Stability in Vitiligo? What's that?

Monitoring of Vitiligo Patches Over Six Months to Validate Dermoscopic Findings of Lesional Stability

INTRODUCTION

Previously laid down criteria for lesional stability of vitiligo are inconsistent. Longitudinal data on correlation between dermoscopic features of vitiligo and disease activity is limited.

OBJECTIVES

To sequentially determine the dermoscopic features of vitiligo and to assess their association with the dynamic nature of the vitiligo patch.

METHODS

Sixty patients with 200 vitiligo patches fulfilling the inclusion criteria on medical therapy were subjected to sequential clinical and dermoscopic examination for 6 months. Baseline lesional photographs, dermoscopy and tracing of the patch was made and repeated at 6 months. The follow up tracing was superimposed onto the baseline tracing. Based on the increase or decrease in size, their outcomes were grouped as responsive, progressive and quiescent. Paired analysis of dermoscopic features was done between baseline, and their follow up after 6 months.

RESULTS

Well defined border was associated with static nature of the vitiligo patch and ill-defined borders and trichrome pattern depicted its dynamic nature. Statistically significant increase in leukotrichia and satellite lesions amongst progressive patches and a decrease amongst responsive patches was observed. Pigment network changes were statistically significant for both responsive and progressive patches. Satellite lesions and micro-Koebner's phenomena was suggestive of progressive disease, while perifollicular pigmentation and perilesional hyperpigmentation was suggestive of re-pigmenting disease and proved to be an early marker for response to therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated dermoscopic evaluation of lesions in a serial manner to assess disease activity helps understand their evolving nature and is a valuable tool in planning appropriate further treatment.

Autologous noncultured, nontrypsinized melanocyte-keratinocyte graft homogenized in plasma gel followed by narrow-band ultraviolet B therapy for stable vitiligo: A novel technique

There is a continuous need for modifications of epidermal cell grafting techniques treating stable vitiligo to make it easier, more economic, and with better outcome. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of noncultured, nontrypsinized epidermal cell graft homogenized with plasma gel, followed by narrow band-ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) in treatment of stable vitiligo, about 40 patients with stable vitiligo underwent harvesting of epidermal cells from the donor site by dermabrasion then the harvested cells were prepared, homogenized with autologous plasma gel, and applied to the abraded recipient, followed by 16 NB-UVB sessions after complete healing. Patches within the same anatomical site received only NB-UVB as controls. The percentage of improvement ranged from 23.33% to 100% with more than 75% uniform, homogenous repigmentation in 65% of patients. Donor site healed completely with normal skin. Noncultured, nontrypsinized epidermal cell grafting technique homogenized with plasma gel followed by NB-UVB sessions gave positive responses and was well tolerated in different body sites in stable resistant vitiligo.

Factors affecting the outcome of the suction blisters using two different harvesting techniques in vitiligo patients

BACKGROUND

Suction blister grafting (SBG) technique has been used for long to treat various skin conditions. Different suction methods have been used such as syringes, Chinese cups, and suction device. There are some limitations of its use as time consumption, failure of induction or incomplete blister formation and pain.

AIM

The aim of this work was to evaluate the outcome of using two different suction techniques, namely the syringes and the Chinese cups in induction of suction blisters. The effect of the device diameter and preheating of the donor area on the suction blister induction time (SBIT) was studied. The effect of saline injection in the blister formation and its completion was also evaluated.

METHODS

The study was a left-right comparative study that included 50 patients with stable nonsegmental vitiligo. They were classified into four groups: Group 1 included 15 patients where different diameters of syringes (1.3, 1.7, and 2 cm) were compared against each other, group 2 included 15 patients where different diameters of cups (2, 3.5, and 5 cm) were compared against each other, group 3 included 20 patients subdivided into two groups; 10 patients each, where the effect of preheating the skin on blister induction was tested with use of cups (3a) and syringes (3b). Lastly, group 4 included randomly chosen 40 incomplete or multilocular blisters where the effect of saline injection on blister completion and coalescence of multilobulation was examined. SBIT was calculated in all patients.

RESULTS

The use of the small diameter syringes or cups gave shorter SBIT; however, the difference, which was significant between all sizes of cups, was significant between the 1.3- and 2-cm-diameter syringes only. Preheating of the donor area shorten SBIT significantly. No complications were reported at the donor site except for transient postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in all patients.

CONCLUSION

The small diameter syringes or cups and preheating of the donor area shorten the SBIT, while intra-blister saline injection increased the blister size and turns the multilocular blisters to unilocular ones.

Clinicopathologic Analysis of Stable and Unstable Vitiligo: A Study of 66 Cases

Vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder characterized by milky-white macules and absence of functioning melanocytes. The cornerstone of its management is the correct categorization of a case into its 2 broad types-stable and unstable vitiligo. This distinction is at present based mainly on clinical criteria because the histopathological features are not fully established. This study was thus undertaken to examine histopathological features of vitiligo and to come up with a reliable and systematic approach toward this diagnostic challenge. All patients presenting with clinical features of vitiligo at our institution were included in the study. A 3-mm punch biopsy was taken from 3 sites-lesional, perilesional, and normal skin. Histopathological examination was primarily focused on evaluating 5 histopathological variables-spongiosis, epidermal lymphocytes, basal cell vacuolation, dermal lymphocytes, and melanophages. A total number of 66 patients were included in the study. There were 30 patients in stable and 36 in unstable vitiligo groups. It was observed that all 5 histopathological pattens were associated with unstable vitiligo. All the cases were then scored using a scoring system devised by the authors and the scores obtained were correlated with clinical categorization. It was observed that while there is a definite overlap in histological findings in the 2 groups, adoption of a systematic reporting system brings more consistency and objectivity in the diagnosis. The authors have recommended diagnoses that should be reported for the various scores. This in turn will help us to more reliably and confidently manage these patients.

Simplified Non-cultured Non-trypsinised Epidermal Cell Graft Technique Followed by Psoralen and Ultraviolet A Light Therapy for Stable Vitiligo

Background and Aims:

Stable vitiligo can be treated by various surgical procedures. Non-cultured melanocyte grafting techniques were developed to overcome the time-consuming process of culture while at the same time providing acceptable results. All the techniques using non-cultured melanocyte transfer involve trypsinisation as an integral step. Jodhpur technique used by the author is autologous, non-cultured, non-trypsinised, epidermal cell grafting.

Settings and Design:

The study was conducted on patients visiting the dermatology outpatient department of a tertiary health centre in Western Rajasthan.

Materials and Methods:

At the donor site, mupirocin ointment was applied and dermabrasion was done with the help of micromotor dermabrader till pinpoint bleeding was seen. The paste-like material obtained by this procedure containing melanocytes and keratinocytes admixed with the ointment base was harvested with spatula and was subsequently spread over the recipient area. Recipient site was prepared in the same manner by dermabrasion. After 10 days, dressing at both sites was removed taking utmost care at the recipient site as there was a theoretical risk of dislodging epidermal cells.

Results:

In a study of 437 vitiligo patches, more than 75% re-pigmentation (excellent improvement) was seen in 41% of the patches. Lesions on thigh (100%), face (75%) and trunk (50%) showed maximal excellent improvement, whereas patches on joints and acral areas did not show much improvement.

Conclusions:

This technique is a simplified, cost effective, less time-consuming alternative to other techniques which involve tryspsinisation of melanocytes and at the same time provides satisfactory uniform pigmentation.

Is Lesional Stability in Vitiligo More Important Than Disease Stability for Performing Surgical Interventions? Results from a Multicentric Study

Background:

Ensuring stability of the disease process is essential for undertaking surgical intervention in vitiligo. However, there is no consensus regarding the minimum duration of stability or the relative importance of disease and lesional stability in selecting patients for vitiligo grafting.

Aim:

This multicentric study aims to assess the relative importance of lesional and disease stability on selecting patients for vitiligo grafting.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred seventy patients were recruited into the study and divided into two groups: Group A with lesional stability of >1 year but overall disease stability of only 6-11 months and Group B with overall disease stability of >1 year. Patients underwent either tissue or cellular vitiligo grafting on the selected lesions and the repigmentation achieved was scored from 0 (no repigmentation) to 6 (100% repigmentation). Repigmentation achieved on different sites of the body was compared between the two groups. Adverse effects at both the donor and the recipient sites were also compared.

Results:

Of the 170 patients who were enrolled, 82 patients were placed in Group A and 88 patients in Group B. Average repigmentation achieved (on scale of 0 to 6) was 3.8 and 4.04 in Group A and Group B, respectively. In Group A, ≥90% repigmentation was achieved in 36.6% (30/82) patients, while 37.5% (33/88) achieved similar results in Group B. Additionally, 47.6% (39/82) and 53.4% (47/88) of cases achieved partial repigmentation in Group A and Group B, respectively. Perigraft halo was the commonest adverse effect observed in both groups. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the repigmentation achieved or adverse effects observed. Repigmentation achieved was the best on the face and neck area, while acral areas responded the least.

Conclusions:

Lesional stability seems to be as relevant as the overall disease stability in selecting patients for surgical intervention in vitiligo.

Grafting in vitiligo: how to get better results and how to avoid complications

Grafting procedures in vitiligo have become quite popular over the last one or two decades especially in India. Starting with the simplest punch grafting we have now a multitude of different grafting techniques available in vitiligo. All of these grafting procedures are associated with certain complications. In addition there are certain factors and surgical pearls that can go a long way in improving the cosmetic results achieved with any of these grafting techniques. This paper will try to address these specific factors and complications associated with these grafting techniques and the ways and means to avoid them.

The concept of stability of vitiligo: a reappraisal

Stability is taken as the most important parameter before opting for any transplantation technique to treat vitiligo. But, simultaneous donor site repigmentation and depigmentation of grafts at the recipient site has been noted. Similarly donor site depigmentation with complete repigmentation of the recipient area with pigment growing out from each graft has been observed. Successful repigmentation after regrafting in previous punch failure cases has also been reported. Koebner's phenomenon from history (Kp-h) and test grafting were the only available indicators to assess stability. It is quite ironic to note that even after four decades of experience in vitiligo surgery, there seems to be little consensus among workers regarding the optimal required period of stability. Moreover, the exact concept of stability in vitiligo is itself still not transparent and defined beyond doubt Overdependence on KpH or TG may be sometimes misleading in vitiligo. These two reveal the apparent clinical stability only and that may not be the true reflection of stability status of the disease at the molecular level. Antimelanocyte cytotoxic reactivity was observed among CD8+ TCC isolated from perilesional biopsies of patients with vitiligo. An attempt should be made to clearly fathom and define stability, not merely only on clinical ground but along with electron microscopy and histoenzymological analysis of the perilesional and nonlesional skin of vitiligo patients. Probably some growth factors which are responsible for both mitogenic and melanogenic stimulation of melanocytes should also be taken into account. Some serological test(s) could guide us to measure these growth factors.

Current remedies for vitiligo

Vitiligo is a disorder with complex causes and is a type of autoimmune disease in which the immune system targets the body's own pigment cells and tissues. Our aim is to present an overall view of the current remedies widely adopted for the treatment of vitiligo. Medical treatments target the immune system, and try to reverse the destruction. The goal is to restore the skin's color by restoring healthy melanocytes to the affected area. Apart from melanocytes, vitiligo autoantigens appear also on other cells. Even though antibodies to pigment cells are not an agent of vitiligo, the most valuable contribution is that anti-melanocyte antibody reactivity can help in identifying relevant antigens. T cells from vitiligo skin are highly reactive towards melanoma cells and serve as an effective source to treat melanoma and stays as a solution for vitiligo. There have been many treatments to cure vitiligo such as use of steroid creams, PUVA (psoralen and ultraviolet A light), narrow band UVB (ultraviolet B), various surgical techniques, vitamin D analogues and pseudocatalase. These treatments are subjected for undesired side effects whereas some herbal and natural treatments act against the immune system with no side effects.