Combination of Non-Ablative Fractional Laser with Q-Switched Laser for the Treatment of Becker’s Nevus: Efficacy and Limitations

Becker’s nevus (BN) is a benign hamartoma that may present as a distressing cosmetic problem. The treatment of BN poses a significant challenge as current therapeutic modalities are suboptimal and have an increased risk of adverse effects, such as scarring and dyspigmentation. We present the use of non-ablative fractional laser therapy combined with Q-switched Nd:YAG laser as a possible therapeutic option for BN treatment and review relevant literature to discuss its efficacy and limitations.

Multiple Spider Angiomas as a Predictive Diagnostic Marker of Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis / 대한피부과학회지

Spider angioma (SA) may present as solitary or multiple lesions. Studies have shown that approximately 60% of pregnant women and 38% of healthy children have at least one spider telangiectasia. Hence, solitary SA in an otherwise healthy individual does not warrant further workup. However, multiple spider angiomas (MSAs) are usually suggestive of an underlying systemic disease. Physical examination for MSAs has been reported as the most reliable method to diagnose alcoholic liver cirrhosis; the presence of MSAs is more indicative of liver cirrhosis than just the history of alcohol use because a very low proportion of alcohol drinkers among the general population develop liver cirrhosis. We report a case of MSAs in a 42-year-old alcoholic woman suggesting that MSA is reliable indicator and a warning sign of liver cirrhosis, suggesting that further evaluation and management with the department of hepatology is necessary.

Use of Cream Containing Mucus Secreted by Snails Has an Anti-aging Effect on Skin / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: A cream made from mucus secreted by snails contains 80% mucin, as well as glycosaminoglycan, allantoin for skin rejuvenation, glycolic acid for keratin removal, and collagen and elastin, which are components of dermis. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of using cream containing mucus secreted by snails to reduce wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, restore dermal density, and lift the skin. METHODS: Cream containing mucus secreted by snails was applied to the lateral epicanthal areas and the left cheek of 10 subjects for 4 weeks twice per day. Wrinkles, skin elasticity, dermal density, and skin tightening were evaluated at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks. A patient survey was conducted at 4 weeks. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between baseline and 4 weeks after applying the cream in terms of wrinkles, skin elasticity, dermal density, and skin tightening (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Use of cream containing mucus secreted by snails seems to be effective for anti-aging of the skin. Long term follow up studies, such as 3 or 6 months, to confirm the efficacy of the cream should be conducted involving a larger number of patients.

The Fine Scratches of the Spectacle Frames and the Allergic Contact Dermatitis

BACKGROUND: Spectacle contact allergy is not infrequent. The fine scratches on the spectacle frames which may play a role in the sensitization to the potential allergenic components have not been studied. OBJECTIVE: We sought the relationship between the scratches on the spectacle frames and the allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in the Republic of Korea. METHODS: A total of 42 Korean patients with ACD at the spectacle contact sites were enrolled. Their spectacle frames were examined with the dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test and analyzed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Patch tests (thin-layer rapid use epicutaneous test [TRUE tests]) were performed to identify the skin allergens. RESULTS: The DMG-positive spectacle frames were identified in 78.5% of the frames. The SEM results showed that there were more scratches on the skin-contacting parts of the spectacle frames than the non-skin-contacting parts of the same frames. In the EDS findings, the mean nickel content (weight, %) of the spectacle frames was 15.7+/-5.5, and the mean chromium content was 20.3+/-3.4 at the skin-contacting parts. In the TRUE tests, nickel sulphate was the most common allergen (31 cases, 73.8%), and potassium dichromate was the second (9 cases, 21.4%). Three patients presented simultaneous positive reactions with nickel sulphate and potassium dichromate. CONCLUSION: Minor visible and non-visible fine scratches on the spectacle frames may present the provocation factors of the ACD. Nickel sulphate was the most common allergen suspected of provoking the spectacle frame-induced ACD, followed by potassium dichromate.

Angular Positioning of Stent Increases Bowel Perforation after Self-Expandable Metal Stent Placement for Malignant Colorectal Obstruction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Some factors like stent wires, balloon dilatation and use of guide wires seems to increase perforation after self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement, but few studies mentioned about the relationship between angulation of malignant stricture and perforation. The present study aimed to confirm that more angular positioning of stents increases perforation. METHODS: This study was conducted with retrospectively evaluation at Digestive Disease Center, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University. Between January 2002 and August 2011, SEMS was inserted in 130 patients with malignant colorectal obstruction. We studied the difference in the angle of stenosis between perforation and non-perforation groups using fluorography images. RESULTS: SEMS insertion was performed in 130 cases of obstruction due to colon cancer. Perforation occurred in eight patients (6.2%) of them. Thirteen cases were excluded from the analysis due to poor fluoroscopic images. Among the eight patients with perforation, the mean stenosis angle was 109.9degrees compared to 153.1degrees in the nonperforation group, indicating that the angle was more acute in the perforation group (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that more angular positioning of stent increases bowel perforation after SEMS placement for malignant colorectal obstruction.

Safety Evaluation of Topical Valproate Application

The potential role of topical valproate (VPA) in hair regrowth has been recently suggested. However, safety reports of VPA as a topical formulation are lacking. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated whether VPA causes skin irritation in humans. We first performed a cell viability test and showed that VPA did not exhibit toxicity toward HaCaT keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and RBL-3H mast cells. We then performed clinical patch test and skin irritation test through transdermal drug delivery with the help of microneedle rollers. No significant findings were obtained in the clinical patch test. In the skin irritation test, only 1 patient showed erythema at 1 hr, but the irritation reaction faded away within a few hours. Erythema and edema were not observed at 24 hr. We concluded that VPA has minimal potential to elicit skin irritation. Therefore, we consider that VPA can safely be applied to human skin.

An Impacted Pancreatic Stone in the Papilla Induced Acute Obstructive Cholangitis in a Patient with Chronic Pancreatitis

Obstructive jaundice is very rarely caused by impaction of a pancreatic stone in the papilla. We report here on a case of obstructive jaundice with acute cholangitis that was caused by an impacted pancreatic stone in the papilla in a patient with chronic pancreatitis. A 48-year-old man presented with acute obstructive cholangitis. Abdominal computed tomography with the reconstructed image revealed distal biliary obstruction that was caused by a pancreatic stone in the pancreatic head, and there was also pancreatic ductal dilatation and parenchymal atrophy of the pancreatic body and tail with multiple calcifications. Emergency duodenoscopy revealed an impacted pancreatic stone in the papilla. Precut papillotomy using a needle knife was performed, followed by removal of the pancreatic stone using grasping forceps. After additional sphincterotomy, a large amount of dark-greenish bile juice gushed out. The patient rapidly improved and he has remained well.

Could a Growth Spurt Cause Linear Focal Elastosis Like Striae Distensae?

Linear focal elastosis (LFE) is characterized by several asymptomatic, yellow, palpable, irregularly indurated, striae-like lines extending horizontally across the middle and lower back. A focal increase in elastic fibers is a hallmark of the disease as seen from biopsy specimens. The pathogenesis of LFE is unclear, as is the association between LFE and striae distensae (SD). However, the prevailing opinion is that LFE represents an excessive regenerative process of elastic fibers and is analogous to keloidal repair of SD. Although the timing of onset of LFE and SD was not synchronous in our patient, the triggering factor was the same, which was the growth spurt. This case is supporting the putative association between LFE and SD.

Rifaximin Plus Levofloxacin-Based Rescue Regimen for the Eradication of Helicobacter pylori

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study assessed the efficacy of a rifaximin plus levofloxacin-based rescue regimen in patients that had failed both triple and quadruple standard regimens for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. METHODS: We treated patients for H. pylori between August 2009 and April 2011. The triple regimen consisted of combined treatment with amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and pantoprazole for 1 week. For failed cases, a quadruple regimen of tetracycline, metronidazole, bismuth dicitrate, and lansoprazole for 1 week was administered. The rescue regimen for persistently refractory cases was rifaximin 200 mg t.i.d., levofloxacin 500 mg q.d., and lansoprazole 15 mg b.i.d. for 1 week. RESULTS: In total, 482 patients were enrolled in this study. The eradication rates associated with the first and second regimens were 58% and 60%, respectively. Forty-seven out of 58 patients who failed with the second-line regimen received rifaximin plus levofloxacin-based third-line therapy. The eradication rate for the third regimen was 65%. The cumulative eradication rates were 58%, 85%, and 96% for each regimen, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A rifaximin plus levofloxacin-based regimen could be an alternative rescue therapy in patients with resistance to both triple and quadruple regimens for the eradication of H. pylori.

Effect of Proton Pump Inhibitor in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis: Pilot Study / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Oxygen free radicals play an important role in acute pancreatitis. Pantoprazole as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) has pancreatic anti-secretory effect and a pronounced inhibitory reactivity towards hydroxyl radicals. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of pantoprazole on the course of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: We conducted a prospective randomized trial involving 40 patients with acute pancreatitis. Patients were divided into two groups. One group received PPI and the other group did not receive PPI. In the PPI group, patients received pantoprazole 40 mg intravenously twice a day for fasting time, and then 40 mg orally twice a day until discharge. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics and laboratory markers between two groups. In the pantoprazole group, mean hospital stay was 7.4 days, time to start oral intake was 69.0 hours, and time to pain relief was 59.7 hours. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score was 3.15 at admission day and 2.35 at discharge. On the other hand, in the non-pantoprazole group, mean hospital stay was 7.6 days, time taken to start oral intake was 71.4 hours, and time taken to pain relief was 61.8 hours. APACHE II score was 4.4 at admission and 2.85 at discharge. However, there were no significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with pantoprazole did not have influence on the clinical course of acute pancreatitis. But, considering it was a pilot study, large scale prospective trials will be needed.

PTPBD for Managing Extrahepatic Bile Duct Stones in Patients with Failed or Contraindicated ERCP / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) occasionally fails due to surgically altered anatomy, difficult cannulation, or poor general condition. This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilatation (PTPBD) for managing extrahepatic bile duct stones. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2010, 17 out of 509 patients with extrahepatic bile duct stones and acute cholangitis were enrolled retrospectively. After PTPBD of the sphincter, the stones were extracted using an occlusion balloon to push the stone over a guidewire into the duodenum. The procedure success was evaluated based on residual stones. In addition, the size and number of stones and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients, nine had a previous gastrectomy, four had poor general condition, and four had unsuccessful cannulation. The stone diameter ranged from 8 to 25 mm. Seven, five, and five patients had one, two, or three or more stones, respectively. The results were successful in 16 out of 17 patients, with no residual stones. Treatment failed in one patient, who was then treated with the rendezvous technique with endoscopy. No procedure-related major complication occurred. Three patients had mild transient elevations of the serum amylase levels. CONCLUSIONS: PTPBD was safe and effective for managing extrahepatic bile duct stones in patients with unsuccessful or contraindicated ERCP.

A Case of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation after Electric Injury / 대한내과학회지

Electrical injuries can cause cardiac abnormalities, ranging from dysrhythmias to myocardial infarction. Atrial fibrillation after electrical injury is extremely rare. The mechanisms underlying electrical current-induced arrhythmias are unclear. However, due to differences in electrical resistance, current travels preferentially along blood vessels and nerves, making the heart the most susceptible organ to electrical injury. Cardiac arrhythmias may occur at the time of electrical injury or later, but most occur within the first day of injury. Almost all patients described in previous reports with atrial fibrillation developed the condition after high voltage injuries (> 1,000 V). In our case, however, atrial fibrillation developed after a low voltage injury (220 V). Atrial fibrillation was detected and the rate was controlled with intravenous digoxin infusion. A normal sinus rhythm was restored 21 h after the electrical injury.

A Case of Idiopathic Retroperitoneal Fibrosis with Acute Renal Failure and a Pleural Effusion / 대한내과학회지

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF) is characterized by a fibrotic process and chronic inflammation of the retroperitoneal area and aorta. The development of retroperitoneal inflammation and fibrosis often results in periureteral encasement, ureteral obstruction, acute renal failure, and subsequent chronic renal failure and, rarely, mediastinal, pericardial, or pleural involvement. Our patient presented with left flank pain and abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a retroperitoneal mass encompassing the aorta and both ureters. IRF was diagnosed after a biopsy of the retroperitoneal mass. A complicating left pleural effusion and acute renal failure developed and the patient underwent a percutaneous nephrostomy and was treated with prednisolone. After this, the patient's symptoms, renal failure, and pleural effusion improved and the retroperitoneal mass decreased in size. We report a case of IRF with a pleural effusion and acute renal failure that improved with steroid treatment, with a literature review.

Branch-shaped Cutaneous Hypopigmentation and Atrophy after Intralesional Triamcinolone Injection

Cutaneous changes after local corticosteroid administration may include dermal atrophy, hyperpigmentation, alopecia, and hypopigmentation. Linear hypopigmentation and atrophy after intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide has been reported in the literature as a very rare side effect. A 30-year-old woman visited our dermatology department for a linear hypopigmented patch with atrophy from her left foot to the lower margin of the knee. The lesion developed after injection of an intralesional corticosteroid. The patient was diagnosed with linear hypopigmentation and atrophy secondary to the triamcinolone injection.

HIV-associated Eosinophilic Folliculitis Appearing in a Patient with End-stage AIDS / 대한피부과학회지

HIV-associated eosinophilic folliculitis is characterized by recurrent crops of severely-pruritic follicular papules, pustules and plaques that occur mainly on the face, trunk and upper extremities of AIDS patients. This disease is distinguished from Ofuji's disease by severe pruritus, leukopenia, sparing of the palm and sole and a good response to phototherapy. Up to now, only three such cases have been reported in the Korean literature. A 55-year-old man, who was confirmed as being HIV positive 6 months previously, presented with severely-pruritic, erythematous pinhead to half pea sized papules and nodules on the face, neck and anterior chest. The skin biopsy from a nodular lesion on the face revealed perifolliculitis with a predominant eosinophilic infiltrate.

Cutis Verticis Gyrata and Alopecia Areata: A Synchronous Coincidence?

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a descriptive term for a scalp condition that is convoluted folds and deep furrows that resemble the surface of the cerebral cortex. It is categorized by the underlying etiology, as primary essential, primary non-essential and secondary. Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, organ specific autoimmune disease, and most AA cases are sporadic. There is clearly a strong genetic component. There is no established relationship between CVG and AA. We report one case which was affected with essential primary CVG and alopecia areata, and suggest a possibility of genetic association between CVG and AA, possibly both being related to mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2).

Renal cell carcinoma developed in a patient treated with huge simple renal cyst sclerotherapy / 대한내과학회지

Simple renal cysts are a common cystic disease of the kidneys, which is not symptomatic in most cases and is diagnosed by radiological examination. However, if the cyst is huge or symptomatic, it must be treated. Renal cyst aspiration and alcohol sclerotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic simple renal cysts. Simple renal cysts have benign clinical features in the main and transformation of a simple renal cyst into renal cell carcinoma has rarely been reported. However, one case of renal cell carcinoma during renal cyst follow-up has been reported. We report a case of renal cell carcinoma that developed in a patient who was being treated with huge simple renal cyst sclerotherapy.

Partial Duodenal Obstruction Caused by an Impacted Gastritis Cystica Polyposa / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Gastritis cystica polyposa is an uncommon lesion that usually occurs at the gastroenterostomy site, but it may also develop in the non-operated stomach. This malady is characterized by polypoid mucosal changes with hyperplasia and cystic dilatation of glands that infiltrate into the submucosal layer. We report here on a case of gastritis cystica polyposa that presented as a mass impacted in the duodenum in a 63-year-old male, and this patient had been admitted for evaluation of progressive epigastric fullness and dyspepsia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed that the partial duodenal obstruction was caused by impaction of a huge polypoid mass with a stalk that originated from the lower body of the stomach. We fished out the impacted mass with a forceps catheter while holding the neck with a snare catheter. Thereafter, an endoloop was applied to the stalk of mass, and this was followed by polypectomy using a snare catheter.

A Case of Adult-onset Urticaria Pigmentosa with Bone Involvement / 대한피부과학회지

Urticaria pigmentosa (UP) is the most common variant of cutaneous mastocytosis. Primarily a disease of childhood, in over one-half of the cases onset is before 2 years of age, and in 90%, the disease is confined to the skin. UP precedes the diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis and is more common in adults than in children. Therefore, systemic examination should be performed in patients with UP. We report a case of adult-onset UP with systemic involvement.

A Clinical Study of Androgenic Alopecia (VII) / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is characterized by the local and gradual transformation of terminal scalp hair into vellus hair, which has a shorter and thinner shaft. It is the most common form of hair loss in people with a genetic predisposition for baldness. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, AGA type, family history, co-morbidity diseases, stress factors and endocrine factors of AGA patients. METHODS: We examined a total of 432 male and female AGA patients who visited for two years at the Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Chung-Ang University. RESULTS: There were 2.06 times more men (291 patients) than women (141 patients) among the study subjects. Most of the men were in their twenties (108, 37.1%), however, most of the women were in their forties (42, 29.7%). In the 291 male patients, Norwood class IIIv was dominant (120 patients, 41.2%). In the 141 female patients, Ludwig class I was dominant (87 patients, 61.7%). 219 (75.2%) of the 291 male patients and 81 (73.6%) of the 141 female patients had a family history of AGA. 224 (76.9%) of the 291 male patients and 101 (53.4%) of the 141 female patients had a co-morbidity disorder. The most common among these disorders in both the male and female patients was seborrheic dermatitis. Stress factors were observed in 162 (55.6%) of the 291 male patients and in 78 (55.3%) of the 141 female patients. The most common stress factor in both the male and female patients was work tasks. The serum testosterone levels was increased in 51 (17.5%) of the 291 male patients and in 20 (14.1%) of the 141 female patients. CONCLUSION: Most of the study results are compatible with those of our previous study. Yet the following results were different: (1) the number of female AGA patients in their forties is increasing; and (2) stress was found to be associated with AGA in both the male and female patients.