Trichorrhexis invaginata

Netherton 1958

Comèl-Netherton syndrome, bamboo hair, bamboo hairs

Trichorrhexis invaginata is characterised by typical invaginations of the hair shaft. The cause is a keratinisation defect.

Newborn

Frequent girls

Trichorrhexis invaginata is a symptom of Comèl-Netherton syndrome (ichthyosis linearis circumflexa Comèl, atopic diathesis, trichorrhexis invaginata).

There is autosomal recessive inheritance.

The „invagination“ or invagination occurs due to increased growth of the outer hair shaft/ outer root sheath (keratinisation disorder).

Dry, dull, brittle hair, most of which never exceeds 4 cm in length.

Trichogram: typical invaginations

↑ argininosuccinic acid in urine

Sometimes improvement in the course of life.

No effective therapy known.

1. Ito M, Ito K, Hashimoto K. Pathogenesis in trichorrhexis invaginata (bamboo hair). J Invest Dermatol. 1984 Jul;83(1):1-6.
2. Bittencourt Mde J, Moure ER, Pies OT, Mendes AD, Deprá MM, Mello AL. Trichoscopy as a diagnostic tool in trichorrhexis invaginata and Netherton syndrome. An Bras Dermatol. 2015 Jan-Feb;90(1):114-6. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153011 .
3. Burk C, Hu S, Lee C, Connelly EA. Netherton syndrome and trichorrhexis invaginata--a novel diagnostic approach. Pediatr Dermatol. 2008 Mar-Apr;25(2):287-8.