Through the Lens
Scanty, short scalp hair along with keratotic papular lesions on the scalp of a 7-year-old boy Tulika Rai, Satyendra Kumar Singh Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
A 7-year-old boy presented in our skin OPD with scanty, brittle, and short scalp hair since birth. There was no history of consanguinity in his parents and no family member had similar disease. On light microscopic examination, there was characteristic beading and internodal thinning of hair shaft. There were multiple, keratotic papules on the entire scalp which was extending to the forehead and neck [Figure 1]. Detailed physical examination was done and no dental defects or mental retardation was found. Monilethrix is a rare condition, characterized by the presence of beaded shaft of the scalp hair. Hair shaft shows a beaded appearance due to
Access this article online Website: www.idoj.in DOI: 10.4103/2229-5178.137812
alternate zones of spindle-like thickening and thinning placed about 0.7 to 1 mm apart. Swelling represents normal part of the hair, whereas narrowing part is abnormal. It is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and rarely can be autosomal recessive.[1] These changes are usually associated with a follicular hyperkeratosis or keratosis pilaris.[2] Its pedigree presentation is suggestive of hereditary transmission. One case of monilethrix with pedigree was reported by Solomon and Green.[3] Many therapies like oral steroids, retinoids, and immunosuppressive drugs are suggested.[3] In our case, there was no similar illness in family members. It was a sporadic case. We have given low dose isotretinoin to the patient (0.5 mg/kg body weight) and the patient is on follow-up.
Quick Response Code:
REFERENCES 1.
2.
Address for correspondence: Dr. Tulika Rai, C-24, Swastik Towers, Lanka, Varanasi - 221 005, India. E-mail: raitulika@gmail. com
360
3.
Dawber RP, Ebling FJ, Wojnarowska FT. Disorders of Hair. In: Champion RH, Burton JL, Ebling FJ, editors. Textbook of Dermatology. 5th ed, Vol. 4. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publication; 1992. p. 2607. Raval RC, Bilimoria FE. Monilethrix in pedigree. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 1996;62:388-9. Solomon IL, Greem OC. Monilethrix. N Engl J Med 1963;269:1279-85.
Cite this article as: Rai T, Singh SK. Scanty, short scalp hair along with keratotic papular lesions on the scalp of a 7-year-old boy. Indian Dermatol Online J 2014;5:360.
Figure 1: Keratotic papular lesions with scanty, short, brittle hair on the scalp
Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None declared.
Indian Dermatology Online Journal - July-September 2014 - Volume 5 - Issue 3
Copyright of Indian Dermatology Online Journal is the property of Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
Scanty, short scalp hair along with keratotic papular lesions on the scalp of a 7-year-old boy Tulika Rai, Satyendra Kumar Singh Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
A 7-year-old boy presented in our skin OPD with scanty, brittle, and short scalp hair since birth. There was no history of consanguinity in his parents and no family member had similar disease. On light microscopic examination, there was characteristic beading and internodal thinning of hair shaft. There were multiple, keratotic papules on the entire scalp which was extending to the forehead and neck [Figure 1]. Detailed physical examination was done and no dental defects or mental retardation was found. Monilethrix is a rare condition, characterized by the presence of beaded shaft of the scalp hair. Hair shaft shows a beaded appearance due to
Access this article online Website: www.idoj.in DOI: 10.4103/2229-5178.137812
alternate zones of spindle-like thickening and thinning placed about 0.7 to 1 mm apart. Swelling represents normal part of the hair, whereas narrowing part is abnormal. It is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and rarely can be autosomal recessive.[1] These changes are usually associated with a follicular hyperkeratosis or keratosis pilaris.[2] Its pedigree presentation is suggestive of hereditary transmission. One case of monilethrix with pedigree was reported by Solomon and Green.[3] Many therapies like oral steroids, retinoids, and immunosuppressive drugs are suggested.[3] In our case, there was no similar illness in family members. It was a sporadic case. We have given low dose isotretinoin to the patient (0.5 mg/kg body weight) and the patient is on follow-up.
Quick Response Code:
REFERENCES 1.
2.
Address for correspondence: Dr. Tulika Rai, C-24, Swastik Towers, Lanka, Varanasi - 221 005, India. E-mail: raitulika@gmail. com
360
3.
Dawber RP, Ebling FJ, Wojnarowska FT. Disorders of Hair. In: Champion RH, Burton JL, Ebling FJ, editors. Textbook of Dermatology. 5th ed, Vol. 4. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publication; 1992. p. 2607. Raval RC, Bilimoria FE. Monilethrix in pedigree. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 1996;62:388-9. Solomon IL, Greem OC. Monilethrix. N Engl J Med 1963;269:1279-85.
Cite this article as: Rai T, Singh SK. Scanty, short scalp hair along with keratotic papular lesions on the scalp of a 7-year-old boy. Indian Dermatol Online J 2014;5:360.
Figure 1: Keratotic papular lesions with scanty, short, brittle hair on the scalp
Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None declared.
Indian Dermatology Online Journal - July-September 2014 - Volume 5 - Issue 3
Copyright of Indian Dermatology Online Journal is the property of Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
