ABSTRACT
Pachydermoperiostosis (PDP) is a male predominant rare genodermatosis. Various clinical presentations includes pachydermia (thickened and folded skin), periostosis and digital clubbing. Both the skin and the extremity findings are seen in the complete form, whereas the incomplete form lacks the skin findings. We report a case of primary form of pachydermoperiostosis together with literature review.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Extremities , Osteoarthropathy, Primary Hypertrophic , Rhytidoplasty , SkinABSTRACT
There are many therapeutic methods for treating vitiligo, including narrow-band UVB, topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, excimer laser, and surgical methods, such as autologous epidermal grafting and dermabrasion. However, although various treatments have been tried, there is still no reliable treatment. Recently, there were several reports about the use of fractional laser combined with narrow-band (NB) UVB to treat vitiligo. A 33-year-old male patient presented with hypopigmented patch on lower right abdominal area. After being diagnosed with vitiligo, the patient underwent NB-UVB treatment and application of a topical agent for two years but failed to show response. To evaluate the efficacy of non-ablative fractional laser, a 1550-nm erbium:glass (Er:Glass) fractional laser was applied to whole area of the lesion. The area showed erythema and brown microscopic epidermal necrotic debris. Five days after the laser procedure, NB-UVB treatment with application of a topical agent was initiated once or twice a week, followed by pigmentation of the treated area . The fractional laser was reapplied three months later, and the patient is currently under observation and is still being treated with NB-UVB. We observed successful treatment of refractory vitiligo with the combination of non-ablative 1550-nm Er:Glass fractional laser, NB-UVB, and a topical agent. We consider non-ablative Er:Glass fractional laser as a favorable choice of treatment for refractory vitiligo.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Adrenal Cortex Hormones , Calcineurin Inhibitors , Dermabrasion , Erythema , Lasers, Excimer , Pigmentation , Transplants , VitiligoABSTRACT
Recently, various modalities for noninvasive reduction of adipose tissue, including cryolipolysis, radiofrequency, low-level laser therapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound, have become available. Among these modalities, cryolipolysisis can selectively target certain tissues rich in lipids. Many preclinical and clinical studies have established the safety and efficacy of cryolipolysis for noninvasive body contouring. However, it can lead to serious adverse effects when performed by untrained clinicians. Thus, to promote the proper and safe use of cyolipolysis, we have summarized the history, basic principles, and adverse effects of cyolipolysis.
Subject(s)
Adipose Tissue , Low-Level Light Therapy , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hand eczema is one of the most common skin disorders and negatively affects quality of life. However, a large-scale multicenter study investigating the clinical features of patients with hand eczema has not yet been conducted in Korea. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of various hand diseases, which is defined as all cutaneous disease occurring in hands, and to investigate the clinical features of patients with hand eczema and the awareness about hand eczema in the general population and to compare the prevalence of hand eczema between health care providers and non-health care providers. METHODS: To estimate the prevalence of hand diseases, we analyzed the medical records of patients from 24 medical centers. Patients were assessed by online and offline questionnaires. A 1,000 from general population and 913 hand eczema patients answered the questionnaire, for a total of 1,913 subjects. RESULTS: The most common hand disease was irritant contact dermatitis. In an online survey, the lifetime prevalence of hand eczema was 31.2%. Hand eczema was more likely to occur in females (66.0%) and younger (20~39 years, 53.9%). Health care providers and housewives were the occupations most frequently associated with hand eczema. Winter (33.6%) was the most common season which people experienced aggravation. The 63.0% and 67.0% answered that hand eczema hinders their personal relationship and negatively affects daily living activities, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hand eczema is a very common disease and hinders the quality of life. The appropriate identification of hand eczema is necessary to implement effective and efficient treatment.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Activities of Daily Living , Dermatitis, Contact , Eczema , Hand , Health Personnel , Korea , Medical Records , Occupations , Prevalence , Quality of Life , Seasons , Skin , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It is unclear how the usage of topical steroid agents affects skin barrier function. OBJECTIVE: In order to follow up on previous research into this topic, we sought to investigate the effects of a 3-week application of topical mometasone cream on the alteration of skin barrier function. METHODS: Twenty-six patients who had been clinically diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis were enrolled. Topical mometasone cream was applied to the skin lesions. Clinical symptoms, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), corneometer unit, and pH value were measured on the initial visit, 1 week after treatment, and 3 weeks after treatment, and their values were compared. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms showed improvement after topical mometasone cream was applied (p0.05). CONCLUSION: This study found that treatment with topical mometasone cream for 3 weeks has no effect on skin barrier function. We believe that this research will help determine the optimal duration and dosage of topical steroid agents used for treating allergic contact dermatitis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact , Dermatitis, Contact , Follow-Up Studies , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Skin , Mometasone FuroateABSTRACT
Alloplastic implants have been used to repair orbital wall fractures in most cases. Orbital hemorrhage is a rare complication of these implants and has been reported rarely in Korea. The purpose of this article is to report a late complication case focusing on their etiology and management. A 20-year-old male patient underwent open reduction with Medpor (porous polyethylene) insertion for bilateral orbital floor fractures. The initial symptom occurred with proptosis in the right side as well as vertical dystopia, which had started 4 days earlier, 8 months after surgery. Any trauma history after the surgery was not present. We performed an exploration and removal of hematoma with Medpor titanium meshed alloplastic implant. A case of delayed orbital hematoma following alloplastic implant insertion was identified. It occurred within the pseudocapsule of the implant. One week after surgery, overall symptoms improved successfully, and no complications were reported during the 11-month follow-up period. Although rare, orbital hemorrhage is a potential complication of alloplastic orbital floor implants, which may present many years after surgery. As in the case presented, delayed hematoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of late proptosis or orbital dystopia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Young Adult , Diagnosis, Differential , Exophthalmos , Follow-Up Studies , Hematoma , Hemorrhage , Korea , Orbit , TitaniumABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Antiphospholipid Syndrome , Aspirin , Vasculitis , WarfarinABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Antiphospholipid Syndrome , Aspirin , Vasculitis , WarfarinABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The relationship between viral hepatitis and lichen planus (LP) remains as a matter of controversy. Geographical variations are suggested to be a major factor influencing such association. Reliable figures from Korean patients are still lacking. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in Korean patients with lichen planus (LP) and to compare it with patients without LP. METHODS: The retrospective study was performed on 45 LP patients and 45 controls with matching age and gender. We examined for serological evidences of hepatic disease, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and anti-HCV seropositivity. Statistical analysis was calculated by using an unpaired t-test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: No significant differences between the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed between the two groups. The prevalence of HBsAg in LP patients (4.4%) was not significantly higher (p>0.05) than those of the control subjects (2.2%). None of the patients with LP nor the control subjects had Anti-HCV. CONCLUSION: Korean patients with LP did not have any significant associations with liver diseases or HBV, and HCV infections. Although a large-scale multicenter study is needed to support our results, it is not advisable for Korean patients with LP to be tested for liver functions or HBV, and HCV infections as part of a routine screening test.
Subject(s)
Humans , Alanine Transaminase , Aspartate Aminotransferases , Hepacivirus , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens , Hepatitis B virus , Hepatitis , Lichen Planus , Lichens , Liver Diseases , Liver Function Tests , Liver , Mass Screening , Prevalence , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Except for special situations, it is generally agreed that best results in the treatment of facial fractures is expected if reduction is done within the first 2 or 3 weeks after injury. We reduced facial bone fractures at 4 to 7 weeks after trauma. A 44-year-old female patient underwent open reduction for her right zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture at 7 weeks after injury. A 59-year-old female patient underwent surgery for the right mandible body and left parasymphysis fractures at 4 weeks after injury. Using traditional approaches, granulation tissue and callus were removed from the fracture sites, and malunited fracture lines were separated by a small osteotome. We reduced the displaced fractured zygoma and mandible to their normal anatomical positions and fixed them using titanium plates. No complications such as asymmetry, malunion, malocclusion, or trismus were seen. Unfavorable asymmetric facial contours were corrected, and we obtained good occlusion with favorable bony alignment. The functional and aesthetic outcomes were satisfactory. Through removal the callus and limited osteotomy, a successful approach to the previously fractured line was possible, and an exact correction with symmetry was obtained. This method can be a good option for obtaining good mobility and clinical results in treating delayed facial bone fractures.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Bony Callus , Facial Bones , Fractures, Malunited , Granulation Tissue , Malocclusion , Mandible , Mandibular Fractures , Osteotomy , Titanium , Trismus , Zygoma , Zygomatic FracturesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We investigated the associations between enterprise-scale levels, the information supplied regarding workplace safety and health, and occupational injury and disease using a nationally representative sample of Korean workers. METHODS: We used data from the '2006 Working Condition Survey' performed by the Korean Occupational Safety & Health Agency. Demographic variables, employment characteristics, workplace hazards, enterprise-scale levels, information supplied regarding workplace safety and health, and occupational injury and disease were included for the study. RESULTS: Subjects who had high incomes, or who were male, full-time workers, or shift workers were more likely to provide safety and health information at work, compared to other workers' groups. The larger the enterprise-scale level, the more likely they would offer information on safety and health at work. Workers who worked in small companies, especially those with less than 10 employees, were the most likely respondents to provide safety and health information. In the corresponding logistic regression, the presence of occupational injuries and disease was significantly associated with the provision of health and safety information, the enterprise-scale level had little correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the provision of health and safety information is a critical factor regarding occupational injuries and disease. Proper safety and health education, even in small companies, may contribute to a decrease in occupational disease and injury.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Data Collection , Employment , Health Education , Logistic Models , Occupational Diseases , Occupational Health , Occupational InjuriesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the level of aircraft noise exposure and how it relates to hearing loss, and to investigate the association between noise exposure and anxiety and depression in subjects residing adjacent to a military airbase. METHODS: The study was conducted upon 898 inhabitants between the ages of 30-79, living near the military airbase in Jeonra-do. The subjects were divided into three noise-exposure groups: high-exposure, low-exposure, and a control group. The cut-values were 80 and 60 on the Weighted Equivalent Continuous Perceived Noise Level scale. A self-administered questionnaire including the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were completed. Pure tone audiometry tests were performed. RESULTS: Hearing loss prevalence was defined by a >40 dB loss in bilateral ears or in one ear; the difference of or =22 was 317 (35.3%), with BDIs > or =21 was 347 (38.6%). The pure tone average, BAI, and BDI scores were higher in the noise-exposure groups compared to the control. The BAI/BDI abnormal subjects showed a higher hearing threshold shift level compared to the normal scored subjects. The odd ratios for anxiety was significantly high in both noise exposure groups and the hearing loss, for depression was significantly high in high-exposure group and hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety and depression were higher when exposure to high-level noise and further complicated by hearing loss. Further investigation is needed to determine the cause-effect relationship.
Subject(s)
Humans , Aircraft , Anxiety , Audiometry , Depression , Ear , Hearing , Hearing Loss , Military Personnel , Noise , Prevalence , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Although increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) is caused by stress accelerates collagen degradation, there was no data on the relationship between stress and urinary hydroxyproline (Hyp) and proline (Pro), a good marker of collagen degradation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) and concentrations of urinary Hyp and Pro. METHODS: 97 hospital employees aged 20 to 58 were asked to fill out comprehensive self-administrated questionnaires containing information about their medical history, lifestyle, length of the work year, shit-work and DAS. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) was applied to evaluate chronic mental disorders. Urine samples were analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with double derivatization for the assay of hydroxyproline and proline. RESULTS: The mean value of Hyp and Pro concenturation in all subjects was 194.1+/-113.4 micromol/g and 568.2+/-310.7 micromol/g. DASS values and urinary Pro concentrations were differentiated by sex (female > male, p others, p < 0.05). In the stepwise multiple linear regressions, urinary Hyp and Pro concentrations were influenced by stress (Adjusted r2 = 0.051) and anxiety and job (Adjusted r2 = 0.199), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found that stress and anxiety were correlated with urinary Hyp and Pro concentrations. To identifying a definite correlation, further study in large populations will be needed.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Anxiety/urine , Depression/urine , Hydroxyproline/urine , Personnel, Hospital/psychology , Proline/urine , Surveys and Questionnaires , Republic of Korea , Stress, Psychological/urineABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of aircraft noise exposure on children's mental health problems such as depression and personality. METHODS: We obtained data from the health examinations of school children in the vicinity of Gunsan airport. This survey was conducted in the rural area, Gunsan during 2009. The study population included 195 children attending 4th to 6th grade from 6 elementary schools near the airport. Based on 60 Weighted Equivalent Continuous Perceived Noise Level (WECPNL) measures of aircraft noise, participants were divided into 2 groups; the exposure group consisted of 106 children from 4 schools, and the reference group included 89 children from the 2 schools in Gunsan. All children completed questions on general characteristics, the Korean Children's Depression Inventory (KCDI) for depression, and the Korea Human Nature Inspection (KHNI) for personality. RESULTS: Children in the exposure group were at higher risk of depression (5.62, 95% CI 1.12~28.25), and personality changes (2.08, 95% CI 1.07~4.05) than those of the reference group. In particular, children's diligence, cooperation, and concentration, subgroups of personality measure, were affected significantly and negatively, by aircraft noise level. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that exposure to aircraft noise at school is associated with mental health problems in children. Requirements should be implemented to manage aircraft noise of its affect on children's health.