A case-series of 29 patients with lichen planopilaris: the Cleveland Clinic Foundation experience on evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Lichen planopilaris results in scaling, atrophy, and permanent alopecia with scarring and is thought to be autoimmune in origin.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical findings of patients with LPP so as to aid in the evaluation and diagnosis of the disease and to review the current effective therapies.

METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 29 patients with LPP that were seen in the Department of Dermatology at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation between 1992 and 2003.

RESULTS: Good responses in the active perimeter were seen with topical steroids, intralesional steroids, and tetracycline and in the inactive end-stage with hair transplants and scalp reductions.

LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by being retrospective in nature.

CONCLUSION: Although topical high-potency and intralesional corticosteroids remain the mainstay for treatment of LPP, the use of tetracycline in this disease may be more helpful than once thought.