Lichen planopilaris

What is lichen planopilaris?

Lichen planopilaris is a rare inflammatory condition that results in patchy progressive permanent hair loss mainly on the scalp. Three forms are recognised:

• Classic lichen planopilaris, also known as follicular lichen planus
• Frontal fibrosing alopecia
• Graham Little syndrome

Who gets lichen planopilaris and why?

Lichen planopilaris usually affects young adult women, although the age range is wide and it also affects men. It commonly develops in association with lichen planus affecting the skin, mucosa and nails.

The cause of lichen planopilaris is unknown.

Although lichen planopilaris is rare, it is one of the common causes of scarring hair loss of the scalp.

Clinical features of lichen planopilaris

Lichen planopilaris typically presents as smooth white patches of scalp hair loss. No hair follicle openings can be seen in the areas of hair loss. At the edges of these patches, there may be scale and redness around each hair follicle. Hairs can be easily pulled out. It is multifocal and small areas may merge to form larger irregular areas.

Common sites of involvement are the sides, front and lower back of the scalp.

Symptoms are often absent, but they may include:

• Itch
• Pain
• Tenderness
• Discomfort
• Burning

Lichen planopilaris is usually slowly progressive.

Diffuse hair loss is uncommon.

Lichen planopilaris

Lichen planopilaris

Lichen planopilaris

How is lichen planopilaris diagnosed?

Lichen planopilaris is suspected on the clinical presentation and careful examination of the mouth, nails and skin for evidence of lichen planus elsewhere.

Trichoscopy reveals absent follicles, white dots, tubular perifollicular scale and perifollicular erythema.

The diagnosis may be confirmed on a scalp biopsy that includes hairs with surrounding redness and scale at the edge of an area of hair loss. Lichen planopilaris is an example of a primary lymphocytic folliculitis.

However, it is not always possible to make a diagnosis on biopsy. Biopsy from an already scarred area of hair loss is unhelpful. Where there is only patchy scarring hair loss and no evidence of inflammation the diagnosis may not be able to be confirmed.

Treatment of lichen planopilaris

Treatment should be sought and provided early as no treatment recovers hairs that have been lost and replaced by scarring. The aim of treatment is to slow the progression of the disease and relieve symptoms. Hair loss may continue, although at a slower rate.

Anti-inflammatory treatment options include:

• Corticosteroids – potent topical, intralesional, oral
• Topical tacrolimus
• Hydroxychoroquine
• Tetracycline eg doxycycline
• Acitretin
• Methotrexate
• Ciclosporin
• Mycophenolate mofetil
• Pioglitazone (an oral PPAR-γ agonist)

Response to treatment is variable and some published studies contradict others as to the efficacy. The best patients can expect is to stop the progression of hair loss and to minimise scalp discomfort.

A management protocol was suggested by Mirmirani et al in 2003:

• Make a diagnosis of lichen planopilaris clinically and with a scalp biopsy.
• The severity of symptoms, the extent of hair loss, and presence of disease activity are documented at each visit, approximately every 3 months.
• Oral hydroxychloroquine (usually 200 mg twice daily) is started after appropriate laboratory tests and eye check if the patient is symptomatic, has progressive hair loss or signs of active disease.
• Intralesional and potent topical corticosteroids may also be used.
• After 2-4 months, hydroxychloroquine is changed to ciclosporin (3-5mg/kg/d) if symptoms continue, the extent of hair loss progresses, or there are clinical signs of disease activity. Ciclosporin is used according to the ciclosporin consensus guidelines.

Since 2009, there have been several reports of the use of the antidiabetic agent pioglitazone (off-label) for the treatment of lichen planopilaris. Its efficacy has varied; up to 50–70% of patients have reduced symptoms, inflammation, and disease progression. Side effects include ankle swelling and weight gain. Adalimumab, a tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) inhibitor, has also been reported to be effective in a few patients.

Camouflage with careful hair styling and hair colouring. Hairpieces may be required for areas of permanent hair loss.

Surgery such as scalp reduction and hair transplantation has been used for end-stage disease with large areas of scarring but is not always successful.