A Study of Trichoscopic Findings in Scalp Alopecias and Its Effectiveness in a Tertiary Care Center in India

This study evaluated the effectiveness of trichoscopy, a non-invasive diagnostic technique, in diagnosing scalp alopecias among 90 patients at a tertiary care center in India. The majority of patients (85.5%) had non-cicatricial alopecia, with alopecia areata being the most common type. Trichoscopic findings such as black dots, broken hairs, and vellus hairs were significant in diagnosing different types of alopecia. Trichoscopy was particularly useful in distinguishing between non-cicatricial and cicatricial alopecia, with specific findings like hair shaft diameter variability indicating androgenetic alopecia. In cases where clinical diagnosis was uncertain, trichoscopy clarified the diagnosis in 29 out of 34 cases, reducing the need for biopsies. The study concluded that trichoscopy is a reliable tool for diagnosing various scalp alopecias, minimizing the need for invasive procedures, and aiding in clinical management.