Ann Dermatol.  2015 Feb;27(1):87-89. 10.5021/ad.2015.27.1.87.

Congenital Lipedematous Alopecia: Adding to the Differential Diagnosis of Congenital Alopecia

• Lee HE
• Kim SJ
• Im M
• Kim CD
• Seo YJ
• Lee JH
• Lee Y

• KMID: 2264844
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2015.27.1.87

Abstract

Lipedematous alopecia is a rare condition of unknown etiology characterized by a thick boggy scalp with varying degrees of hair loss. It is usually seen in adult African-American females, and a case in a 9-year-old was the youngest patient reported thus far. We report on the appearance of this condition in two children, a 6-year-old child and a 10-year-old child. Each presented with congenital patchy hair loss on the occipital area and the left temple. A boggy hairless scalp with soft swelling was detected in both patients. Histological examination showed increased thickness of the subcutaneous fat tissue with a decrease in hair follicles. These features were consistent with a diagnosis of lipedematous alopecia. We report two cases of congenital lipedematous alopecia, which has not been reported previously. Although congenital, these distinct clinical features should be kept in mind in the diagnosis of alopecic hair loss.

Keyword

Alopecia; Congenital; Edema; Scalp; Subcutaneous fat

MeSH Terms

Adult
Alopecia*
Child
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential*
Edema
Female
Hair
Hair Follicle
Humans
Scalp
Subcutaneous Fat

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Bogginess of the scalp and hairless patches in two children since birth. (A) Occipital area of the 6-year-old girl and (B) at the age of 1 year. (C) Left temporal area of the 10-year-old girl.

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  Fig. 2 Thickened layers of mature subcutaneous fat with a decreased number of hair follicles in both patients. Scalp tissue specimens from (A) the 6-year-old girl (H&E, ×40) and (B) the 10-year-old girl (H&E, ×40).

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