A Case of Hypertrophic Scars After Therapy with CO2 Laser for Treatment of Multiple Cutaneous Neurofibromas / 대한피부과학회지

Multiple cutaneous neurofibromas are the most common skin manifestation of Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis(NF-1). CO2 laser surgery is a treatment modality for multiple cutaneous neurofibromas and a simple procedure that quickly removes the tumor with minimal postoperative discomfort and acceptable cosmetic results. But, hypertrophic and atrophic scars can result from treatment with CO2 laser surgery. We herein report a case of multiple cutaneous neurofibromas that developed hypertrophic scars postoperatively.

Clinicopathologic Study of 8 Patients with Plasma Cell Cheilitis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Plasma cell cheilitis is an idiopathic, benign, inflammatory mucosal condition characterized by a dense plasma cell infiltrate in the mucosa. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the clinical & histopathologic findings of plasma cell cheilitis and review the literatures. METHODS: A total of 8 patients confirmed as plasma cell cheilitis at the Catholic University Hospital from 1999 to 2001 were retrospectively analyzed with hospital charts and histopathologic slides to determine the clinical manifestations, associated diseases, etiology, course, and prognosis and histopathologic findings. RESULTS: The results are summarized as follows; 1. The male and female ratio was 3: 1. 2. The mean age of patients was 68.5 years. 3. The site of plasma cell cheilitis was the lower lip on all patients. 4. The lesion accompanied erosion or ulcer in 75% of patients and easily bleeding in 50% of patients. 5. There was no specific symptom in 50% of patients and pain accompanied in 37.5% of patients. 6. There were good responses on topically applicated clobetasone propionate. 7. Histopathologic features revealed band-like dense infiltration of plasma cells in the upper dermis and there are no atypical nucleus and mitosis. CONCLUSION: Characteristically, plasma cell cheilitis affects the low lip of an elderly person. The histological features are diagnostic. We suggest that plasma cell cheilitis exists much more than diagnosed and that physicians must pay attention to it.

A Case of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Complicated by Hemorrhagic Ascites and Multiple Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding / 대한피부과학회지

Henoch-Schonlein purpura is a common form of vasculitis primarily involving the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the joints, the kidneys, and the nervous system. During the course of Henoch-Schonlein purpura diverse gastrointestinal manifestations can occurr, but there were only few reports on the gastrointestinal endoscopic findings, hemorrhagic ascites, and Helicobacter pylori infection as complications. We report herein a 75-year-old man with Henoch-Schonlein purpura complicated by hemorrhagic ascites, multiple upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with gastric Helicobacter pylori infection. The purpuric rashes, the gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and the hemorrhagic ascites were improved after systemic glucocorticoid and Helicobacter pylori irradication with amoxycillin treatment.

Occupational Dermatoses in Foundry Workers at an Automobile Manufacturing Plant / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Many employees working in cast iron foundry process at an automobile production plant suffered from similar dermatoses due to occupational exposure. But data on the occupational dermatoses in foundry workers at an automobile production plant have not been reported in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dermatoses in relation to occupational exposure in cast iron foundry process at an automobile production plant. METHODS: 188 workers working in the foundry process were investigated for the presence of dermatoses using a questionnaire and a dermatological examination. The questionnaire included the past or present history of occupational exposure, dermatoses and atopy and so on. Patch test with Korean standard allergen and additional related allergen was performed in 38 workers who were suspected to have contact dermatitis in relation to occupational exposure. RESULTS: The results are summarized as follows; The most common 5 dermatoses were dermatophytoses(40), contact dermatitis(18), folliculitis (11), atopic dermatitis(9) and hand eczema(5). The determined risk factors to the skin were hot environmental condition, silica, organic solvent nickel and chrome. The incidence of irritant contact dermatitis was much higher than that of allergic contact dermatitis. The frequency of irritant contact dermatitis was much higher in atopics than in non-atopics. Contact sensitization was found in 6 workers and sensitizing substances were cobalt, nickel, colophony, quinoline mixture and balsam of Peru. CONCLUSION: Based on these clinical and epidemiological observations, it is suggested that the health and safety educational programs about the occupational dermatoses are needed for workers.

A Case of Cervical Accessory Tragus / 대한피부과학회지

Accessory tragus is an uncommon congenital malformation of the external ear. It is derived from the dorsal part of the first branchial arch. Usually it appears as a small skin-colored tag or nodule arising near the tragus, along an imaginary line drawn between the tragus and the corner of the mouth, or rarely on the neck along the anterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. To our knowledge there have been only one case report of cervical accessory tragus in Korean literature. We herein report a typical case of cervical accessory tragus on the left lateral side of midline of the neck in 4-year-old boy adding embryological review and differential diagnosis with hair follicle nevus.

A Case of Piebaldism Treated by Combination Therapy with Suction Blister Epidermal Graft and the Alexandrite Laser / 대한피부과학회지

Piebaldism is a rare, autosomal dominant inherited disorder, characterized by inborn hypopigmented skin and hair. It is characterized by stable leukoderma with white forelock and vitiligo like amelanotic macules usually containing hyperpigmented macules at the periphery. As the leukodermic lesions in piebaldism are unresponsive to any form of topical or systemic medical treatment, several methods for autologous transplantation of melanocytes and epidermal transplantation methods have been developed and there are no specific treatment methods for hyperpigmented patch in piebaldism. A 12-year-old female had piebaldism from birth. Suction blister epidermal graft was tried at hypopigmented patches on the posterior aspects of both lower legs and the Q-switched Alexandrite laser was used at the site of the hyperpigmented patches. Combination therapy with suction blister epidermal graft and a Q-switched Alexandrite laser on piebaldism may be effective method.

Four Cases of Cutaneous Complications after Artificial Hair Implantation / 대한피부과학회지

The implantation of synthetic fibers into the human scalp to simulate natural hair has been shown to cause severe complications and be a possible danger to human health. The complications are frequent and include pain, pruritus, hemorrhage, infection, facial swelling, loss of natural hair, scarring and possible malignant degeneration of the surrounding scalp. We report herein four typical cases of severe cutaneous complications after artificial hair implantation.

Two Cases of Tufted Hair Folliculitis

Tufted hair follliculitis is a localized, inflammatory and exudative disease of the scalp characterized by a tufted appearance of the scalp hairs emerging from single follicular openings, and may result in permanent and irreversible scarring alopecia. We report two cases of tufted hair folliculitis in a 53-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man. They had several areas of scarring alopecia with multiple bundles of hairs emerging from single follicular orifices. Histopathologic findings were typical for tufted hair folliculitis. The patients were treated successively with oral antibiotics and with topical application of clindamycin.