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Biomedical subjects

R Falabella

Publications and source records attributed to R Falabella.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Treatment of refractory and stable vitiligo by transplantation of in vitro cultured epidermal autografts bearing melanocytes.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports demonstrated the usefulness of in vitro cultured epidermis for repigmenting vitiligo. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the potential of in vitro cultured epidermal sheets to treat extensive areas of intractable vitiligo. METHODS: In nine patients with long-standing, stable, and refractory vitiligo, autologous epidermis was cultured in vitro in H-MEM but without growth enhancers or hormones and transplanted onto previously denuded achromic lesions. RESULTS: Repigmentation was achieved to almost 100% in three subjects, 60% improvement was seen in two patients, and 30% to 40% in three additional cases. Only one patient had almost no response. Long-term observations in these patients indicate that repigmentation obtained by this method is permanent. CONCLUSION: Transplantation of in vitro cultured epidermis bearing melanocytes is potentially effective to treat extensive areas of vitiligo, but this method is presently at an experimental stage.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[In vitro culture of melanocyte-bearing epidermis and its application in the treatment of vitiligo and the stable leukodermas].

Skin specimens were cultured in vitro in a attempt to reproduce epidermal sheets bearing melanocytes. After exploring different parameters and culture conditions, 16 out of 45 samples yielded pigmented epidermal membranes with melanocytes. This epidermis bearing melanocytes was transplanted to a patient with segmental vitiligo and a satisfactory repigmentation was achieved. The factors contributing to the development of this pigmented in vitro cultured epidermis, and the potential of this technology for treating refractory but stable forms of vitiligo, are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Leukoderma punctata.

Thirteen patients with vitiligo (1 segmental, 4 focal, 8 generalized) aged 7 to 38, most of them female children, developed numerous punctate hypopigmented and achromic spots. The spots measured 0.5 to 1.5 mm and were located primarily on the sun-exposed areas of the extremities; they appeared following treatment with PUVASOL. Two of these patients experienced a reduction of this leukodermic defect, whereas the remaining patients showed a stable clinical course. Dopa and Fontana stains disclosed, in most cases, decreased but not absent functional melanocytes and a marked reduction of melanin. Ultrastructural studies demonstrated slight to severe damage of keratinocytes and melanocytes similar to that previously reported in vitiligo patients. The phototoxic effect of PUVASOL therapy is suggested as a possible etiologic factor in these patients. A probable relationship among idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, leukoderma punctata, and vitiligo is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Treatment of localized vitiligo by autologous minigrafting.

Autologous minigrafting has been reported as an effective method for repigmenting diverse types of stable leukoderma. A group of 22 patients with localized vitiligo, 17 segmental and five focal, who are under treatment with this method, are described. Thirteen patients attained a 90% to 100% repigmentation, two others achieved a partial improvement, and five patients had a positive test area indicating the possibility of repigmentation by means of this procedure. Only two patients had a negative test with minigrafts and, consequently, they were left untreated. Autologous minigrafting is suggested as an alternative for treating localized vitiligo, particularly when other medical therapeutic attempts have failed in repigmenting this often refractory condition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis.

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis is a common and frequently ignored dermatosis. It appears late in life and increases with aging. The studies so far reported do not support the hypothesis of a residual leukoderma following trauma, and the relation of IGH to chronic solar exposure has not yet been documented. However, the role of ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B in the pathogenesis of this dermatosis should be explored by more refined methods. Although it may be genetically modulated, a multifactorial etiology rather than a single cause is likely. An active depigmenting mechanism may underlie the melanocyte disturbance instead of a simple residual defect. Intralesional triamcinolone in very low concentrations with or without minigrafts of normally pigmented skin could be of some therapeutic value.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

On the pathogenesis of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis.

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis is a common leukodermic dermatosis of obscure origin, consisting of small 2- to 5-mm achromic or hypopigmented macules, mainly affecting the exposed upper and lower extremities. In a group of 400 consecutive dermatologic patients, idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis was much more prevalent in women than in men. However, in both sexes this prevalence became more common with advancing age. In another group of fifteen patients with idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis and fifteen normal controls matched by age, sex, and skin type, the following was found: A cause-effect relationship between chronic actinic exposure and the development of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis could not be established by statistical studies. A family aggregation survey disclosed a higher prevalence of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis in the family of patients with idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis than in the control group. Epithelial atrophy, patchy absence of melanocytes and melanin, flattening of the rete pegs, and basket weave hyperkeratosis were the most prominent histologic findings of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. Minigrafts of normal skin implanted in idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis lesions did not modify the achromic defects, whereas intralesional triamcinolone with or without grafts improved the appearance of these lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Postdermabrasion leukoderma.

Three patients developed leukoderma following dermabrasion during an attempt to correct the scarring sustained after a thermal burn injury several years previously. Two of the patients were successfully repigmented with autologous minigrafting and epidermal suction grafts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Repigmentation of stable leukoderma by autologous minigrafting.

The technique known as autologous minigrafting is reviewed. This procedure has proven useful and reliable for repigmenting diverse types of leukoderma. A few refinements of this technique are described. These refinements were used in six patients who were successfully repigmented. Causes of pigment loss in these cases included thermal burns, contact with monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone, chronic discoid lupus erythematosus, and segmental vitiligo.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Repigmentation of leukoderma by minigrafts of normally pigmented, autologus skin.

A method of repigmenting some leukodermas by transplantation of minigrafts of normally pigmented, autologous skin into them is described. Such grafts in addition to retaining their pigment stimulate repigmentation around them by migration of melanocytes and spread of pigment from the grafts. Three patients, one with piebaldism, another with leukoderma from monobenzyl ether of hydroguinone, and a third with depigmentation following healing of a burn enjoyed successful and cosmetically acceptable repigmentation from practice of the method.

Adolescent↗