%0 Journal Article
%T Evaluation of needling/microneedling as an adjunct to phototherapy in the treatment of stable acral vitiligo: a comparative clinical and immunohistochemical study.
%A Esmat S
%A Assaf MI
%A Mohye Eldeen R
%A Gawdat HI
%A Saadi DG
%J J Dermatolog Treat
%V 33
%N 5
%D Aug 2022
%M 35373693
%F 3.23
%R 10.1080/09546634.2022.2062279
%X UNASSIGNED: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of needling/microneedling as an adjunct to NB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of stable refractory patches of acral vitiligo, based upon clinical and immunohistochemical assessment of melanocyte count and distribution in response to needling/microneedling.
UNASSIGNED: Twenty patients with stable acral vitiligo (≥2 patches) were enrolled. One of the two index patches was randomized to receive needling or microneedling in conjunction with NB-UVB. Patients received phototherapy sessions 3 times weekly, while needling was carried out on biweekly basis for 6 months. Assessment was done clinically using point counting method, VESTA, and global patients' satisfaction, and immunohistochemically by quantitative assessment of melanocyte count by Melan-A.
UNASSIGNED: No statistically significant difference was observed between NB-UVB monotherapy and either of the combined therapy regimens as regards the mean percentage change in vitiligo surface area (p = .451), mean change in absolute melanocyte count from baseline (p = .589), and mean VESTA (p = .916). Patches subjected to adjuvant microneedling/needling were afflicted by koebnerization in 50% and 20% of cases, respectively.
UNASSIGNED: Neither microneedling nor needling appear to confer an added therapeutic value to NB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of stable acral vitiligo. Moreover, both carry the risk of koebnerization.