Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology
Intra-Patient Split-Lesion Comparison of Non-Cultured Epidermal Cell Suspension versus a Mechanically Processed Follicular Preparation in Stable Segmental Vitiligo: A Case Report
By ALQudah H, Qeyam H, Alkatab Y and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
Cellular transplantation may be considered for carefully selected patients with stable, treatment-refractory vitiligo, particularly localized or segmental disease.
Objective
To describe a single-patient intra-patient split-lesion comparison of autologous non-cultured epidermal cell suspension (NCES) and a mechanically processed follicular preparation. Case: A 20-year-old woman with long-standing stable segmental vitiligo involving the left popliteal fossa/posterior knee and adjacent lower-limb areas underwent split-lesion treatment after the same Er:YAG recipient-bed preparation. The upper region was assigned to a mechanically processed follicular preparation mixed with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), whereas the lower region received NCES. Allocation was made at the time of treatment without a prespecified anatomical preference; no formal randomization sequence or allocation-concealment method was documented. Both regions subsequently received 15 sessions of targeted 308-nm excimer light. At 12 months, non-instrumented visual estimation from serial clinical photographs suggested approximately 90% repigmentation in the NCES-treated region and approximately 20% in the follicular preparation-treated region. Photographs were not prospectively standardized, and no planimetry, validated outcome score, or blinded assessment was performed.