فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Background: Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) is a form of autoimmune scarring alopecia that is occurs more frequently in middle-aged female patients. Histopathological examination plays a key role in differentiating LPP from other types of scarring alopecia. Special histopathological stains and immunofluorescence studies can aid in achieving a more accurate diagnosis. This study was performed to identify the primary histologic features of LPP, with a particular focus on mucinous fibroplasia, to improve differentiation from other causes of scarring alopecia.Methods: Histopathologic features of vertical-section scalp specimens from 149 confirmed cases of LPP were reviewed in a cross-sectional study during five years. Hematoxylin & Eosin, Colloidal iron and Trichrome staining were performed on all cases at our center.Results: The mean age of patients was 42.24 ± 12.17 years, with 45% of cases aged ≤ 40 years. Male patients accounted for 51.7% of cases. Female patients aged ≤ 40 years were significantly more frequently affected compared to male patients in the same group (P = 0.036). The most frequent histopathologic findings included orthokeratosis (80.5%), focal acanthosis with anastomosing rete ridge (87.9%), basal vacuolar changes (87.9%), dermal fibrotic bands (98%) and peri-follicular mucinous fibroplasia (90.6%). Melanin incontinence was significantly more frequent in men than in women (P = 0.004). Isolated arrector pili muscle was detected more frequently in patients aged > 40 years, showing a significant difference (P = 0.03).Conclusions: This study confirmed many previously reported findings. However, men were more frequently affected than women, and perifollicular mucinous fibroplasia was more commonly detected using Colloidal-iron staining compared to Alcian-blue staining, which had been used in prior reports.