Diagnostic evaluation of Hypopigmentary and Depigmentary Disorders

Author : Aayush Goel

Abstract : Hypopigmentary and depigmentary disorders frequently present with overlapping clinical features, making accurate diagnosis challenging. This hospital-based observational cross-sectional study evaluated 200 patients presenting with hypopigmentary and depigmentary disorders attending a tertiary care dermatology outpatient department. All patients underwent detailed clinical examination, Wood's lamp examination, dermoscopic evaluation, and KOH microscopy where indicated. Males constituted 51.5% of cases, with the highest proportion belonging to the 11–20 year age group (33.5%). Vitiligo (36.5%) and pityriasis versicolor (35.0%) were the most common disorders observed. Wood's lamp examination demonstrated characteristic bluish-white fluorescence in vitiligo and greenish-yellow fluorescence in pityriasis versicolor. KOH examination was positive in 81.4% of pityriasis versicolor cases, showing the characteristic 'spaghetti and meatballs' appearance. Dermoscopy of vitiligo characteristically demonstrated an absent pigment network (69.6%), diffuse white glow (67.1%), and leucotrichia. Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis showed an absent pigment network with well-defined amoeboid, feathery, and petaloid margins, while pityriasis versicolor predominantly exhibited scaling accentuated within skin creases. Pityriasis alba demonstrated ill-defined margins, a faint pigment network, and diffuse white scaling, whereas leprosy lesions revealed yellowish-orange structureless areas, distorted pigment network, and linear vessels. The study concluded that dermoscopy is an effective, rapid, and non-invasive diagnostic modality that, when combined with Wood's lamp examination and KOH microscopy, significantly improves the evaluation and routine diagnosis of hypopigmentary and depigmentary disorders.

Keywords : Dermoscopy, hypopigmentary disorders, vitiligo, pityriasis versicolor, wood’s lamp.

Conference Name : International Conference on Dermatology and Skin Health (ICDSH - 26)

Conference Place : Pondicherry, India

Conference Date : 11th Jul 2026