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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NCDermatology practical & conceptual

Trichoscopy of Scalp Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides: A Review of the Literature.

  • Francesca Pampaloni1,2
  • Stephano Cedirian1,2
  • Daniel Fernandez Melo3
  • Aurora Maria Alessandrini1,2
  • Alessandro Pileri1,2
  • Bianca Maria Piraccini1,2
  • Michela Starace1,2
  1. 1Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
  2. 2Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
  3. 3Dermatology Department, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Abstract

Background

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of T-cell lymphoma and is characterized by the infiltration of the epidermis by small to medium-sized atypical T lymphocytes. Folliculotropic MF (FMF) is a rare clinicopathological variant of MF characterized by preferential infiltration of the follicular epithelium. Clinical presentation of FMF can vary from follicle-based patches to plaques, nodules, and tumors, with cicatricial or not alopecia. The most involved site is the head, especially the face.Objective

The aim of this review was to assess the main trichoscopic findings reported in scalp lesions.Methods

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed was performed.Results

Ten studies were included; the trichoscopic features reported were decreased number of pilosebaceous units, dotted dilated vessels, white/yellow scales, and perifollicular halos. The main clinical presentation reported were patchy alopecia or generalized alopecia. Most of the studies included were case reports, so studies with larger sample sizes are strongly needed to make trichoscopy a complementary diagnostic tool to improve the differential diagnoses between FMF and other scalp disorders.Conclusion

Trichoscopy plays a key role in diagnosing FMF of the scalp, revealing characteristic features such as milky-red globules, orange-yellow patches, comedones, and distinct vascular patterns.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{pampaloni2026trichoscopy,
  title = {{Trichoscopy of Scalp Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides: A Review of the Literature.}},
  author = {Francesca Pampaloni and Stephano Cedirian and Daniel Fernandez Melo and Aurora Maria Alessandrini and Alessandro Pileri and Bianca Maria Piraccini and Michela Starace},
  journal = {Dermatology practical \& conceptual},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.5826/dpc.1603a6459},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42858382},
  note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Trichoscopy of Scalp Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides: A Review of the Literature.
AU  - Francesca Pampaloni
AU  - Stephano Cedirian
AU  - Daniel Fernandez Melo
AU  - Aurora Maria Alessandrini
AU  - Alessandro Pileri
AU  - Bianca Maria Piraccini
AU  - Michela Starace
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/31
JO  - Dermatology practical & conceptual
DO  - 10.5826/dpc.1603a6459
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42858382
AB  - Background  Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of T-cell lymphoma and is characterized by the infiltration of the epidermis by small to medium-sized atypical T lymphocytes. Folliculotropic MF (FMF) is a rare clinicopathological variant of MF characterized by preferential infiltration of the follicular epithelium. Clinical presentation of FMF can vary from follicle-based patches to plaques, nodules, and tumors, with cicatricial or not alopecia. The most involved site is the head, especially the face.Objective  The aim of this review was to assess the main trichoscopic findings reported in scalp lesions.Methods  A comprehensive literature search of PubMed was performed.Results  Ten studies were included; the trichoscopic features reported were decreased number of pilosebaceous units, dotted dilated vessels, white/yellow scales, and perifollicular halos. The main clinical presentation reported were patchy alopecia or generalized alopecia. Most of the studies included were case reports, so studies with larger sample sizes are strongly needed to make trichoscopy a complementary diagnostic tool to improve the differential diagnoses between FMF and other scalp disorders.Conclusion  Trichoscopy plays a key role in diagnosing FMF of the scalp, revealing characteristic features such as milky-red globules, orange-yellow patches, comedones, and distinct vascular patterns.
SN  - 2160-9381
ER  -