ABSTRACT
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin malignant neoplasm. Cutaneous SCC shows a broad spectrum, ranging from easily managed superficial tumors to highly infiltrative, metastasizing ones that can cause death. We have experienced two patients with SCC with intracranial extension. One case was an 88-year-old man with a tumor on the forehead treated with Mohs micrographic surgery who presented with local recurrence at the perilesional region of the primary site after 3 years. Wide excision was performed, and histologic findings showed a SCC that extended to the dura mater. The other case was a 69-year-old woman who presented with an erythematous 2x4 cm-sized plaque on the right temple, and a biopsy examination revealed SCC. The patient refused surgery and 7 months later, presented with a 5x10 cm-sized oozing plaque with multiple ulcers. Radiologic evaluation demonstrated intracranial invasion and right retropharyngeal metastatic lymph nodes. She was treated with radiotherapy for 4 months.
Subject(s)
Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Biopsy , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Dura Mater , Forehead , Lymph Nodes , Mohs Surgery , Neoplasm Metastasis , Radiotherapy , Recurrence , Skin , UlcerABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Melanosomes , Pilot Projects , Skin , ZebrafishABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Antiphospholipid Syndrome , Aspirin , Vasculitis , WarfarinABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Antiphospholipid Syndrome , Aspirin , Vasculitis , WarfarinABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Keloids and hypertrophic scars represent excessive scarring. They require different therapeutic approaches, which can be hampered because of an apparent lack of morphologic difference between the two diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the clinical and dermoscopic features of keloids and hypertrophic scars in order to help dermatologists distinguish these lesions better. METHODS: A total of 41 keloids and hypertrophic scars in 41 patients were examined clinically and by performing dermoscopy with a digital imaging system. Lesions were evaluated for vascular structures. RESULTS: Dermoscopy revealed vascular structures in most keloid lesions (90%) but in only 27% of hypertrophic scar lesions. The most common dermoscopic vascular structures in keloids were arborizing (52%), followed by linear irregular (33%) and commashaped (15%); these features were present but less evident in hypertrophic scars (9% for all types). The distribution frequency of the vascular structures differed significantly between diseases (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: A strong association of vascular structures with keloids was observed on dermoscopic examination. The results suggest dermoscopic examination of vascular structures is a clinically useful diagnostic tool for differentiating between keloids and hypertrophic scars.
Subject(s)
Humans , Blood Vessels , Cicatrix , Cicatrix, Hypertrophic , Dermoscopy , KeloidABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although intralesional methotrexate (MTX) is an effective, nonsurgical treatment of keratoacanthoma (KA), there have not been many reports of on the MTX treatment for KA in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the intralesional MTX for the treatment of KA in Korean patients. METHODS: We retrospectively studied seven patients with KA who received intralesional injection of MTX in our department. The efficacy was evaluated based on the physician assessment. Our review also included the cases of KA treated with intralesional MTX in Korean patients from the previous reports. We then analyzed the therapeutic regimens in the Korean patients by comparing them with the Caucasian patients. RESULTS: We identified 11 cases of Korean KA patients treated with an intralesional MTX, including seven from our institution and four from the Korean literature. Ten of the 11 patients (91%) showed a complete resolution with an intralesional MTX. No adverse events were observed during the treatment and the follow-up periods. No recurrence was found during the follow-up. In therapeutic analysis, the Korean patients required 2 to 7 injections (mean 4.6 injections) to achieve a tumor resolution with the mean time to clearing at 7.6 weeks. CONCLUSION: Intralesional MTX can be an effective and safe non-operative treatment modality for most Koreans with KA.
Subject(s)
Humans , Asian People , Follow-Up Studies , Injections, Intralesional , Keratoacanthoma , Korea , Methotrexate , Recurrence , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
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
Subungual melanoma is a variant of acral lentiginous melanoma and is thought to carry a poor prognosis due to difficulties in early diagnosis. Classical management of subungual melanoma is based on the radical surgery of distal phalanx amputation. Instead, conservative treatment with non-amputative wide excision of the nail unit followed by reconstruction has been insufficiently reported, especially in Korea. A 71-year-old woman presented with dark brownish longitudinal bands on her right thumbnail. Punch biopsies from the nail matrix and nail bed showed proliferation of atypical melanocytes without dermal involvement. We describe a case of subungual melanoma in situ of the right thumb, and a non-amputative surgical management which aims to provide adequate clearance of the lesion with minimal morbidity and satisfactory preservation of function for the patient.