Clinical Observation of Tattooed Prisoners / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the characteristics of tattoos on prisoners. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the clinical characteristics of tattooed prisoners and compare them with other previously reported data. METHODS: Between November 2006 and August 2010, we selected 98 tattooed men in a correctional institution in Seoul and investigated their personal and clinical information, including the average age of their first tattoo, sites of tattoos, contents of tattoos, motivations for getting tattooed, removal of tattoos, and occurrences of medical complications, etc. RESULTS: The most common educational level was the high school graduated group (39.8%). Most tattooed prisoners had a religion (83.7%). Thirty-three of the men (33.7%) had self-injuries. The average age of their first tattoo was 18.5 years, and the average number of tattoos was 2.7. Fifty-three of the tattooed prisoners (54.1%) were first-time offenders. There was a correlation between the number of tattoos and the rate of recidivism. Left arm was the most common site of tattoos (23.6%). Most of the tattoos were performed by others, especially friends (56.1%). Half of the prisoners received their tattoos in society. The most common tattoo material was Chinese ink (41.8%), and the most common motivation for getting tattoos was curiosity (48.0%). Among the various contents of the tattoos, letters were the most frequent (28.1%). Complications were observed in 16 cases (16.3%); hypertrophic scar, keloid, local skin infections, and allergic reactions such as itching. Most of the tattooed prisoners had regrets (80.6%) and requested tattoo removal. Embarrassment was the most common motivation for tattoo removal (35.4%). Removal of tattoos was attempted in 37 cases (37.8%). CONCLUSION: Most of the study results are compatible with those of previous studies. However, education level, religion, and contents of tattoos were slightly different. Further, we obtained new information regarding motivation for tattoo removal, correlation between the number of tattoos and number of crimes, and the attitudes toward their tattoos. We hope the obtained results will be helpful for understanding people with tattoos tattoo in a correctional institution.

A Case of Bullous Eosinophilic Cellulitis / 대한피부과학회지

Eosinophilic cellulitis is a rare recurrent inflammatory dermatosis, characterized clinically by well-circumscribed erythematous plaques. The histopathologic features of the lesions are dermal edema, infiltration of eosinophils and development of 'flame figures' in the dermis. A 64-year-old female presented pruritic erythematous plaques, with associated bullae, on her right hand and wrist. Histopathologic examination showed infiltration of eosinophils and characteristic flame figures in the dermis. The clinical presentation and histopathologic alterations are consistent with the diagnosis of eosinophilic cellulitis. Herein, we report a case of bullous eosinophilic cellulitis which is an uncommon variant of eosinophilc cellulitis.

A Case of Cutaneous Smooth Muscle Tumor of Uncertain Malignant Potential / 대한피부과학회지

Smooth muscle tumors have been classified into leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma. But the criteria for malignancy are not well defined. Traditionally, mitoses are the most important differentiating feature between leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma. However mitotic activity was regarded as an acceptable finding in about 20% of cutaneous leiomyoma. The widely used designation "smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential" is a reflection of the limitation of available criteria to precisely diagnose tumors with borderline atypical features. We present herein a case of a cutaneous smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential, which is mitotically active, on the abdomen of a 45-year-old man.

The Role of Indocyanine Green and Diode Laser in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatologic diseases and the main method of treatment is antibiotics and retinoids. However, many patients experience a need for a different treatment because of the transient effect and severe adverse effects. The study reported herein evaluated the effect and safety on acne vulgaris of 805 nm diode laser and topical Indocyanine green (ICG). OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the efficacy of the near-infrared diode laser phototherapy in combination with topical application of ICG in the treatment of acne vulgaris. METHODS: Twenty-three volunteers with varying degrees of acne were enrolled in the study. Half of the face was stained by ICG. After 15 minutes, the whole face was irradiated by 805 nm diode laser. The procedure was carried out two times a week for 4 weeks. Inflammatory, non-inflammatory acne lesions were counted and sebum levels of both cheeks were measured. RESULTS: The mean reduction of the inflammatory lesion counts was 43% in the ICG-diode laser group. The mean clearance of non-inflammatory lesions was 25% in the ICG-diode laser group. Significant reduction of acne lesions were observed in ICG-diode laser group compared to diode laser group (p<0.05). The adverse effects were negligible on both sides of the face. CONCLUSION: ICG and diode laser therapy is effective in the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris, and none of significant adverse effects were observed.

Treatment of Recalcitrant Acquired Reactive Perforating Collagenosis with Low-dose Allopurinol / 대한피부과학회지

Reactive perforating collagenosis is one of a range of essential perforating disorders and is characterized by the transepithelial elimination of altered collagen. Two types have been recognized: the inherited, or childhood form and the acquired, or adult form. Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis is associated with systemic diseases, especially diabetes mellitus and/or renal failure. We report that a low-dose allopurinol showed dramatic effects on acquired reactive perforating collagenosis, which was associated with hypothyroidism and chronic renal failure caused by diabetic nephropathy.

A Case of Folliculosebaceous Cystic Hamartoma

Folliculosebaceous cystic hamartoma (FSCH) is a recently-recognized cutaneous hamar- toma composed of follicular, sebaceous and mesenchymal elements. We describe an unusual case of FSCH in a 61-year-old male, who had a relatively large, 3x2.5cm sized, smooth subcutaneous nodule on the occipital area of the scalp, an uncommon location for FSCH.