Alopecia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Alopecia, including details on hair loss, baldness, treatment, causes, prevention.

A case-series of 29 patients with lichen planopilaris: the Cleveland Clinic Foundation experience on evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.

Cevasco NC, Bergfeld WF, Remzi BK, de Knott HR

Department of Dermatology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH, USA.

BACKGROUND: Lichen planopilaris results in scaling, atrophy, and permanent alopecia with scarring and is thought to be autoimmune in origin. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical findings of patients with LPP so as to aid in the evaluation and diagnosis of the disease and to review the current effective therapies. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 29 patients with LPP that were seen in the Department of Dermatology at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation between 1992 and 2003. RESULTS: Good responses in the active perimeter were seen with topical steroids, intralesional steroids, and tetracycline and in the inactive end-stage with hair transplants and scalp reductions. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by being retrospective in nature. CONCLUSION: Although topical high-potency and intralesional corticosteroids remain the mainstay for treatment of LPP, the use of tetracycline in this disease may be more helpful than once thought.

Published 18 June 2007 in J Am Acad Dermatol, 57(1): 47-53.
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