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| LETTER TO EDITOR |
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| Year : 2011 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 1 | Page : 40-41 |
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Congenital triangular alopecia: A close mimicker of alopecia areata
Lalit K Gupta, AK Khare, Anubhav Garg, Asit Mittal
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, RNT Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
| Date of Web Publication | 16-Jun-2011 |
Correspondence Address:
Lalit K Gupta
A - 3, Sai Villa, Opposite Head Post Office, Madhuvan, Udaipur - 313001, Rajasthan
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-7753.82135
How to cite this article:
Gupta LK, Khare A K, Garg A, Mittal A. Congenital triangular alopecia: A close mimicker of alopecia areata. Int J Trichol 2011;3:40-1 |
Sir,
A 13-year-old male child presented with a localized area of hair loss over the left fronto-temporal region since the age of 3 years. The patch had remained persistent since its appearance. There was no history of any trauma or absence of skin at the site of alopecia at birth. None of the family members had similar hair loss. The patient had been treated in the past with topical and intra-lesional steroid by various dermatologists as a case of alopecia areata without any improvement. Examination revealed a 2.0×2.5 cm patch of non-scarring alopecia over the left fronto-temporal region with its apex toward the vertex [Figure 1]. A few vellus hair were present in the patch. There was no scaling or erythema in the lesion. Relative fixity of the patch, triangular shape of alopecia, absence of exclamation hair and lack of response to any treatment in past led us to the diagnosis of congenital triangular alopecia. Parents did not give consent for biopsy confirmation. Counseling of the parents was done about the poor prospect of hair regrowth and option of hair transplantation in future. | Figure 1: Triangular patch of alopecia over the left fronto-temporal region
Click here to view |
Congenital triangular alopecia (CTA), also known as temporal triangular alopecia (TTA) or Brauer nevus, is a circumscribed, non-scarring form of alopecia present over the temporal region. [1] CTA was first reported by Sabouraud in 1905. [2] Around 52 cases have been reported so far. [3] It is characterized by triangular or lancet-shaped area of hair loss, usually unilaterally. [3],[4] CTA, as its name suggests, is most of the time not congenital, but usually manifests after 2 years of age. [5] It is likely to be noticed by parents only in childhood when the vellus are replaced by terminal hair. It may rarely appear in adulthood as well. [6] Androgenetic alopecia might overlap with this condition and pose diagnostic confusion as the child grows up. The cause of CTA remains unknown. It usually occurs sporadically, but may occur within families as a paradominant trait. [7] Histopathological examination shows normal number of hair follicles, all of which are vellus or indeterminate. [8] There is no specific treatment of this condition. Because CTA involves normal than inflamed skin, it does not respond to topical or intra-lesional steroids. [4] It is very likely for CTA to be missed and erroneously diagnosed as alopecia areata and treated as such inadvertently with steroids leading to their abuse and adverse effects. Hair transplantation can be offered to the patient. [2]
The case is being reported to familiarize clinicians about this rare condition that very closely mimics alopecia areata in order to prevent indiscriminate use of steroids.
 References | |  |
| 1. | García-Hernández MJ, Rodríguez-Pichardo A, Camacho F. Congenital triangular alopecia (Brauer nevus). Pediatr Dermatol 1995;12:301-3. 
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| 2. | Bargman H. Congenital temporal triangular alopecia. J Can Med Assoc 1984;131:1253-4
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| 3. | Bartels NG, Blume-Peytavi U. Hair loss in children. In: Blume-Peytavi U, Tosti A, Whiting DA, Trueb R, editors. Hair Growth and Disorders. 1 st ed. New Delhi: Springer (India); 2010. p. 273-309.
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| 4. | Elmer KB, George RM. Congenital triangular alopecia: A case report and review. Cutis 2002;69:255-6.
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| 5. | Yamazaki M, Irisawa R, Tsuboi R. Temporal triangular alopecia and a review of 52 past cases. J Dermatol 2010;37:360-2.
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| 6. | Trakimas CA, Sperling LC. Temporal triangular alopecia acquired in adulthood. J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;40:842-4.
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| 7. | Happle R. Congenital triangular alopecia may be categorized as a paradominant trait. Eur J Dermatol 2003;13:346-7.
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| 8. | Trakimas C, Sperling LC, Skelton HG 3rd, Smith KJ, Buker JL. Clinical and histologic findings in temporal triangular alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol 1994;31:205-9.
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[Figure 1]
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