Pili annulati

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Pili pseudoannulati)

{{Infobox medical condition (new) | name = Pili annulati | synonyms = | image = | caption = | pronounce = | field = | symptoms = | complications = | onset = | duration = | types = | causes = | risks = | diagnosis = | differential = | prevention = | treatment = | medication = | prognosis = | frequency = | deaths = Alternate names Ringed hair

Definition[edit | edit source]

Pili annulati is a hair disorder. In pili annulati, affected hair has a pattern of light and dark banding.


Epidemiology[edit | edit source]

  • The prevalence of pili annulati is currently unknown.
  • Since being first described in 1866, there are reports of approximatively 50 cases in the literature.

Cause[edit | edit source]

  • A locus responsible for pili annulati was mapped on the end of the telomeric region of chromosome 12q (24.32–24.33), but the responsible gene for the disease is not yet completely identified.
  • So far, a critical region of 2.9 Mb containing 36 candidates genes has been defined by recombination events.
  • A report exists of a case of pili annulati associated with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome caused by a mutation in RECQL4.

Inheritance[edit | edit source]

Autosomal dominant pattern, a 50/50 chance.
  • The condition runs in an autosomal dominant fashion in some families.
  • Reduced penetrance and variable expression has been described. Sporadic cases have also been reported.

Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]

  • People with pili annulati may describe their hair as "striped" or as having silvery beads.
  • Pili annulati typically involves 20-80% of scalp hair, however it can involve facial and body hair as well.
  • Affected hairs may be more prone to breakage.
  • It can be seen with the naked eye, however it may be more difficult to see in people with dark hair.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

  • Light microscopy shows a characteristic appearance with alternating bright and dark bands in the hair shaft.
  • Transmission electron microscopy of affected hairs shows a normal medulla with clusters of intermittent air-filled cavities within the cortex of the hair shafts.
  • Scanning electron microscopy reveals a "cobblestoned" and fluted cuticle.
  • Trichoscopy represents a simple and rapid method that enables the practitioners to establish the diagnosis of pili annulati without the need to pluck hairs.[1][1].

Treatment[edit | edit source]

  • Treatment in pili annulati is often not required as it is a benign condition in which patients rarely seek medical attention.
  • The shiny appearance of the hair is infrequently bothersome, and some patients even consider it attractive.
  • There have been a few reports of a disappearance of the "ringed" appearance of the hair after daily use of topical minoxidil.
  • In rare forms associated with hair breakage and fragility, gentle hair care is the recommendation.

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

Prognosis of pili annulati is excellent as it is a benign condition that doesn’t affect the quality of life of affected patients.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Chabchoub I, Souissi A. Pili Annulati. [Updated 2020 Jun 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540981/



Contributors: Deepika vegiraju