Clinical and Histological Studies of Low Dose Narrow-band UVB Therapy in Four Cases of Vitiligo Vulgaris

Abstract

We have previously reported that narrow-band UVB (NBUVB) monotherapy and a combination therapy of NBUVB plus topical calcipotriol are effective modalities for recalcitrant generalized vitiligo vulgaris. Additionally, low dose NBUVB therapy without incremental increases is also an effective modality for vitiliginous patients, especially those presenting a high threshold nMED. This report included a total of four vitiliginous patients. Two vitiliginous patients presenting a low threshold nMED, one vitiligo vulgaris (segmental type) presenting a high threshold nMED, and one vitiligo vulgaris (localized type), were irradiated with low dose NBUVB at 0.7nMED, to the facial or cervical vitiliginous region. Subsequent to the treatment, pigmented macules formed in the vitiliginous patches on the face and/or the cervix. Our results indicate that low dose NBUVB therapy, regardless of the type of vitiligo vulgaris or the extent of nMED threshold, is an effective and safe modality that brought about an improvement in cosmetic color match for pigmentation to facial or cervical vitiligo at an early stage.