Analysis of dermoscopic characteristics in vitiligo lesions treated with autologous non-cultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND

Non-cultured epidermal cell suspension (NCES) transplantation, as a cellular grafting technique to treat stable vitiligo, is gaining wider acceptance among dermatologists. However, the continuous dermoscopic characteristics of the vitiligo lesions treated with NCES transplantation have not been fully investigated.

OBJECTIVE

To observe the dermoscopic features of vitiligo lesions treated with NCES transplantation and identify the repigmentation-associated indicators.

METHODS

Patients with stable vitiligo were enrolled and received NCES transplantation. All patients were followed up and underwent dermoscopy examination of the recipient sites at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Among 8 patches with excellent repigmentation (>80 % repigmentation), six dermoscopic features exhibited significant changes. The emergence of poorly-defined border and altered pigment network signified the appearance of repigmentation.

CONCLUSION

Dermoscopy can effectively and dynamically reflect subtle changes in vitiligo lesions treated with NCES transplantation.