Cutaneous Endometriosis after Abdominal Myomectomy

Endometriosis is the aberrant presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. We report a case of cutaneous endometriosis which developed on the scar of a uterine myomectomy in a 35-year-old female. The patient presented with a bean-sized, oval-shaped, erythematous nodule, which was located where a drain tube had been inserted. During her first visit to our clinic, she felt slight pain upon light touch to the lesion. She was not menstruating at this time. The lesion had been getting bigger and she reported that the pain was aggravated during menstruation. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination, which showed multiple endometrial glands with decidualized stroma, and hemosiderin pigment. Many dermatologists are not familiar with cutaneous endometriosis. Therefore, we present this case as a good example which shows pathognomonic symptoms and characteristic histopathologic findings of cutaneous endometriosis.

A Case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising From an Inverted Papilloma in the Nasal Septum / 대한피부과학회지

Inverted papillomas are uncommon benign epithelial tumors which typically occur on the lateral wall of the nose or paranasal sinuses. Inverted papilloma of the nasal septum account for between 5.5% and 16.7% of inverted papilloma. Histopathologically, these tumors show inversion of the neoplastic epithelium into the underlying stroma, rather than proliferating outwards. The tumors also demonstrate local aggressiveness, a high recurrence rate and the possibility of malignant transformation. Malignant transformation rate varies from 2% to 53%. But there is no clinical prognostic indicator to show the malignant potency of tumors. Therefore, early diagnosis and careful follow-up is very important. Some cases of this condition have been reported in otolaryngologic literature, but there are no reports of it in dermatologic literature. Herein we report a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from an inverted papilloma in the nasal septum of a 78-year-old man.

Wall Structure and Composition Changes of Varicose Veins of the Legs: A Ultrastructural Study / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Over the years many possible explanations for the development of varicose vein have been suggested. The main possible mechanisms are a valvular failure theory and a weak wall theory. However, the definite cause of varicose has not been determined yet. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to observe the pathologic changes in the smooth muscle cells and extracellular matrix of the primary varicose vein. An understanding of the pathology may possibly help to understand the pathogenesis of varicose veins. METHODS: A total of 20 vein specimens of primary varicose vein were collected from 13 patients who underwent ambulatory phlebectomy. Among them, 16 specimens were thick segments and 4 specimens were thin segments of varicose veins. Control samples were collected from two patients with no history and clinical evidence of varicose vein. Each specimen was examined with a JEM 1200EX-II electron microscopy. Ultrastructural findings between thick and thin segments of varicose veins and normal veins were also compared semiquantitatively. RESULTS: The smooth muscle cells of varicose veins were abnormal in shape and lost their fusiform appearance with many vacuoles. Increased extracellular matrix shows the increase of degenerated collagen fibers and decrease of elastic fibers. Thin segments revealed more atrophic smooth muscle cells and phagocytosis than thickened segments. Thick segments showed increased collagen fiber. CONCLUSION: These ultrastructural changes may be not the primary cause of varicose veins but the secondary remodeling processes of vein walls by hemodynamic stress.

Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome Type I / 대한피부과학회지

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome(TRPS) type I is characterized by sparse and slow-growing hairs, pear-shaped nose, elongated philtrum, thin upper lip, and bone deformities, especially, cone-shaped epiphyses of the phalanges. The syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. We report a case of TRPS type I with alopecia like male pattern baldness and Perthes-like changes on the right hip joint.