ABSTRACT
Melasma is an acquired symmetric hypermelanosis characterized by irregular lightto gray-brown macules and patches on sun-exposed areas. Many therapeutic agents are available but are unsatisfactory. Recently, it has been demonstrated that lincomycin (LM) and linoleic acid (LA) can inhibit melanogenesis in vitro. Our purpose was to investigate the clinical efficacy of topical application of LM and LA in combination with betamethasone valerate (BV) in melasma patients. Fortyseven Korean female adults with clinically diagnosed melasma were enrolled in a 6-week, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Patients were treated with one application of the vehicle (group A), 2% LM mixed with 0.05% BV (group B), or 2% LM mixed with 0.05% BV and 2% LA (group C) on the face every night. Determination of efficacy was based on the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score and objective assessment (no effect, mild, moderate, or excellent) at intervals of 2 weeks until the end of the study at 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, in comparison with the pre-treatment MASI score, the average MASI score of group C decreased to 68.9%, compared with 98% in group A (p<0.05) and 85.4% in group B. There was no statistically significant difference between group A and group B. Seven patients (43.7%) in group C revealed more than moderate improvement in objective assessment, compared with none in group A and two patients (12.5%) in group B. There were no significant side effects. Topical application of linoleic acid is considered to be effective in the treatment of melasma patients.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Administration, Topical , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage , Betamethasone Valerate/administration & dosage , Double-Blind Method , Drug Combinations , Glucocorticoids , Korea , Lincomycin/administration & dosage , Linoleic Acid/administration & dosage , Melanosis/drug therapy , Molecular Structure , OintmentsABSTRACT
Segmental neurofibromatosis is rare disorder characterized by cafe-au-lait macules and neurofibromas, or only neurofibromas, limited to one region of the body. Typically the neurofibromas are unilateral and are occupied a single dermatome in most patients. We report a 62-year-old man with segmental neurofibromatosis on the right knee in the distribution of dermatomes L3 and L4.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Knee , Neurofibroma , Neurofibromatoses , Neurofibromatosis 1ABSTRACT
Occasionally, patients with gastrointestinal Crohn's disease (CD) develop granulomatous skin lesions at sites remote from the gastrointestinal tract, separated from other ulcerations by normal skin, a phenomenon that has been referred to as metastatic cutaneous CD. Although metastatic CD of the vulval region has been often reported in English literature, we could not find such cases with family history. We report a case of vulval CD occurring in siblings.
Subject(s)
Humans , Crohn Disease , Gastrointestinal Tract , Siblings , Skin , Ulcer , VulvaABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ingrown toenail is one of the most common nail complaints. It occurs chiefly on the great toes, where there is an excessive lateral nail growth into the nail fold, leading to painful irritation, inflammation, infection, and growth of excessive granulation tissue. Many treatments have been described, but these classic treatment modalities may lead to severe damage of the nail fold or to frequent relapses. OBJECTIVE: We attempted to evaluate the therapeutic effect of nail splinting which is a noninvasive therapy for ingrown toenails. METHODS: A total of 64 patients(78 lesions) with ingrown toenails were enrolled in the study. The lateral edge of the nail plate including the spicule is splinted with a lengthwise-incised flexible plastic tube. The efficacy of nail splinting for ingrown toenail was assessed by analyzing the degrees of post-treatment pain and a recurrence rate. RESULTS: 1.The average age of the patients was 37 years old. There were 38 male patients(47 lesions) and 26 female patients(31 lesions). The right big toe was affected in 27 patients and the left big toe in 23 patients. Fourteen patients had both feet affected at the same time. 2.The pain all cleared in an average 2.3 days of treatment. Other problems such as redness, swelling and granulation tissue gradually decreased as time went by. 3.There was a 7.8% recurrence rate at six months after the procedure. CONCLUSION:We recommend nail splint as an alternative to traditional treatment for ingrown toenail because it is simple and easy to perform, noninvasive, effective, well tolerated, and does not require any special equipment.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Foot , Granulation Tissue , Inflammation , Nails , Naphazoline , Plastics , Recurrence , Splints , ToesABSTRACT
Pincer nail is a dystrophy characterized by an increase of transverse curvature along the longitudinal axis of the nail and reaches its greatest proportion at the distal part. We report a case of a 20-year-old woman with pronounced pincer nails on both toe nails. By median longitudinal incision with use of CO2 laser, her nail plate was separated, and aluminum splint was applied on nail plate. Her pain disappeared one month after treatment. The treated nail showed a normal shape even at the 12 months of follow-up. We recommend nail plate separation as a good method for treatment of pincer nail.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Young Adult , Aluminum , Axis, Cervical Vertebra , Follow-Up Studies , Lasers, Gas , Splints , ToesABSTRACT
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a heterogeneous group of inherited generalized connective tissue disorders characterized by hyperextensibility and fragility of skin, joint hepermobility, abnormal scarring, easy bruisibility, visceral and neurological manifestations. It is classified into 10 different major subtypes based on genetic, biochemical, and clinical characteristics. We report a case of type II Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in a 19-year-old male who showed soft and velvety skin with marked hyperextensibility, thin atrophic scarring from trauma, and hypermobile finger joints.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Young Adult , Cicatrix , Connective Tissue , Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome , Finger Joint , Joints , Molecular Biology , Neurologic Manifestations , SkinABSTRACT
An epidermal grafting using the top of suction blister has been used successfully for the treatment of depigmented skin, such as vitiligo, achromic areas after dermabrasion, and burns. A 9-year-old girl showed the delayed wound healing of epidermal grafting site for the treatment of vitiligo on popliteal fossa. Direct microscopic examination (KOH) from the wound showed numerous hyphae. Fungus culture and germ tube test confirmed Candida albicans from the wound surface. The wound healed by antifungal treatment, leaving scar.
Subject(s)
Child , Female , Humans , Blister , Burns , Candida albicans , Cicatrix , Dermabrasion , Fungi , Hyphae , Skin , Suction , Transplants , Vitiligo , Wound Healing , Wounds and InjuriesABSTRACT
Dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria(DSH), also known as reticulated acropigmentation of Dohi, is a rare pigmentary disorder that has autosomal dominant inheritance. Characteristic lesion includes a mixture of hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules with reticulate pattern, which are distributed on the dorsal aspects of the extremities. We report a 5-year-old boy who showed typical DSH with family history in four generations.