ABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Epithelial Cells , PorokeratosisABSTRACT
Aseptic subcutaneous abscesses are characterized by deep, round lesions histologically consisting of neutrophils, without evidence of microorganisms on culture. Although these are sometimes reported in healthy individuals, most are reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A 79-year-old man without underlying disease presented with multiple skin-colored nodules and masses on his face and extremities 4 years ago. All of the microbiology studies for bacteria and fungi were negative and he did not respond to antibiotics. However, the lesions improved markedly after systemic prednisolone treatment. We diagnosed his lesions as aseptic subcutaneous abscesses. Further studies to evaluate inflammatory bowel disease were negative. Here, we report a case of multiple aseptic subcutaneous abscesses without an underlying disease.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Abscess , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Bacteria , Colitis, Ulcerative , Crohn Disease , Extremities , Fungi , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases , Neutrophils , PrednisoloneABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Long-term use of various topical and systemic therapies for atopic dermatitis is associated with cutaneous and systemic adverse effects. Balneotherapy as an adjuvant treatment for atopic dermatitis has been extensively studied, and is considered effective and safe, in many countries. However, there is limited evidence from Korea, with only one previous report on the subject. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of balneotherapy in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in a Korean population. METHODS: Thirty atopic dermatitis patients were included in this randomized clinical trial evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of balneotherapy at Yuseong Spa, for four weeks. The patients were assigned to two groups: the control group (allowed treatment only) and balneotherapy group (additionally treated with balneotherapy). Assessment was made at baseline, and after 1, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: At week 4, compared with the control group, the balneotherapy group showed significantly greater improvement in the eczema area and severity index score, physician's global assessment, patient's self global assessment, and in the measured value of transepidermal water loss. The visual analog scale for pruritus in the balneotherapy group decreased, whereas it increased in the control group. None of the patients experienced any adverse events. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that balneotherapy may be beneficial, is safe, and may increase the quality of life for patients with atopic dermatitis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Balneology , Dermatitis, Atopic , Eczema , Korea , Pruritus , Quality of Life , Visual Analog ScaleABSTRACT
Etanercept is widely used to treat autoimmune rheumatic, digestive, and dermatologic diseases such as psoriasis. It acts as a competitive inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and has acceptable safety and tolerability profiles. However, patients occasionally experience serious adverse effects such as infection, malignancy, cardiovascular events, and pulmonary disease. A 43-year-old man with a 10-year history of psoriasis presented with cough and exertional dyspnea that had developed 4 months after the initial etanercept administration. His symptoms continued to aggravate, and chest radiography and high-resolution computed tomography showed a diffuse reticulonodular infiltrate and ground-glass attenuation. As these clinical and radiologic findings suggested drug induced interstitial lung disease, we withdrew etanercept and initiated oral prednisolone treatment. The patient showed gradual improvement of the disease. Interstitial lung disease, although rare, is a potentially fatal adverse effect of TNF-alpha inhibitor treatment. Therefore, we recommend considering the possibility of interstitial lung disease in patients suffering from pulmonary symptoms who are taking TNF-alpha inhibitors.