A case of trichorrhexis nodosa

Abstract

We report a case of trichorrhexis nodosa. A 27-year-old female presented with white nodules of hair that were easily broken for 17 years. Dermatological examination showed that the hair was sparse, dry, and there were many tiny granular white nodules densely distributed along the hair shaft, and the hair was easily broken when pulled lightly. Dermoscopy examination showed that the lesions were white nodules with thick middle and thin ends. Optical microscopic examination showed that the hair cuticle was discontinuous, dry and dull, and many broken filamentous fibers spread outward, like two "brooms" or "paint brushes" inserted into each other. Scanning electron microscopic examination showed that the central hair cuticle disappeared, the cortical fibers were broken, uneven in thickness, and some of them expanded or curled outward. The diagnosis was trichorrhexis nodosa.

Keywords

• trichorrhexis nodosa
• acquired
• scanning electron microscope