A patient with vitiligo has depigmented patches on the lips and fingertips. Wood's lamp examination shows bright chalky-white fluorescence. Which treatment modality is specifically indicated for segmental vitiligo that is stable for more than 1 year?

• A Systemic corticosteroids pulse therapy
• B Narrowband UVB combined with topical calcineurin inhibitors
• C Melanocyte transplantation (autologous non-cultured epidermal cell suspension) ✓
• D Topical tacrolimus 0.1% twice daily as monotherapy

Explanation

Segmental vitiligo, once stable (no new lesions for 1–2 years), is a prime indication for surgical therapies because it does not respond reliably to medical therapy alone. Autologous non-cultured melanocyte-keratinocyte cell suspension transplantation (ReCell technique) or suction blister grafting achieves excellent repigmentation in stable, limited segmental disease. NB-UVB is useful for non-segmental generalized vitiligo. Pulse steroids arrest disease activity but do not transplant melanocytes to permanently depigmented areas.

Reference: Neena Khanna Illustrated Synopsis of Dermatology & STD, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.