Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Localized Vitiligo

Background: New light shed on the cholinergic aspects of vitiligo pathophysiology. It was found that acetylcholine concentration increased with a significantly reduced expression of acetylcholinesterase in vitiliginous patches that return to normal up on repigmentation. Objective: The investigators will undertook this controlled, prospective pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin A in patients with localized vitiligo. Methods: 10 patients with focal or segmental vitiligo will be recruited. For each patient with focal vitiligo, one or two vitiliginous patches will be treated. The other patches will be used as control. For each patient with segmental vitiligo, half of the lesion will be treated. The other half will be used as a control. Botulinum toxin will be injected. The response will be analyzed at the initial visit, two weeks and at two and six months after therapy.