DermNet provides Google Translate, a free machine translation service. Note that this may not provide an exact translation in all languages

Translate

Pseudopelade of Brocq

Author: Dr Delwyn Dyall-Smith FACD, Dermatologist, 2011.


toc-icon
Table of contents
arrow-right-small

What is pseudopelade of Brocq?

Pseudopelade of Brocq is an unusual form of permanent hair loss from the scalp, the cause of which is unknown. This is a specific diagnosis reached after excluding known causes of patchy scarring alopecia (pseudopelade) such as lichen planopilaris and discoid lupus erythematosus.

Who gets pseudopelade of Brocq and why?

Pseudopelade of Brocq most commonly affects middle-aged and older women. However, it can present in both sexes and all age groups including children. It has rarely been reported to affect more than one family member.

The cause is unknown, as is the mechanism by which the hair loss occurs. Recent studies have shown the cells in the inflammatory infiltrate and the switched-on genes are different in pseudopelade of Brocq compared to lichen planopilaris and discoid lupus erythematosus, thus providing further evidence this is a distinct entity.

Pseudopelade of Brocq is not an inflammatory form of alopecia and the hair loss seems to be due to atrophy of the hair follicles rather than scarring.

What are the clinical features of pseudopelade of Brocq

Pseudopelade of Brocq is often found accidentally as a small patch of hair loss on the scalp. Single hairs may persist in the otherwise hairless patch. The hair loss usually begins at the vertex, the highest point on the scalp. The sides of the scalp (parietal scalp) is another area commonly involved. Rarely it has also been reported in the beard area.

The clinical features of the patch(es) of hair loss are:

  • Single or multiple
  • Smooth
  • Soft
  • Slightly depressed
  • Round or oval
  • Small
  • May merge to become larger and irregular in shape
  • Asymptomatic
  • Not scaly
  • Skin-coloured
  • May see pale red/pink around individual hairs initially
  • Hairs may be easily pulled from the edges if active

The bald areas have been described as looking like ‘footprints in the snow’.

The progress of pseudopelade of Brocq is unpredictable however it is generally a slow process. Some patients are left with only one small area of hair loss whereas for others it continues for many years resulting in a significant cosmetic defect.

Pseudopelade of Brocq

How is pseudopelade of Brocq diagnosed?

Pseudopelade of Brocq must be distinguished from ‘pseudopelade’, which is an umbrella term for any form of patchy scarring alopecia such as lichen planopilaris or discoid lupus erythematosus.

A scalp biopsy from a smooth patch shows a thin epidermis and sclerotic dermis with streamers of fibrosis down to the fat layer. There is no inflammation seen. Biopsy early in the process may show a small number of lymphocytes around the upper 2/3 of the hair follicle.

Braun-Falco (1986) proposed clinical and histological criteria for making the diagnosis.

Clinical criteria

  • Irregular and confluent patches of hair loss
  • Moderate atrophy (late stage)
  • Mild redness around hair follicles (early stage)
  • Female predominance (3:1)
  • A long course of more than 2 years
  • Slow progression
  • Spontaneous termination possible

Histological criteria

  • No marked inflammation
  • No widespread scarring
  • No significant plugging of hair follicles
  • No sebaceous (oil) glands
  • Normal epidermis
  • Fibrotic streamers in dermis

Immunohistochemistry

  • Negative

What is the treatment of pseudopelade of Brocq?

No treatment has yet been found to stop the process or to regain lost hair. Surgery may help to improve the cosmetic appearance once the condition is no longer active.

 

References

  • Braun-Falco O, Imai S, Schmoeckel C, Steger O, Bergner T. Pseudopelade of Brocq. Dermatologica 1986; 172: 18–23. PubMed
  • Madani S, Trotter MJ, Shapiro J. Pseudopelade of Brocq in beard area. J Am Acad Dermatol 2000; 42: 895–6. PubMed
  • Moretti S, Amato L, Massi D, Bianchi B, Gallerani I, Fabbri P. Evaluation of inflammatory infiltrate and fibrogenic cytokines in pseudopelade of Brocq suggests the involvement of T-helper 2 and 3 cytokines. Br J Dermatol 2004; 151: 84–90. PubMed
  • Rook Textbook of Dermatology 7th edn Chapter 63
  • Yu M, Bell RH, Ross EK, Lo BK, Isaac-Renton M, Martinka M, Haegert A, Shapiro J, McElwee KJ. Lichen planopilaris and pseudopelade of Brocq involve distinct disease associated gene expression patterns by microarray. J Dermatol Sci 2010; 57: 27–36. PubMed

On DermNet

Other websites

Books about skin diseases

 

Related information

Sign up to the newsletter