title: Validity of trichoscopy in the diagnosis of primary cicatricial alopecias.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are limited data on the validity of dermatoscopy in primary cicatricial alopecias (PCAs) and its subtypes, including lichen planopilaris and discoid lupus erythematosus. Trichoscopic features of PCAs, their prevalence, and validity were evaluated in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients with PCA underwent dermatoscopy. Biopsy specimens were obtained after the site was marked with a dermatoscope. The control group comprised 100 patients with non-cicatricial alopecia and 100 normal individuals. Finally, the prevalence, sensitivity, and specificity of trichoscopic features were evaluated using SPSS and Stata software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The absence of follicular opening, perifollicular scale, and presence of one scarring pattern or white patch were sensitive and specific patterns in the trichoscopy of PCAs. The presence of tortuous branching vessels and follicular keratotic plugging was 100% specific for a diagnosis of discoid lupus erythematosus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some trichoscopic features can help a dermatologist to differentiate between non-cicatricial alopecia and PCA. Moreover, a group of dermatoscopic features can be helpful in the diagnosis of PCA subtypes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Robabeh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abedini
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatopathology, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Kambiz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamyab Hesari
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daneshpazhooh
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahshid Sadat
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ansari
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.|Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid Reza
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Tohidinik
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ansarima66@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mahsa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ansari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology; D046169:Dermoscopy; D005260:Female; D005499:Folliculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008179:Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult