A Study on Histopathological Features of Vitiligo

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired, progressive melanocytopenia of unknown etiology, characterized by circumscribed achromic macules often associated with leukotrichia. Various theories like autoimmune, genetic, neural and biochemical theory have been reported in its pathogenesis. In this study, we tried to observe the histopathological features of vitiligo in our population. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross sectional study which included 30 patients who presented to the skin outpatient department with vitiligo. Skin biopsy was done in all these patients to study the histopathological features and the observations were tabulated. Results: Among the 30 patients included in the study, absence of melanocytes was seen in 20 patients and few melanocytes were present in 5 patients. 10 patients showed the presence of inflammatory infiltrates in the dermis. Giant melanosomes were seen at the periphery of the lesion in 7 patients. Conclusion: In this study, absence of melanocytes was evident in the well-established vitiligenous lesions. Histopathological examination is required to differentiate vitiligo from other skin diseases which clinically mimic vitiligo.