ABSTRACT
A nevus with cyst is defined as a single lesion of a melanocytic nevus, and this is commonly associated with an epidermal cyst. For the previously reported cases of a nevus with cyst, most of the melanocytic nevi were of the intradermal or compound type. There have been rare reported cases of dysplastic nevus, blue nevus, Spitz nevus, congenital melanocytic nevus and so forth. We report here on a rare case of congenital melanocytic nevus combined with an epidermal cyst in a 21-year-old woman.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Young Adult , Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome , Epidermal Cyst , Nevus , Nevus, Blue , Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell , Nevus, PigmentedABSTRACT
Pseudoaneurysms of the superficial temporal artery are rare lesions. They present as slowly growing pulsating masses of the face or scalp. The common causes are blunt head trauma, penetrating wounds or interventional procedures. We report here on a rare case of superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysm in a 44-year-old woman who presented with a pulsating mass, and this mass occurred on the left temporal area 2 weeks after performing a skin punch biopsy.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Aneurysm, False , Biopsy , Head Injuries, Penetrating , Scalp , Skin , Temporal ArteriesABSTRACT
Milium-like syringoma is a rare clinical variant of syringoma, characterized by 1~2 mm, yellowish-white, domed papules. Milium-like syringoma can be clinically mistaken for milia because the lesions are usually similar in appearance. Histopathological examination showed keratin-filled cysts in the papillary dermis and numerous tadpole-shaped epithelial strands in the upper half of the dermis below the cyst. Moreover, most cases report the direct connection between the epithelial strands and the wall of the keratin-filled cyst. We report a rare case of milium-like syringoma in an 8-year-old girl.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Dermis , SyringomaABSTRACT
Diffuse plane xanthoma is a group of plane xanthomas that present in yellow to yellowish-brown flat patches on the periorbital area, neck, upper trunk and flexural folds. It is rare and often associated with reticulo-endothelial malignancies such as multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance and other lympho-proliferative disorders. We report a case of diffuse plane xanthoma associated with monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance and diffuse large B cell lymphoma in a 75 year-old woman.
Subject(s)
Lymphoma, B-Cell , Multiple Myeloma , Neck , Paraproteinemias , XanthomatosisABSTRACT
Milia en plaque (MEP) is an unusual and rare variant of milia characterized by tiny papules overlying an erythematous plaque. The majority of cases have been described as occurring around the ears. The histopathologic finding is consistent with milia. Despite its benign nature and lack of symptoms, MEP raises cosmetic concerns. We report a case of MEP occurring on the left 3rd finger, an unusual location, in a 2-year-old girl.
Subject(s)
Cosmetics , Ear , Fingers , Child, PreschoolABSTRACT
Milia-like idiopathic calcinosis cutis is a rare entity. It is characterized by micronodular, whitish papules resembling milia. Histopathological examination shows small nodular foci of calcium within the superficial dermis, which are surrounded by thick collagen and inflammatory cells. Although the pathogenesis and treatment remain unclear, spontaneous resolution of the lesions may occur. We report a case of milia-like idiopathic calcinosis cutis in a 7-year-old girl who improved after treatment with tretinoin cream.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Calcinosis , Calcium , Collagen , Dermis , TretinoinABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Sensitive skin is largely agreed to be a lay term used by individuals who have reduced tolerance to frequent or prolonged use of cosmetics and toiletries, with symptoms ranging from subjective neurosensory forms of discomfort such as stinging, burning, itching, tightness and smarting sensations to visible signs of irritation such as erythema and scaling. Although the concept of sensitive skin is intriguing to many dermatologists, the diagnosis is dependant on self-perceived symptoms. Models to define sensitive skin are not standardized, and the term sensitive skin can be misleading. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate difference of influence to skin barrier function between corrosive and non-corrosive agents in sensitive skin. METHODS: 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 2% solution of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and 1%, 2.5%, 5%, 20% solution of nonanoic acid (NAA) were applied on volar forearm skin for 24 hours in healthy controls and self-perceived sensitive skin subjects without underlying problems. Clinical score, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and erythema-index (E-index) were compared between healthy controls and the sensitive skin group. RESULTS: Clinical scores, TEWL values and E-indices showed a rising curve concentration for each irritant in a similar pattern. There were no significant differences in clinical score and TEWL value between non-sensitive and sensitive skin. In contrast, E-indices evaluated from sensitive skin subjects were much higher than those in a healthy controls. CONCLUSION: An elevated TEWL value indicates barrier impairment. An increase in the erythema parameter shows that cutaneous vascular reactions have an unspecifically exaggerated reaction to various irritants and this induces multifarious inflammatory reactions and vasodilation. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that sensitive skin without underlying disease is derived from cutaneous vascular hyperreactivity and various inflammatory reactions, rather than barrier impairment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Bites and Stings , Burns , Diagnosis , Erythema , Forearm , Irritants , Pruritus , Sensation , Skin , Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate , VasodilationABSTRACT
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is characterized clinically by a locally aggressive growth and a high rate of local recurrence, but distant metastases and tumor related deaths are very rare. Several histologic variants have been described. Among them, sarcomatous change in DFSP represents a form of tumor progression and is associated with a worse prognosis than ordinary DFSP. As a result, it needs more intense treatment and close follow-up care after treatment. A 50-year-old woman presented with a 6 month history of a solitary, walnut-sized, erythematous, hard fixed nodule on her right lower abdomen. Histopathologic examination revealed increased cytologic atypia and mitotic activity with a herringbone growth pattern and negativity for CD34. We report a case of fibrosarcomatous dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans treated by wide surgical excision.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Abdomen , Dermatofibrosarcoma , Follow-Up Studies , Neoplasm Metastasis , Prognosis , RecurrenceABSTRACT
Papular elastorrhexis is a rare disorder in which children or adolescents present with asymptomatic, non-follicular, 1~5 mm firm white papules on the trunk and extremities. Histologically, there are focal areas of collagen homogenization with decreased and fragmented elastic fibers. Most reported cases are sporadic, but familial occurrence has been described. We report an uncommon and interesting case of papular elastorrhexis in both a brother and sister.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Humans , Collagen , Elastic Tissue , Extremities , SiblingsABSTRACT
Bier's spots are small, irregular, hypopigmented macules that are usually found on the arms and legs of young adults. These spots are associated with venous stasis and usually appear in physiological conditions. The hypopigmented macules can be elicited by placing an affected limb in the dependent position, and disappear when the limb is raised. We report a rare case of Bier's spots associated with polycythemia vera on both forearms in a 26-year-old male. We think the hyperviscosity induced by polycythemia vera might be part of the pathogenesis of this phenomenon.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Arm , Extremities , Forearm , Leg , Polycythemia Vera , PolycythemiaABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of growth hormone (GH) following lateral fluid percussion brain injury. METHOD: Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200~250 g were subjected to moderate lateral fluid percussion brain injury and evaluated at 1, 7, 14 and 28 days post-injury. Rats were divided into control and GH pretreatment groups. GH (10 microgram/10microliter) or normal saline (10microgram/10microliter) was administered by intracerebro-ventricular injection 30 min before brain injury. We measured histopathological changes with TUNEL and toluidine blue Nissl stain and conducted motor function tests and an 8-arm radial maze test to identify neurobehavioral deficits and cognitive deficits, respectively, at one day to 4 weeks post-injury. RESULTS: In the pretreated GH group, a significant reduction in TUNEL-positive cells was found compared with the control group at 1 day and 1 week post-injury (p<0.05). The pretreated GH group showed significantly greater improvement than controls motor function tests at 1 day post-injury (p<0.05) and in an 8-arm radial maze test at 2 and 4 weeks post-injury (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that GH had a neuroprotective effect in neuronal cell death, motor function and cognitive deficits following experimental brain injury.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Brain Injuries , Brain , Cell Death , Growth Hormone , In Situ Nick-End Labeling , Neurons , Neuroprotective Agents , Percussion , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Tolonium ChlorideABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QOL) is a broad concept that encompasses all aspects of an individual's existence. Acne is a common inflammatory dermatosis which most frequently affects the face, and produces significant psychological and physical scarring. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare QOL in patients with acne and healthy controls by using the WHO QOL Scale, and to assess QOL of patients with acne by using the generic (WHO Quality of life scale), dermatology-specific (Skindex-29) and acne-specific (APSEA) questionnaires. The relationship between clinical characteristics and QOL were explored. Additionally, financial values which patients attach to the treatment for their acne were determined. METHODS: 170 acne patients and 41 healthy controls were recruited in this study and completed the WHO QOL- BREF Scale. Total scores and scores of domains of the WHO QOL Scale in the two groups were compared. Correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were performed to examine the relationship between the quality of life and the clinical characteristics of patients with acne. RESULTS: Total score of WHO QOL scale in patients with acne were decreased compared to those in healthy controls. Clinical characteristics, including the severity of depression and anxiety, disease duration, clinical severity and self-reported severity (SRS), showed significant correlation with QOL. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the severity of depression and anxiety, and SRS were factors directly affecting the QOL in the patients with acne. As for financial aspects, 27.6% of patients would pay 100,000~500,000 won for acne treatment, but 33.5% of patients answered they would not pay when cost of treatment exceeded 100,000 won. CONCLUSION: QOL in patients with acne was poorer than that of healthy controls. The association between QOL and SRS was stronger than QOL and clinical severity. The severity of depression and anxiety was the most important predictor on QOL.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acne Vulgaris , Anxiety , Cicatrix , Depression , Quality of Life , Skin DiseasesABSTRACT
Acquired fibrokeratoma is a relatively rare, benign tumor which occurs most frequently on the fingers and toes. Because of the digital predilection, a term of digital fibrokeratoma has been frequently used. We herein present a case of acquired fibrokeratoma occuring on the lip, which is an unusual site for this lesion. A skin-colored and pea-sized papule was found on the lip of a 25-year-old woman. Histopathologic examination revealed typical features of acquired fibrokeratoma.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Fingers , Lip , ToesABSTRACT
Spiny keratoderma is a rare disorder and consists of multiple tiny keratotic plugs on the fingers and palms, which resemble the spines on a music box. Histopathologically, the lesions show compact columns of parakeratosis, with no granular layer beneath the column and no remarkable changes in the underlying epidermis and dermis. However, it is important to recognize that the disease is associated with internal malignancies. We report a case of spiny keratoderma in a 3-year-old girl, who had no associated underlying disorder.
Subject(s)
Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Dermis , Epidermis , Fingers , Music , Parakeratosis , SpineABSTRACT
Foreign-body reaction is characterised by a chronic, proliferative, inflammatory skin reaction. Histopathologically, foreign-body reaction typically exhibits a granulomatous response, which is marked by histiocytes and giant cells surrounding the foreign material. In addition, lymphocytes as well as plasma cells and neutrophils are usually present. The reaction can be caused by substances such as silk, nylon, wood, paraffin, silicon, talc, starch, oils, animal and vegetable spines or bristles and human hair. We report two cases of foreign-body reaction caused by wooden splinter, which has rarely been reported in previous literature.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Foreign-Body Reaction , Giant Cells , Hair , Histiocytes , Lymphocytes , Neutrophils , Nylons , Oils , Paraffin , Plasma Cells , Silk , Skin , Spine , Starch , Talc , Vegetables , WoodABSTRACT
Aleukemic leukemia cutis is a rare condition characterized by invasion of leukemic cells in the skin before their appearance in the peripheral blood or bone marrow. We report a case of a 24-year-old man who presented with a 2-month history of nodules on his chin and left thigh. His medical history included acute myelocytic leukemia which had been in complete remission for 13 years and seminoma of the right testis which had been treated with orchiectomy 1 year before. Biopsy of the cutaneous lesions revealed infiltrating cells characterized by irregular shaped or kidney bean-shaped nuclei with abundant pale, slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm. These atypical cells stained positive for leukocyte common antigen, lysozyme and myeloperoxidase. His peripheral blood examination and bone marrow biopsy failed to demonstrate leukemic changes. With these results, a diagnosis of aleukemic leukemia cutis was made. We then performed another immunohistochemical stain for lysozyme and myeloperoxidase on the testicular specimen which had been diagnosed as seminoma 1 year previously. The tumor cells of seminoma were lysozyme- and myeloperoxidase-positive. We were also able to diagnose seminoma as isolated granulocytic sarcoma. A complete remission of the cutaneous lesion was achieved with chemotherapy, but recurrent leukemia cutis reappeared six months later. He underwent a bone marrow transplant but died 3 months later.
Subject(s)
Humans , Young Adult , Leukocyte Common Antigens , Biopsy , Bone Marrow , Chin , Cytoplasm , Diagnosis , Drug Therapy , Eosinophils , Kidney , Leukemia , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute , Muramidase , Orchiectomy , Peroxidase , Sarcoma, Myeloid , Seminoma , Skin , Testis , ThighABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: With the development of bioengineering techniques for noninvasive characterization of skin pathophysiology, the induction of irritant dermatitis by surfactants has been extensively studied. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to compare the skin responses in terms of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and erythema induced by benzalkonium chloride (BAC), a well-known non-corrosive irritant, in comparison with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a representative corrosive irritant. METHOD: We applied 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2% solutions of BAC and SLS on volar forearm skin for 24 hours using a large Finn chamber with filter paper disc on 19 normal healthy subjects. TEWL and erythema index (E-index) were measured prior to testing, then at 30 minutes, one day, two days, three days, one week, and two weeks after the removal of the patches. RESULTS: TEWL values of BAC and SLS patch areas increased with concentration. However, BAC induced a significantly lower TEWL increase than SLS did at the corresponding concentrations. TEWL induced by BAC was highest at 30 minutes after the removal of the patch, whereas TEWL induced by SLS was highest at one day. TEWL values had recovered with the passage of time to baseline values at 2 weeks after removal of the patch at lower concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.5%) of SLS, but still showed significantly high TEWL values at 1% and 2% concentration SLS patch areas. TEWL values of BAC in 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1% concentrations had recovered to the baseline values at 2 weeks after the removal of the patch, but not in 2% concentration BAC patch areas. E-indices of BAC and SLS increased with concentration in a similar reaction pattern. E-index induced by BAC was highest at 30 minutes after the removal of the patch, and E-index induced by SLS was highest at 30 minutes or 1 day after the removal of the patch. E-index of each concentration, except 2%, had recovered with the passage of time to baseline values on both BAC and SLS patch areas at 2 weeks, but E-indices of both 2% BAC and SLS did not recover at 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: Benzalkonium chloride showed much less damage to the skin barrier function compared to the corresponding concentration of SLS, whilst they showed a similar degree of erythema. Skin barrier function affected by the corrosive irritant SLS would need a more prolonged recovery time than skin barrier disruption by non-corrosive irritant BAC.