A study to compare clinico-histopathological and dermoscopic findings in patients of vitiligo

Abstract

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vitiligo is an acquired disorder; characterised by well-defined depigmented macules and patches. Its diagnosis is clinical but histopathology aids in doubtful cases, histopathological findings depend on the duration of clinical lesions. Dermoscopy serves as an auxiliary tool for diagnostic confirmation and additionally aids in the evaluation of disease activity. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>It’s the hospital based observational study of 50 vitiligo patients. After ethical committee approval and patient’s consenting, detailed history with clinical and dermatological examination was performed using a dermoscope (10X) and biopsy sample was sent for examination. The results were statistically analysed, discussed and their correlation with clinical diagnosis was established.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Generalised vitiligo was the most common presentation found, with koebnerization signifying progressive disease. Epidermal hyperkeratosis and absence of melanocytes were found to be significant in stable disease. Perilesional/marginal hyperpigmentation was observed in stable disease, while perifollicular depigmentation, trichrome pattern, comet tail appearance, micro koebner’s phenomenon and tapioca sago appearance were the findings significant in unstable disease.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Vitiligo is primarily a clinical diagnosis; additional modalities may be required either to confirm the diagnosis like histopathology or to assess the progression of disease with dermoscopy. Unstable disease display perifollicular depigmentation whereas stable disease display perifollicular pigmentation, and can be compared with epidermal hyperkeratosis and absence of melanocytes in the lesions of stable vitiligo on histopathology. Such studies with a greater number of cases are recommended for having better understanding of the findings.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"> </p>