A Clinical Study on the Efficacy of Cosmetics Containing the Root of Ephedra sinica and the Bark of Betula platyphylla var. japonica Related to Skin Furrows / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Skin smoothness in aging skin, in combination of intrinsic aging and photoaging, is of ever-increasing interest which leads to the development of various wrinkle diminuation products including those containing herbal medicines. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of cosmetics containing roots of Ephedra sinica and Betula platyphylla var. japonica on reducing skin furrows. METHOD: Creams containing Ephedra sinica's root and Betula platyphylla var. japonica were applied to forearms of 30 healthy subjects in 2 age groups for 8 weeks and 4 weeks, respectively while silicone skin replicas were taken from medial and lateral sides of the forearm every 4 weeks of the study starting from the week 0. Then the changes of the skin furrows were analyzed with skin visiometer. RESULTS: 1. At week 8, a significant reduction of average roughness and maximum roughness were observed in volunteers younger than age 50 on their Ephedra sinica's root-treated side compared with the placebo-treated side (p<0.05). 2. No statistically significant changes were observed with both Ephedra sinica's root and Betula platyphylla var. japonica in the group of age over 50. 3. Comparison of the changes between treatment groups of both Ephedra sinica's root and Betula platyphylla var. japonica at any assessment time did not show statistically significant differences between the medial and lateral side of forearm, while the treatment group of Ephedra sinica's root showed statistically significant differences between the young and old at week 8 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of Ephedra sinica's root seems to be partially effective in improving skin furrows in youth. To our knowledge, this study is the first trial to evaluate the efficacy of both Ephedra sinica's root and Betula platyphylla var. japonica on decreasing wrinkle in the world.

A Case of Focal Acantholytic Dyskeratosis Presenting as a Solitary Papule / 대한피부과학회지

Focal acantholytic dyskeratosis (FAD) was introduced by Ackerman to describe a group of clinically various dermatologic conditions having a similar histologic appearance. The characteristic histologic findings included (1) suprabasilar clefts around preserved papillae, (2) acantholytic and dyskeratotic cells at all levels of the epidermis, and (3) hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis. Almost solitary lesions of FAD are histologically incidental or clinically nodular(warty dyskeratoma). The papular form of solitary FAD is an extremely rare condition identified by the reviewing of specimens or reported as a solitary lesion developing in the mouth. We report a case of focal acantholytic dyskeratosis presenting as a solitary papule on the perianal area.

A Case of Granular Cell Tumors / 대한피부과학회지

Granular cell tumors are uncommon benign tumors occurring most commonly on the tongue, skin and subcutaneous tissue. They are most often seen as a solitary nodule in adults. Multiple lesions are very rare, particularly in children. We report a case of multiple granular cell tumors in a 13-year-old boy on his left arm which was presented as firm, flesh-colored, match-head to pea-sized, tender nodules for 6 months. Histologically, the tumors are nonencapsulated nodules, composed of large, polyhedral cells with an abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm. By immunohistochemistry, the granular cells are strongly positive for S-100 protein.

Nevus Lipomatosus Superficialis on the Left Leg

Nevus lipomatosus superficialis presented as soft, yellowish papules or cerebriform plaques occurring usually on the buttock or thigh, less often on the ear or scalp. We herein report a case of nevus lipomatosus superficialis on the leg.

A Case of Multiple Eruptive Milia Occurring on Both External Ears / 대한피부과학회지

Milia are common benign keratinous cysts that occur most commonly on the face, particularly on the eyelids and cheeks. Primary milia arise spontaneously, and secondary milia may arise after clearing of inflammatory skin diseases and trauma. Multiple eruptive milia is a rare condition in which crops of milia develop suddenly on the face and upper trunk. Histologically, milia show cysts lined by stratified squamous epithelium containing laminated layers of keratin. We report a case of multiple eruptive milia on both external ears of 54-year-old woman.

A Case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated With Hydroxyurea Therapy / 대한피부과학회지

The association of skin tumors and long-term use of hydroxyurea is recently recognized. We report a case of a patient who developed squamous cell carcinoma on the face during long-term treatment with hydroxyurea for polycythemia vera. As hydroxyurea is frequently used to treat myeloproliferative diseases, we suggest the clinical awareness of the increased risk of skin cancers in patients with long-term hydroxyurea therapy.

A Case of Rabies Diagnosis by Skin Biopsy Including Hair Follicles on the Posterior Neck / 대한피부과학회지

Rabies is a fatal infection of the central nervous system acquired most often through a virus transmitted in saliva by a rabid animal. It is important to rapidly and accurately identify the rabies virus so that appropriate rabies preventive measures can be initiated to the general population. However, the diagnosis of clinical rabies is difficult and is often not made until after death of the patient. Early in the course of illness, the most reliable diagnostic test is a nuchal skin biopsy including hair follicles with fluorescent antibody staining or with PCR. We report a case of rabies diagnosis with hair follicle from a patient suspected of having the infection. It is the first case reported in Korea that the diagnosis of rabies was made on a skin biopsy.