Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

Excerpt

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) was described by Kossarden in 1994 . It is characterized by band-like cicatricial alopecia of the frontotemporal zone of the scalp. There may be signs of perifollicular inflammation at the edge of the hairy region. Alopecia of the eyebrows is frequently associated, and axillary, pubic, facial, and hairy lesions of the limbs could be involved. Histopathological examination shows a lymphocytic infiltrate around the isthmus and infundibulum, associated with a decrease in the number of follicles, which are replaced by fibrosis . FFA is a special form of lichen planopilaris (LPP) affecting the frontal area in women, most often after menopause. Its description in humans is recent, and the recognition of family cases is newly described.