Phototherapy in the treatment of generalized vitiligo – a case report

Aim: To present a patient with generalized vitiligo who was treated with topical corticosteroids and narrow band ultraviolet B phototherapy and to give an overview of treatment modalities for vitiligo. Case report: A 42 year-old men was admitted because of generalized vitiligo. Clinical examination revealed depigmented milky-white macules distributed symmetrically on lateral sides of trunk, upper and lower extremities, neck and periorbital region of the right facial side. A topical corticosteroid, mometazon furoat, was prescribed once a day and narrow band UVB phototherapy was initiated. Phototherapy was administered three times a week with the initial dose of 0.3 J/cm2 and dose increment at the rate of 20% of the previous dose until the formation of a mild erythema. Total dose received was 69.213 J/cm2. After received therapy, repigmentation was partially achieved, and the progression, as well as the appearance of the new vitiliginous lesions, were stopped. Discussion and conclusion: Various modalities of treatment are used in therapy of vitiligo, but there is still no universal therapy that could be effective in all vitiligo patients. Different clinical manifestations of vitiligo are the result of different pathogenetic mechanisms and require different treatment approaches. Therefore, future research is needed in order to clarify the etiopathogenetic mechanisms and provide new, more effective therapeutic opportunities.