Alopecias: Practical Tips for the Management of Biopsies and Main Diagnostic Clues for General Pathologists and Dermatopathologists

Abstract

Accurately diagnosing specific variants of alopecia remains challenging for pathologists, potentially delaying appropriate therapeutic decisions by dermatologists. Issues such as limited knowledge on optimal biopsy types and processing methods add complexity. Understanding the normal histology of hair follicles and their changes throughout the follicular cycle further complicates microscopic evaluation. This paper aims to summarize these characteristics and highlight essential diagnostic clues for pathologists to confidently suggest a diagnosis, therefore playing a key role in alopecia diagnosis. Ongoing education, collaboration with dermatologists, and staying up to date on advancements is crucial for the accurate diagnosis and effective management of different types of alopecia.

Keywords

• alopecia
• cicatricial alopecia
• follicular cycle
• follicle histopathology
• hair
• hair loss