Clinicopathological Observation of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

Jeong, Ki Heon; Lew, Bark Lynn; Sim, Woo Young

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), typically observed in elderly women, is characterized by a band of frontal or frontoparietal hair recession with scarring and a marked decrease, or a complete loss of the eyebrows.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical and histopathological features, and response to treatment of FFA in Korean patients.
METHODS
A total of 7 female patients, diagnosed as FFA at our department from 2003 through 2006, were evaluated.
RESULTS
All patients presented with a band of symmetric recession of the frontoparietal hairline. Four patients (57.1%) had symmetric loss of lateral eyebrows. Two patients (28.6%) were premenopausal. The histologic features were similar in all patients with a reduction of the number of hair follicles, and a perifollicular lymphocytic infiltration with lamellar fibrosis limited to the upper portions of the follicles. The progression of the condition stopped in all patients after topical steroid treatment.
CONCLUSION
Cases of FFA affected in premenopausal female patients drove us to consider that this condition is not exclusive to postmenopausal females. To make a diagnosis of FFA, we should remind ourselves of the typical clinical and pathologic features. Further studies are necessary to confirm the possible role of treatment in FFA and stop the progression in the early stages of FFA.