Videodermoscopy of eyelashes in Netherton syndrome

Rapid and Easy Diagnosis of Netherton Syndrome with Dermoscopy

“…8 Neri and colleagues demonstrated that all three findings could be visualized in eyelashes. 6 It is not exactly known how the matchstick sign is formed. Several hair samples might be necessary before obtaining the diagnostic specimen.7 Moreover, hair growth is sparse, and hair shaft abnormal ities are not usually detectable in the first months of life in affected children and increase with age.…”

“…This suggests a reduced crosslinkage of keratin structures and a weaker coherence of cortical cells. 6 When hair breaks at the point of invagination, the proximal shaft with its cup-shaped end remains. This appearance is named ''golf tee,'' a term coined by de Berker and colleagues in 1995.…”

“…7 The golf tee appearance has been described by other authors as well. 2,6,8 Goujon and colleagues introduced the term ''matchstick'' to describe a broken hair shaft with a bulging end. 8 Neri and colleagues demonstrated that all three findings could be visualized in eyelashes.…”

“…8 Neri and colleagues demonstrated that all three findings could be visualized in eyelashes. 6 Although a single bamboo hair is sufficient to establish the diagnosis in Netherton syndrome, this pathognomonic hair feature is not easy to find. Several hair samples might be necessary before obtaining the diagnostic specimen.…”

Role of Trichoscopy in Children's Scalp and Hair Disorders

“…Only a few shafts may exhibit these alterations, highlighting the advantage of dermoscopy over microscopy: the entire scalp, eyebrows, and even eyelashes may be analyzed in a short time. Neri et al demonstrated this point in a recent case report, describing only subtle alterations in a patient's eyelashes.…”