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How to Best Confirm Diagnosis Before Starting Treatment

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Hair and Scalp Treatments

Abstract

In many patients presenting with hair loss, diagnosis can be made (or at least suspected) through a detailed history and clinical examination. In doubtful cases, some diagnostic tools such as trichoscopy and trichogram may help to confirm diagnosis and, many times, avoid invasive methods, such as a cutaneous biopsy. When a biopsy is needed, trichoscopy is also helpful in selecting the best site for the procedure. This chapter will cover the basics of trichoscopic examination, trichoscopy-guided biopsies, and the trichogram.

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Suggested Reading

  • Rudnicka L, Olszewska M, Rakowska A. Atlas of trichoscopy: dermoscopy in hair and scalp disease. 1st ed. London: Springer-Verlag; 2012.

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  • Tosti A. Dermoscopy of the hair and nails. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2016.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology Santa Casa da Misericordia, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

    Rodrigo Pirmez

  2. Fredric Brandt Endowed Professor of Dermatology, Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Antonella Tosti

Authors
  1. Rodrigo Pirmez
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  2. Antonella Tosti
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fredric Brandt Endowed, Professor of Dermatology, Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Antonella Tosti

  2. Dermatoncology & Trichology Clinic, National University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico

    Daniel Asz-Sigall

  3. Department of Dermatology, Santa Casa da Misericordia, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

    Rodrigo Pirmez

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Pirmez, R., Tosti, A. (2020). How to Best Confirm Diagnosis Before Starting Treatment. In: Tosti, A., Asz-Sigall, D., Pirmez, R. (eds) Hair and Scalp Treatments. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21555-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21555-2_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-21554-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-21555-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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