Giovannini 1893, Weary et al. 1973
Pili bifurcatiL67
HistoryThis section has been translated automatically.
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Rare clinical picture in which bifurcations of the hair shaft can be detected by light microscopy. Parallel branches are formed.
Occurrence/EpidemiologyThis section has been translated automatically.
Prevalence is not known; only a few cases have been described so far.
EtiopathogenesisThis section has been translated automatically.
The cause of pili bifurcati is a temporary duplication of the papilla tip during the anagen phase, temporarily forming two complete shafts in the same follicular matrix. These emerge through a single hair channel. When both papilla tips merge again, the parallel branches reunite to form a single shaft. Repeated duplications of the optic disc tip during the anagen phase may result in a series of circumscribed bifurcations along the shaft. This finding is called "Pili multi-bifurcati".
Clinical featuresThis section has been translated automatically.
Clinically, the affected patients are characterized by focal or diffuse alopecia reminiscent of trichotillomania or pili torti.
Pili bifurcati can occur in normal hair, in Pili canaliculi or in Monilethrix (see there).
Pili bifurcati have been found in mosaic trisomy 8 syndrome, in Pseudo-Monilethrix and in protein deficiency conditions.
Furthermore, the occurrence of pili bifurcati in ulcerative colitis and extensive bowel resection has been reported.
DiagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.
The typical bifurcations of the hair shaft can be detected by light microscopy.
TherapyThis section has been translated automatically.
There is no specific therapy.
Under a therapy with minoxidil improvements have been described (Singh G et al. 2016). A change in diet towards a protein-rich diet is recommended.
Damaging mechanical and/or thermal hair procedures for hair care should be avoided.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Camacho F, Jorquera E (1995) Pili bifurcati. Eur J Dermatol 5: 88-89
- Camacho FM, Happle R, Tosti A, Whiting D (2000) The different faces of pili bifurcati. A review. Eur J Dermatol 10: 337-340
- Singh G et al (2016) Prognosis and Management of Congenital Hair Shaft Disorders withoutFragility-Part
II. Pediatric Dermatol 33:481-487. - Weary PE, Hendricks AA, Warner Ajgaonkar G (1973) Pili bifurcati: New anomaly growth. Arch Dermatol 108: 403-407