Congenital Hypertrichosis Lanuginosa Workup

  • Author: Sarah K Taylor, MD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 10, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

  • No laboratory tests are indicated for patients with congenital hypertrichosis.
  • The diagnosis of congenital hypertrichosis lanuginosa (CHL) is based on clinical and histologic findings, and no laboratory workup is necessary; however, laboratory values may be used to exclude other causes of hypertrichosis.
  • The diagnosis of Ambras syndrome may be supported by inversions involving breakpoints in the region of band 8q22.
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Imaging Studies

  • No imaging studies are indicated for patients with congenital hypertrichosis.
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Other Tests

  • No additional tests are indicated for patients with congenital hypertrichosis.
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Procedures

  • Hair biopsy for histologic classification is indicated.
  • Biopsy findings may be diagnostic because the type of hair and position of the follicle found on histopathologic analysis can be helpful in excluding alternative diagnoses.
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Histologic Findings

  • Lanugo hairs tend to be nonpigmented. Vellus hair may be pigmented or nonpigmented. Lanugo and vellus hairs can be difficult to distinguish at histologic examination.
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Proceed to Treatment & Management
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Sarah K Taylor, MD  Staff Physician, Kimbrough Dermatology, Ft George G Meade

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Kenneth J Galeckas, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Staff Dermatologist, Director, Laser and Cosmetic Clinic, Intern and Medical Student Coordinator, Department of Dermatology, National Naval Medical Center

Kenneth J Galeckas, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and Association of Military Dermatologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Leonard Sperling, MD  Chair, Professor, Department of Dermatology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Leonard Sperling, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey P Callen, MD  Professor of Medicine (Dermatology), Chief, Division of Dermatology, University of Louisville School of Medicine

Jeffrey P Callen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and American College of Rheumatology

Disclosure: Amgen Honoraria Consulting; Celgene Honoraria Safety Monitoring Committee

Glen H Crawford, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Dermatology, The Pennsylvania Hospital

Glen H Crawford, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society of USAF Flight Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD  Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, Vice-Chairman, Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Elsevier Royalty Other

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors, Abby S. Van Voorhees, MD, and Analisa Halpern Vincent, MD to the development and writing of this article.

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Family of Petrus Gonzales, who lived in the 16th century.
Patients in well-documented cases of Ambras syndrome. (A) Daughter of Petrus Gonzales. (B) Grandson of Schwe Maong. (C) Adrrian Jepticheff. (D) Fedor.
 
 
 
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