Diagnostic accuracy measures for vertical and transverse scalp biopsies in cicatricial and non-cicatricial alopecias

The accurate diagnosis of alopecia requires both vertical and transverse section examination. Techniques providing both horizontal and vertical sections may be best suited for this indication. However, when expertise in such novel techniques are lacking, the higher diagnostic accuracy for T section justifies using T section for noncicatricial alopecia, if patient consented for single biopsy.