In Vivo Imaging of Pigmentary Disorders by Reflectance Confocal Microscopy

In Vivo Imaging of Pigmentary Disorders by Reflectance Confocal Microscopy

This is a pilot study to evaluate the findings of the Reflectance Confocal Microscopy when performed in cutaneous pigmentary disorders, such as vitiligo, melasma, post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation and hypo-pigmentation. Confocal Microscopy is a recent diagnostic technique that has been used for observation of skin conditions that affect the superficial layers of the skin.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects 20-70 years of age.
2. Clinical diagnosis of vitiligo, melasma, post-inflammatory hypo or depigmentation or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
3. Willing and able to understand and sign informed consent.
4. Able to complete study and comply with study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Use of topical therapies such as corticosteroids, protopic, hydroquinone and azelaic acid within the past 2 months.

2. Use of light therapy such as narrow-band-UVB, PUVA or laser within the past 2 months.

3. Intake of medications that can cause pigmentary changes within the past year. Examples are:

   • Antimalarials (chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine)
   • Chemotherapeutics (bleomycin, busulfan, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, and carmustine)
   • Heavy metals (gold, silver, bismuth, and mercury)
   • Tetracyclines (including minocycline, doxycycline)
   • Amiodarone
   • Azidothymidine
   • Clofazimine

4. Clinically significant abnormal findings or conditions (other than the pigmentary disorder), which might, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, interfere with study evaluations or pose a risk to subject safety during the study.

5. Subjects who are known to be pregnant or planning a pregnancy.