A 58-year-old postmenopausal woman presents with progressive recession of the frontal hairline over two years, with loss of follicular openings, perifollicular erythema around remaining hairs, and complete loss of both eyebrows. The condition described is a recognised variant of:
- A Frontal fibrosing alopecia, a variant of lichen planopilaris ✓
- B Telogen effluvium
- C Alopecia areata
- D Androgenetic alopecia
Correct answer: A. Frontal fibrosing alopecia, a variant of lichen planopilaris
Explanation
Frontal fibrosing alopecia is considered a variant of lichen planopilaris, occurring chiefly in postmenopausal women, with symmetrical frontotemporal recession, perifollicular erythema and hyperkeratosis, and characteristic eyebrow loss. Alopecia areata spares follicular ostia and shows exclamation mark hairs, while androgenetic alopecia retains follicular openings without scarring. Because the process is cicatricial, early treatment aims to halt progression rather than regrow hair.
Reference: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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