Background: There are diverse causes of cicatricial alopecia characterized by lack of follicular ostia and irreversible loss of hair. While clinical differentiation between the causes may be difficult, particularly with regard to lichen planus (LP), lupus erythematosus (LE) and pseudopelade of Brocq (PB), it has been suggested that both histopathologic examination and direct immunofluorescence studies (DIF) are necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of DIF studies in addition to histopathology in patients with cicatricial alopecia as a clinical feature. Methods: 136 scalp biopsy specimens received for histopathology and DIF during a 5-year period were reviewed. Results: Definitive diagnosis was achieved by careful evaluation of scalp biopsies. The most prevalent diagnoses in order of frequency were LP (26%), LE (21%) and folliculitis decalvans (20%). PB was diagnosed in 10%. In most cases, the diagnosis could be made on the basis of histopathology and independently of DIF. Characteristic DIF patterns showed high specificity, but low sensitivity for LP, and high specificity and sensitivity for LE. The DIF pattern in PB showed no difference to LP. Conclusions: Histopathology permits diagnosis in the majority of cicatricial alopecias. DIF is of value in histopathologically inconclusive cases, particularly when LE is in question.
Purpose To compare 4 optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) devices for foveal avascular zone (FAZ) measurements in healthy subjects. Methods The central retinas of 24 eyes of 12 healthy subjects were scanned with 4 different OCT-A devices (Optovue RTVue-XR, Zeiss Cirrus 5000-HD-OCT, a prototype Spectralis OCT2, Heidelberg Engineering, and Topcon DRI-OCT Triton Swept-source OCT). For the Topcon, Zeiss, and Optovue devices, 3-mm and 6-mm scans were performed. The Heidelberg device only provided 4-mm scans. En-face OCT-A images of the superficial and deep capillary plexus of the macular area were generated. The FAZ areas were measured and compared. Results Twenty-four healthy eyes were included. OCT-A devices showed significant differences in FAZ measurements. The Zeiss OCT-A device measured the smallest values for foveal avascular area (mean 218.7 mm2), followed by the Optovue device (229.6 mm2), the Topcon device (239.3 mm2), and the Heidelberg device (250.4 mm2). Differences were statistically significant for following devices: Heidelberg versus Optovue (p < 0.001), Heidelberg versus Zeiss (p < 0.001), Topcon versus Zeiss (p < 0.001), and Optovue versus Zeiss (p = 0.046). For the Optovue device, FAZ measurements were significantly different between 3 mm (mean 220 mm2) and 6 mm (mean 239.3 mm2, p = 0.007) scans. All other devices showed no significant difference within scan modes. Conclusion Current OCT-A devices provide images that allow such measurements, but values showed significant differences between devices and, for the Optovue instrument, even within scan modes. The data for OCTA measurements cannot be transferred interchangeably between the devices. Therefore, a patient should always be measured with the same device.
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