Vitiligo Coexistent with Nevus Depigmentosus: This Was Treated with Narrow-Band UVB and These Lesions Were Followed Using the Mexameter®, a Pigment-Measuring Device

Modalities of treatment for Nevus depigmentosus: review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Nevus depigmentosus (ND) is one of the pigmentary conditions that is characterized by a hypopigmented patch with an irregular border. It is usually present at birth or shortly after birth. It is not a progressive condition, but it may increase in size in proportion to the growth of the body. Despite many treatment modalities, there is no effective treatment for this condition.

OBJECTIVE

To review all articles about the treatment options for ND.

METHODS

Pubmed database were searched for this study, and relative clinical trials were included in the review. Descriptive findings, including age, gender, and treatment modality and response, were reported.

RESULTS

A total of 62 articles were identified, and 16 relevant articles were included in this review after screening and removing the duplicates.

CONCLUSION

In the literature, a limited number of treatment modalities have been employed for ND. Among these, surgical interventions and phototherapy have been the most commonly studied, but their efficacy has varied. Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for ND, and recurrence of the lesion is not an uncommon occurrence even after complete clearance. Furthermore, there is a dearth of large-scale clinical studies that comprehensively analyze the different treatment modalities for ND.

Outcomes of autologous non-cultured melanocyte keratinocyte transplantation in vitiligo and nevus depigmentosus

BACKGROUND

Melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation procedure (MKTP) is an effective surgical technique for restoring skin pigmentation in all types of vitiligo and leukoderma patients who are unresponsive to medical and/or phototherapy treatment. Data specific to the outcomes of MKTP among Thai vitiligo and nevus depigmentosus patients are currently scarce.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of MKTP in patients with vitiligo or nevus depigmentosus at the short-term (≤6 months) and long-term (≥12 months) follow-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of the medical records of vitiligo or nevus depigmentosus patients who underwent MKTP at the Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand during 2016 to 2019 was conducted. Repigmentation outcomes were evaluated by Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI).

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients had 27 MKTP surgeries on 32 anatomically-based lesions. The mean age was 32.4 years, the mean age at onset was 25.5 years, and 19 patients were male. Segmental vitiligo, non-segmental vitiligo, and nevus depigmentosus had significantly improved VASI scores at the short-term follow-up (-74.2% ± 23.2%, -100%, and -62.5% ± 17.6%, respectively) and the long-term follow-up (-81% ± 27.7%, -95.0% ± 7.0%, and -83.3% ± 14.4%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

MKTP is a safe and effective method for treating refractory vitiligo and nevus depigmentosus in Thai patients.