Poliosis circumscripta: Overview and underlying causes

Although traditionally known as “white forelock,” poliosis circumscripta, defined as a localized patch of white hair in a group of hair follicles, can involve any hairy area on the body including the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. Microscopically, poliosis demonstrates either decreased or absent me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2013-10, Vol.69 (4), p.625-633
Main Authors: Sleiman, Rima, MD, Kurban, Mazen, MD, Succaria, Farah, MD, Abbas, Ossama, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Algorithms
Alopecia Areata - epidemiology
Alopecia Areata - pathology
Biopsy, Needle
Causality
Comorbidity
Dermatology
Female
Hair Diseases - epidemiology
Hair Diseases - metabolism
Hair Diseases - pathology
Hair Follicle - pathology
Humans
Hypopigmentation - epidemiology
Hypopigmentation - metabolism
Hypopigmentation - pathology
Immunohistochemistry
Male
Melanins - metabolism
Melanocytes - pathology
Piebaldism - epidemiology
Piebaldism - metabolism
Piebaldism - pathology
Pigmentation Disorders - metabolism
Pigmentation Disorders - physiopathology
poliosis
poliosis circumscripta
Prognosis
Risk Assessment
Tuberous Sclerosis - epidemiology
Tuberous Sclerosis - metabolism
Tuberous Sclerosis - pathology
Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome - epidemiology
Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome - pathology
Waardenburg Syndrome - epidemiology
Waardenburg Syndrome - pathology
white forelock
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Description
Summary:Although traditionally known as “white forelock,” poliosis circumscripta, defined as a localized patch of white hair in a group of hair follicles, can involve any hairy area on the body including the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. Microscopically, poliosis demonstrates either decreased or absent melanin and/or melanocytes in the hair bulbs of the affected hair follicles. Classically, poliosis is known to occur in the setting of several genetic syndromes including piebaldism, Waardenburg, and tuberous sclerosis. In addition, poliosis has been described in association with various acquired conditions. These include inflammatory conditions, benign and malignant neoplastic entities that are mainly melanocytic, medications, and others. In this review, we aim to describe the different conditions where poliosis may be encountered, with the aim of helping the clinician to better evaluate any patient presenting with poliosis.
ISSN:0190-9622
1097-6787
DOI:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.05.022