CASE REPOR T
JEADV (2005) 19, 118– 119 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2004.01104.x
Familial eyebrow diffuse alopecia
Blackwell Publishing, Ltd.
P Öztaß,*† F Çatal,‡ U Dilmen‡ †Ankara Numune Education Hospital Dermatology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey and ‡Fatih University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatry, Ankara, Turkey. *Corresponding author, Kizilirmak mahallesi 44. cadde 27/19, Cukurambar 06520 Ankara Turkey, tel. +90 3122200171; fax +90 312419705; E-mail:
[email protected]
ABSTRAC T Eyebrows are important structures both cosmetically and functionally. Diffuse alopecia of the eyebrows (sparseness of the eyebrows) may be seen in many acquired or congenital conditions. In this article, a family with diffuse eyebrow alopecia is reported. Key words: familial, eyebrow, alopecia Received: 2 April 2004; accepted: 13 April 2004
Case report A 7-year-old girl presented to Fatih University Pursaklar outpatient clinic with sparsely localized thin eyebrows, which she had had since she was born. On dermatological examination, the eyebrows were found to be more sparse on the lateral sides than the medial sides (fig. 1). No pathological finding was detected in the eyebrow region. The eyebrow and hair’s microscopic investigation were both normal. The distribution and density of the body hair was normal. The same eyebrow findings were also found in the patient’s mother who was 42 years old and the older sister who was 18 years old. No accompanying dermatological problem was seen in the mother and the sister. From the family history, it was learnt that, the maternal grandfather who was dead had the same type of sparse eyebrows. Routine laboratory tests (complete blood count, hepatic and liver functions, urine analysis, abdominal ultrasound) were all normal in all three members of the family. Lymphocyte subtypes were within the normal range and autoantibodies were negative. The serum IgE level of the patient was also normal.
Discussion Eyebrows are important structures both cosmetically and functionally. Protection from direct sunlight and avoidance of sweat drops coming into the eyes are the major functions of the eyebrows. Besides, eyebrow movements play an important part in facial mimics, changing with psychological mood and 118
fig. 1 The eyebrows of our patient showing sparseness especially in the lateral region.
personality. The colour, distribution and density of the eyebrows vary greatly among people. Diffuse alopecia of the eyebrows (sparseness of the eyebrows) may be seen in many acquired or congenital conditions. Ectodermal dysplasia, progeria, association with moniletrix or pili torti can be included in the congenital factors.1 Some dermatoses may primarily lead to the loss of eyebrows, such as alopecia areata. Eyebrows can be affected secondarily as in hypothyroidism, erythroderma, follicular mucinosis, secondary syphilis and leprosy. In some inflammatory dermatoses such as seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis, thinning of the eyebrows can also be seen. In some infectious dermatoses such as lupus vulgaris and © 2004 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Familial eyebrow diffuse alopecia 119
tertiary stage syphilis, cicatricial alopecia may affect the eyebrow hairs as well. We did not detect any dermatological pathology or accompanying systemic disease in our case. With a familial tendency from the anamnesis, we diagnosed our case as familial eyebrow diffuse alopecia. Garcia-Esquivel et al. defined ciliary and superciliary hypotrichosis as a distinct autosomal dominant trait.2 Some congenital eyebrow changes may be a diagnostic indicator of severe systemic diseases, such as duplication 10q syndrome, Waardenburg syndrome and Meige syndrome.3,4 We could not detect any systemic disorder in our case with physical and laboratory investigations. There are many treatment modalities used in eyebrow correction. If any underlying pathology could be detected, the best course of action is to treat the major disease. Some cosmetic approaches can be used for the hypoplasic areas of the eyebrows, such as lining with cosmetic pencils or permanent tattoos. Recently, surgical modalities are being used in severe cases; flaps from the temporal region or from the opposite eyebrows, or strip-shaped grafts are used.
In a review of the literature, only a few reports about eyebrow hypoplasia could be found. It is clear that, new reports are still needed to enhance our knowledge about this subject.
References 1 Zannolli R, Inchingolo G, Serracca L et al. Ectodermal dysplasia syndrome with eyebrow alopecia, ptosis, strabismus, nystagmus, joint laxity, cerebellar ataxia, and osteopenia. Am J Med Genet 2002; 113: 111–113. 2 Garcia-Esquivel L, Hernandez A, Reynoso MC et al. Ciliary and superciliary hypotrichosis. A distinct autosomal dominant trait. Ophthalmic Paediatr Genet 1986; 7: 77–79. 3 Ing EB, Ing SY, Ing TG, Sanger B. Congenitally anomalous tented eyebrows. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 2001; 17: 56 –57. 4 Rubegni P, Fimiani M, Tosi GM et al. Conjunctival edema and alopecia of the external third of the eyebrows in a patient with Meige syndrome. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophtalmol 2000; 238: 98 –100.
© 2004 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology JEADV (2005) 19, 118–119
