palo
keywords: Fibrosis; hair transplantation; inflammation