Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41723776›Full record

ArticleDermatology and therapy2026

Dermoscopy of Prurigo Nodularis/Lichen Simplex Chronicus of the Scalp: A Comparative Observational Study in Fair and Dark Skin.

Noemi Plozner, Michela Lai, Nkechi A Enechukwu, Federico Quadrelli, Giuseppe Stinco, Bianca Maria Piraccini, Michela Starace, Enzo Errichetti

Abstract read
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Article in Dermatology and therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Noemi Plozner *Institute of Dermatology, Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, Piazzale Santa Maria Della Misericordia, 15, 33100, Udine, Italy. noemiplozner@hotmail.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-0212-4818
Michela Lai *Skin Cancer Center, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Nkechi A EnechukwuDepartment of Internal Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University/Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Federico QuadrelliDermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Giuseppe StincoInstitute of Dermatology, Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, Piazzale Santa Maria Della Misericordia, 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
Bianca Maria PiracciniDermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Michela Starace *Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Enzo Errichetti *Institute of Dermatology, Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, Piazzale Santa Maria Della Misericordia, 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAlthough recognition of prurigo nodularis (PN) and lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) of the scalp is usually straightforward, they may sometimes pose difficulties in terms of differential diagnosis with other similar dermatoses. The aim of this observational retrospective study was to assess dermoscopic features of PN and LSC of the scalp across fair- and dark-skinned individuals and compare them with those of clinical mimickers.

methodsFair-skinned (Fitzpatrick phototypes I-III) and dark-skinned (Fitzpatrick phototypes IV-VI) patients with a histological diagnosis of PN/LSC of the scalp, along with controls, were considered. All the images were randomly evaluated by two independent investigators to identify findings according to standardized criteria. Interobserver agreement was evaluated through Cohen's kappa coefficient, while Fisher's exact test with p value set at 0.01 was used for comparative analyses between cases and controls.

resultsThe study included 79 cases, including 40 instances of PN/LSC of the scalp (27 with fair skin and 13 with dark skin) and 39 controls. The most common dermoscopic findings (> 1/3 of cases) of PN/LSC in both light and dark phototypes included sparse follicular plugs, broken hairs, purple structureless areas, broom-like hairs, and erosions. Additionally, purple dots, perivascular white halo and dotted vessels with unspecific distribution were also common in fair skin, while white lines (peripheral-radial) and structureless areas turned out to be as frequent in dark skin. Comparative analysis showed that dotted vessels, follicular plugs, broken hairs, broom-like hairs, purple structureless areas, and perivascular white halo were more common compared to control in light phototypes, whereas only erosions, peripheral white lines, and purple structureless areas reached statistical significance in dark-skinned patients (p < 0.01). Kappa values were 0.88 and 0.81 for fair and dark skin, respectively.

conclusionDermoscopy is a valuable adjunct in the non-invasive diagnosis of PN and LSC of the scalp, with good reproducibility across skin phototypes.

Indexed as

DiagnosisDifferential diagnosisLichen simplex chronicusPrurigo nodularisScalp dermatoses

Identifiers

PMID41723776
PMCPMC13013754

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