Clinical images
Dermoscopic diagnosis of pediculosis capitis
Dermoscopic diagnosis ofpediculosis capitis
T. Badri, H. Hammami, R. Benmously, I. Mokhtar, and S. Fenniche
KEY WORDS
pediculosis, scalp, dermoscopy, ectoparasitosis, diagnosis
Case report
A 4-year-old girl presented to our dermatology department because of a 2-week history of itchy scalp. Cutaneous examination revealed pseudo-dandruff and scratch marks extending to the neck and retro-auricular folds.
Dermoscopic examination of some affected hairs showed grey, translucent, ovoid eggs with flattened free ends firmly attached to the hair shaft, corresponding to nits (Fig. 1). A diagnosis of pediculosis capitis was made and treatment with lindane powder was initiated, leading to clinical remission.
Head lice infestation, or pediculosis capitis, caused by Pediculus humanus capitis, is a common health concern. Scalp pruritus is the cardinal symptom. Diagnosis is based upon the detection of lice or nits. However, because the louse moves quickly and avoids light, it is often invisible to the naked eye. Dermoscopy is a precise and noninvasive technique that may be an aid in the diagnosis of pediculosis capitis when ovoid bodies containing nymphs are present, corresponding to viable nits and attesting a recent infestation.
Dermoscopy has also been used in the diagnosis of other human parasitoses such as scabies (1), pediculosis capitis (2), and pubic phthiriasis (3). In difficult cases, it helps to differentiate between pediculosis capitis
and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp. Dermoscopy is also a repetitive technique that aids in follow-up examinations (2).
Figure 1. Dermoscopy: gray, translucent, ovoid eggs, firmly attached to the hair shaft, corresponding to nits.
Acta Dermatoven APA Vol 19, 2010, No 3
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Dermoscopic diagnosis of pediculosis capitis
Clinical images
References -
1.	Phan A, Dalle S, Thomas L. Diagnostic dermoscopique de la gale. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2008;135:155-6.
2.	Di Stefani A, Hofmann-Wellenhof R, Zalaudek I. Dermoscopy for diagnosis and treatment monitoring of pediculosis capitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54:909-11.
3.	Chuh A, Lee A, Wong W, Ooi C, Zawar V. Diagnosis of Pediculosis pubis: a novel application of digital epiluminescence dermatoscopy. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2007;21:837-8.
authors ' Talel Badri, Asst. Prof. of Dermatology, Dermatology Department, Habib Thameur Hospital, addresses Ali Ben Ayed Street, No. 8, 1008, Montfleury. Tunis, Tunisia, corresponding author, Tel: +216
98 829 300, +216 71 399 115, Fax: +216 71 399 115, E-mail: talel_badri@yahoo.fr Houda Hammami, Resident in Dermatology, same address Rym Benmously, Prof. of Dermatology, same address Insaf Mokhtar, Prof. of Dermatology, Head of service, same address Samy Fenniche, Prof. of Dermatology, same address
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Acta Dermatoven APA Vol 19, 2010, No 3