The uncombable hair syndrome, also known as spun glass hair or pili trianguli et canaliculi is a unique syndrome characterized by dry, coarse blond to light-brown hair that has a spangled appearance. First described in 1973 by Stroud and Mehregan,1 who reported hairs having a triangular or kidney bean-shaped cross-section, Dupre2 et al noted longitudinal grooving of hair shafts in this syndrome with scanning electron microscopy. Over 50 cases of congenital uncombable hair syndrome have been reported. Some reports suggest an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance.3,4 We describe the first documented case of acquired pili trianguli et canaliculi.
Report of a Case.
A 39-year-old healthy woman with thick light-brown hair complained of diffuse alopecia of three months' duration. Medications consisted of a combination oral contraceptive (ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone). Physical examination revealed alopecia of the vertex and crown and minimal upper lip hirsutism. Complete blood cell count,