Comparative Study Between Clinical, Dermatoscopic, and Pathological Examinations in Patients With Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, Differentiating Melasma From Lichen Planus Pigmentosus

February 2022 in “ Brazilian Journal of Health Review ”

Najla Braz da Silva Vaz, Letícia Oba Galvão, Leonardo Spagnol Abraham, José Ricardo Lopes Filho, Virgínia Braz da Silva Vaz

frontal fibrosing alopecia lichen planus pigmentosus melasma dermatoscopic examination pathological examination clinical examination drug-induced dermatosis

TLDR Most cases were lichen planus pigmentosus, highlighting the need for accurate diagnosis for proper treatment.

The study compared clinical, dermatoscopic, and pathological examinations in 12 female patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia (AFF) and facial hyperpigmented spots to differentiate between lichen planus pigmentosus (LPPig) and melasma. Results showed that 66.5% of the cases were diagnosed as LPPig, 25% as melasma, and 8.5% as drug-induced dermatosis. The study highlighted the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by LPPig and melasma, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis for appropriate treatment, despite limited understanding of their pathophysiology and treatment options.

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