[Tinea capitis. Dermoscopic findings in 37 patients].
BACKGROUND
Tinea capitis is a common fungal infection in children. Diagnosis is confirmed by mycological study, including direct examination of the samples with potassium hydroxide/chlorazol black and culture. Previous studies have reported the presence of "comma hairs" and "corkscrew hairs", as well as short hairs and black dots.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the dermoscopic patterns in the trichoscopic examination in patients with tinea capitis.


METHODS
A descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study was conducted on 37 patients with tinea capitis, studied during May, 2012, at Dr. Manuel Gea González General Hospital in Mexico, and the Instituto Dermatológico y Cirugía de Piel Dr. Huberto Bogaert Díaz, in the Dominican Republic. Clinical, mycological and dermoscopic evaluations were performed.


RESULTS
Of the 37 patients included, 28 were of mixed race from Dominican Republic and 9 mixed race cases from Mexico. Seventy six percent were male and 24% female, and 94% were children. The following dermoscopic patterns were confirmed: "comma hairs" (41%), "corkscrew hairs" (22%), short hairs (49%), and black dots (33%). The presence of scales (89%), peripilar casts (46%), alopecia (65%), pustules (8%), and meliceric crusts (16%), were also observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Dermoscopy in tinea capitis showed the presence of "comma hairs", and "corkscrew hairs". Scales, peripilar casts and alopecia were also found. It would be desirable to establish this diagnostic tool, particularly when an optical microscope or a mycology reference laboratory are not available.
Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Dr. Manuel Gea González, Ciudad de México, México. Electronic address: eyem_96@yahoo.com.
Jisel
J
Arrazola-Guerrero
Instituto Dermatológico Huberto Bogaert Díaz, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana.
Rafael
R
Isa-Isa
Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Dr. Manuel Gea González, Ciudad de México, México.
Edoardo
E
Torres-Guerrero
Sección de Micología, Hospital Dr. Manuel Gea González, Ciudad de México, México.
Roberto
R
Arenas
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D046169:Dermoscopy; D004293:Dominican Republic; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008864:Microsporum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014006:Tinea Capitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000302:isolation & purification
Dermatoscopia; Dermoscopy; Pelos «en coma»; Pelos «en sacacorchos»; Tinea capitis; Tiña de la cabeza; “Comma hairs”; “Corkscrew hairs”