Effect of Mask Mandates on the Intraocular Pressure Measured via Goldmann Applanation Tonometry

Purpose@#The corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in mandatory masking of patients and physicians during outpatient visits. This study evaluated the changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) according to mask use. @*Methods@#This prospective study enrolled 30 healthy volunteers (60 eyes). IOP was measured via Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) for the subjects wearing one of four commonly used masks: dental, bi-folding Korean Filter (KF)94, tri-folding KF94, and dust masks. Subjects with IOP measurement errors of more than 5 mmHg were rechecked with another GAT type. @*Results@#The mean IOP measured via GAT before mask wearing was 13.7 ± 1.7 mmHg. It was 13.5 ± 2.1, 14.0 ± 2.3, 14.3 ± 2.5, and 13.8 ± 1.6 mmHg with the dental, bi-folding KF94, tri-folding KF94, and dust masks, respectively. There were no significant differences in IOP according to mask type (p = 0.635). IOP errors above 5 mmHg were detected in three subjects who had contact between the GAT feeler arm and tri-folding KF94 mask during IOP measurement. @*Conclusions@#The IOP as measured via GAT is artificially elevated by mechanical interference from the tri-fold KF94 mask. To minimize such mask-induced artifacts in GAT measurements, compress the patient’s mask or change the mask type to prevent any contact during measurement.

Two-year Changes in Postoperative Central Macular Thickness and Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Epiretinal Membrane Patients

Purpose@#To evaluate changes in central macular thickness (CMT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) after phacovitrectomy over a 2-year period in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) patients. @*Methods@#The records of 52 idiopathic ERM patients (52 eyes) who underwent phacovitrectomy, without recurrence of the condition over a 2-year follow-up period, were reviewed retrospectively. Changes in CMT and SFCT, as measured by optical coherence tomography, were analyzed and compared with those of a normal control group over a 2-year period. @*Results@#The mean preoperative CMT and SFCT were 425.67 ± 84.67 and 257.56 ± 90.13 μm, respectively. Postoperative CMT was reduced significantly to 372.17 ± 45.26 μm at 1 year and 363.15 ± 47.35 μm at 2 years (p < 0.001). SFCT at 1 and 2 years postoperatively was significantly reduced to 238.85 ± 84.85 and 230.31 ± 87.95 μm, respectively (p < 0.001). In the control group, there was no significant change in CMT; however, the SFCT decreased by 11.09 ± 22.36 μm during the 2-year follow-up (p = 0.007). In contrast, in the patient group, CMT and SFCT decreased by 62.52 ± 71.45 and 27.25 ± 41.97 μm, respectively, showing a significant difference from the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.043, respectively). Both before surgery and at 1 year postoperatively, the thinner the CMT, the better the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (p = 0.010 and p = 0.018, respectively). A better postoperative BCVA at 2 years was associated with a thinner CMT and better BCVA before surgery (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). @*Conclusions@#Following a phacovitrectomy procedure, ERM patients showed significant reductions in both the CMT and SFCT at the 2-year follow-up.

Adherence Improvement in Glaucoma Patients: Effects of Educational Intervention Using an Eye Drop Chart

Purpose@#To evaluate the effects of an educational intervention using an eye drop chart and supplementary education on glaucoma patients’ adherence. @*Methods@#In this multicenter prospective study, medically treated glaucoma patients were educated on the administration of eye drops using an eye drop chart. At the time of recruitment, all of the patients completed a questionnaire on demographic characteristics and adherence. Three months after the initial educational intervention, the patients were randomly divided into two groups: an education group and a control group. The education group received supplementary education. Immediately thereafter and at 6 months, all of the patients completed the questionnaire on adherence again. Changes in instillation behavior, the relationship between the adherence score and demographic characteristics, and factors contributing to an improvement in adherence and intraocular pressure were then analyzed. @*Results@#The adherence scores were significantly higher in patients with fewer medications, a higher annual income and higher educational level, and an urban residence (p = 0.038, p = 0.033, p = 0.041 and p = 0.047, respectively). Education on the administration of eye drops and use of the eye drop chart improved adherence scores from 23.05 ± 3.52 to 21.30 ± 3.95 (p = 0.021) and significantly reduced the average intraocular pressure from 14.3 ± 2.9 to 12.4 ± 3.1 mmHg (p < 0.001). Working indoors (odds ratio [OR] = 5.47, p = 0.032) and supplementary education at 3 months (OR = 4.53, p = 0.030) were also correlated with improved adherence. @*Conclusions@#An eye drop chart is an effective tool for improving adherence and intraocular pressure control in glaucoma patients. Improvement in adherence was especially notable in patients whose work predominantly involved indoor activity. The effectiveness of the eye drop chart was improved by supplementary education.

The Association between the Stress Relief Method and High-Risk Alcohol Drinking: The 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND: The importance of stress relief methods is becoming an important issue in developed societies. However, no studies have examined the effects of stress relief methods on the risk of engaging in high-risk alcohol consumption. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between stress relief methods and high-risk alcohol consumption.METHODS: This study included a total of 5,313 subjects who participated in the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey. To evaluate high-risk alcohol consumption, we used the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT-K). Regarding the stress relief method, participants were divided into three groups as follows: 1) those who were non-smokers and relieved stress using methods other than smoking (Group A), 2) those who were smokers but relieved stress using methods other than smoking (Group B), and 3) those who relieved stress by smoking (Group C). Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between the stress relief method and high-risk alcohol consumption.RESULTS: The mean scores of AUDIT-K were 5.7 for Group A, 10.0 for Group B, and 11.4 for Group C (P-value < 0.001). Compared to Group A, the odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals for high-risk alcohol consumption were 3.91 (1.96–7.80) for Group B and 6.26 (2.99–13.10) for Group C after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, household income, education levels, residential area, marital status, stress levels, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.CONCLUSION: We found that the participants who relieved stress by smoking had a significantly higher risk of engaging in high-risk alcohol consumption.

Preoperative Factors Affecting the Visual Outcome after Vitrectomy in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE: To investigate the preoperative factors affecting the visual outcome after a vitrectomy in a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: A retrospective study of 79 eyes was carried out. The 41 eyes were macula-off RRD (group I), the 38 eyes were macula-on RRD (group II). The preoperative factors examined in this study included the preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), age, the duration of macular detachment, the extent of the detached retina, the delay of operation. The correlation between these factors and the postoperative 6 months BCVA were investigated. RESULTS: In group I, preoperative BCVA (r = 0.313, p = 0.037) and preoperative retinal detachment (RD) extent (r = 0.483, p = 0.001) were significantly correlated with postoperative 6 months BCVA. In group II, preoperative BCVA and preoperative RD extent were not significantly correlated with postoperative 6 months BCVA. Regardless of including macula, the patient's age, duration of symptom and delay of operation after clinic visit were not affected to the visual outcome. Patients with symptom duration of 7 days or less achieved better final BCVA (0.36 ± 0.45 log MAR, n = 29) than patients with longer symptom duration (0.79 ± 0.55 log MAR, n = 16) (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: After vitrectomy for macula-off RRD, the factors related to favorable visual outcome were the better preoperative BCVA, the less extent of the detached retina. And surgical repair within 7 days of the symptom onset yielded better visual outcomes. Otherwise, in macula-on RRD, preoperative BCVA, age, the duration of retinal detachment, the extent of the detached retina, the delay of operation did not impact on visual outcome.

Clinical Outcomes of Indocyanine Green-Assisted Peeling of the Internal Limiting Membrane in Epiretinal Membrane Surgery

PURPOSE: In this study we compared the clinical outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery according to the use of indocyanine green (ICG) and ICG exposure time. METHODS: The medical records of 76 patients with an idiopathic ERM that underwent vitrectomy and ERM and internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal were reviewed. We compared the results (best corrected visual acuity [BCVA, log MAR] and central macular thickness [CMT, µm]) of idiopathic ERM surgeries using ILM peeling with (group I, 39 eyes) and without ICG (group II, 37 eyes). Additionally, the correlation of ICG exposure time and clinical outcomes in group I was analyzed. RESULTS: Gender, age, lens state, preoperative BCVA, and preoperative CMT were not significantly different between the two groups. The postoperative BCVA was significantly improved in both groups but the difference was not statistically significant. The postoperative CMT was significantly improved in both groups and the change amount of group I was more larger than group II. Additionally, ICG exposure time was not significantly correlated with changes of BCVA and CMT. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal ICG-assisted ILM peeling did not significantly affect the recovery of BCVA, however that impaired the recovery of CMT. ICG exposure time did not affect the postoperative visual outcome.

Scleral Perforation During Inferior Rectus Muscle Recession in Congenital Fibrosis of the Extraocular Muscles

PURPOSE: We report a case of a scleral perforation during inferior rectus recession in congenital fibrosis of extraocular muscles and the management of this perforation with a scleral patch graft. CASE SUMMARY: A 20-month-old female with bilateral ptosis, absence of elevation and a chin-up position was diagnosed with congenital fibrosis of extraocular muscles. Because severe esotropia in the downward gaze was observed, we first performed esotropia surgery. After 1 year, she underwent a bilateral ptosis correction. We decided to perform bilateral inferior rectus recession due to an abnormal head posture and the absence of elevation. Because the inferior rectus muscles were extremely tight and adhered to the sclera, hooking and isolating these muscles during surgery was difficult. After muscle suture placement, a portion of the sclera that contacted the left inferior rectus was chipped off as this muscle was disinserted with blunt Westcott scissors. A scleral perforation was observed, thus, we placed a scleral patch graft using the donor sclera and finished the bilateral inferior rectus recession. No abnormal findings for the vitreous or retina were detected. At 8 months after surgery, the patient exhibited exotropia of 12 prism diopters in her primary gaze. Her abnormal head posture nearly disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Careful isolation and disinsertion of the muscle from the globe is necessary in the treatment of patients who are expected to exhibit severe adhesions between the muscle and sclera, such as patients with congenital fibrosis of extraocular muscles.

Analysis of Choroidal Thickness Measured Using RTVue and Associated Factors in Open-Angle Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To compare the macular choroidal thickness, ganglion cell complex thickness, peripapillary choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness among normal, primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients using RTVue (Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography; Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 32 normal controls, 32 POAG and 52 NTG patients was performed. Choroidal thickness, ganglion cell complex thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were compared among normal controls, POAG and NTG subjects. Additionally, the factors influencing choroidal thickness (age, axial length, spherical equivalent, central corneal thickness, mean deviation, nocturnal dip, blood pressure variability) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 32 normal controls, 32 POAG and 52 NTG patients were enrolled in this study. Macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were significantly thinner in the NTG patients. In NTG subjects, the significant influencing factors associated with macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were age, axial length, nocturnal dip (diastolic blood pressure), diastolic blood pressure variability and ganglion cell complex thickness. In POAG patients, significant influencing factors associated with macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were age and axial length. CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal thickness was significantly thinner in NTG patients compared with normal controls and POAG patients. Factors influencing choroidal thickness in NTG patients were age, axial length, nocturnal dip (diastolic blood pressure), diastolic blood pressure variability and ganglion cell complex thickness. In POAG patients, significant factors influencing choroidal thickness were age and axial length.

Analysis of Choroidal Thickness Measured Using RTVue and Associated Factors in Open-Angle Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To compare the macular choroidal thickness, ganglion cell complex thickness, peripapillary choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness among normal, primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients using RTVue (Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography; Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 32 normal controls, 32 POAG and 52 NTG patients was performed. Choroidal thickness, ganglion cell complex thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were compared among normal controls, POAG and NTG subjects. Additionally, the factors influencing choroidal thickness (age, axial length, spherical equivalent, central corneal thickness, mean deviation, nocturnal dip, blood pressure variability) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 32 normal controls, 32 POAG and 52 NTG patients were enrolled in this study. Macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were significantly thinner in the NTG patients. In NTG subjects, the significant influencing factors associated with macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were age, axial length, nocturnal dip (diastolic blood pressure), diastolic blood pressure variability and ganglion cell complex thickness. In POAG patients, significant influencing factors associated with macular and peripapillary choroidal thicknesses were age and axial length. CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal thickness was significantly thinner in NTG patients compared with normal controls and POAG patients. Factors influencing choroidal thickness in NTG patients were age, axial length, nocturnal dip (diastolic blood pressure), diastolic blood pressure variability and ganglion cell complex thickness. In POAG patients, significant factors influencing choroidal thickness were age and axial length.

Effects of the Temporary Placement of a Self-Expandable Metallic Stent in Benign Pyloric Stenosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The use of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) is an established palliative treatment for malignant stenosis in the gastrointestinal tract; therefore, its application to benign stenosis is expected to be beneficial because of the more gradual and sustained dilatation in the stenotic portion. We aimed in this prospective observational study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of temporary SEMS placement in benign pyloric stenosis. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with benign stenosis of the prepylorus, pylorus, and duodenal bulb were enrolled and underwent SEMS placement. We assessed symptom improvement, defined as an increase of at least 1 degree in the gastric-outlet-obstruction scoring system after stent insertion. RESULTS: No major complications were observed during the procedures. After stent placement, early symptom improvement was achieved in 18 of 22 patients (81.8%). During the follow-up period (mean 10.2 months), the stents remained in place successfully for 6 to 8 weeks in seven patients (31.8%). Among the 15 patients (62.5%) with stent migration, seven (46.6%) showed continued symptomatic improvement without recurrence of obstructive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the symptomatic improvement, temporary SEMS placement is premature as an effective therapeutic tool for benign pyloric stenosis unless a novel stent is developed to prevent migration.

Visual and Surgical Outcomes of Lamellar Macular Hole

PURPOSE: To investigate the visual and anatomical results of surgical treatment for symptomatic lamellar macular hole. METHODS: Ten eyes of ten patients with decreased visual acuity and lamellar macular hole were diagnosed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Pars plana vitrectomy, epiretinal membrane removal, internal limiting membrane peeling, and gas tamponade (5 eyes) were performed for the treatment of lamellar hole. The resolution of the lamellar hole was assessed in relation to each OCT image at baseline. RESULTS: The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 7.5 months, and best corrected visual acuity improved from log MAR 0.67 +/- 0.38 to log MAR 0.30 +/- 0.28. Central foveal thickness decreased from 441 +/- 184 microm to 291 +/- 64 microm. The OCT of all eyes demonstrated improvement in macular contour. However, retinal detachment in one eye occurred at two months after the operation and was reattached with gas tamponade and photocoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy, epiretinal membrane removal and internal limiting membrane peeling showed benefit in the treatment of symptomatic lamellar macular hole. However, large and prospective studies are necessary regarding the surgical indication, time and procedure for lamella macular hole.

Is High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Aging Men? Results from the Hallym Aging Study

PURPOSE: The pathogenesis of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is uncertain. We investigated the potential role of inflammation in the development of LUTS, with the use of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) as an inflammatory marker, in a population-based study of aging men in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study used a multistage stratified design to recruit a random sample of 1,510 men aged 45 years or older in Chuncheon, Korea, in 2003. Men with urologic or neurologic diseases that could cause voiding dysfunction were excluded. Also, men with medical conditions that could affect inflammation, such as infection or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, were excluded. LUTS were defined according to the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Various potential confounding factors were included in the analyses. RESULTS: A total of 330 subjects were included in the final analyses. There were 155 (47.0%) with an IPSS or =8. The mean age of all subjects was 69.2+/-8.4 years. The mean hsCRP level of all subjects was 2.30+/-3.27 (median, 1.19) mg/l. The hsCRP levels in subjects with an IPSS> or =8 differed significantly from those in subjects with an IPSS or =8, storage symptom score> or =4, incomplete voiding, intermittency, and QoL) after adjustment for variable possible confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that inflammatory processes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of LUTS and that hsCRP levels may indicate the severity of LUTS in aging men.

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Female Urethra

We report here on a rare case of primary malignant melanoma of the female urethra. A 69-year-old female presented at our hospital with a several month history of dysuria, poor stream, gross hematuria, intermittent blood spots, and a painful mass at the external urethral meatus. The physical examination revealed a soft, small, chestnut-sized lesion through the urethral orifice. The mass was tan colored, ulcerated, covered with necrotic tissue, and protruded from the external urethral meatus. The mass was removed by wide local excision under spinal anesthesia. The pathological diagnosis was malignant melanoma of the urethra. Computed tomography of the abdomen as well as a whole-body bone scan showed no evidence of metastasis. The patient has been free of disease for 6 months postoperatively. We discuss the clinicopathologic features and treatment of this tumor.

The Different Effects of Testicular Torsion on the Contralateral Testis between Pubertal and Adult Rats

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to determine whether the severity of damage to the contralateral testis by ipsilateral testicular torsion/detorsion in pubertal rats, which have an incomplete blood-testis barrier, is different from that in adult rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We divided pubertal (6 weeks, n=17) and adult (10 weeks, n=17) Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats into group S (sham; n=5), group O (orchiectomy; n=6), and group D (detorsion; n=6). After 4 hours' torsion of the ipsilateral testis, we applied orchiectomy (group O) and detorsion (group D) depending on the group and compared the histopathologic changes and germ cell apoptosis of the contralateral testis at the age of 13 weeks. RESULTS: In each age group, increased interstitial area, edema, and germ cell sloughing were observed in group D. The mean seminiferous tubule diameter decreased more in group D than in group S or O in each age group (p<0.05). The mean germ cell layer thickness and number of spermatids per tubule decreased more in group D than in group S or O in each age group; additionally, in group D, values decreased more in pubertal rats than in adult ones (p<0.05, respectively). The mean numbers of terminal deoxyuridine nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells were less than 1.0 in groups S and O, which was smaller than in group D (p<0.05); additionally, in group D, this value tended to be higher in pubertal rats than in adult ones (p=0.057). CONCLUSIONS: SD rats with a detorsioned testis had more severe damage to the contralateral testis than did those undergoing orchiectomy of the torsioned testis. Also, when comparing the severity of damage to the contralateral testis after ipsilateral torsion/detorsion between pubertal and adult rats, rats at a pubertal age, when most testicular torsions occur in clinical situations, had more severe damage than did those at an adult age.

A Case of Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome with Whole Gastrointestinal Tract Involvement / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome is a rare condition that is characterized by the development of multiple polyps in the gastrointestinal tract. It is a hamartomatous disorder that was first described in families in 1964. Both sporadic and familial cases with autosomal dominant inheritance have been reported on. Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome is regarded as a distinct from the solitary juvenile polyps that develop in 2% of children and adolescents, and the latter have no malignant potential. We report here on a case of Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome in an 18 year old male along with a review of the relevant literature. The patient had various numbers of different sized pedunculated polyps that were observed throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract.

A Case of Piloleiomyoma Arising in a BCG Vaccination Site / 대한피부과학회지

BCG is a live attenuated vaccine derived from Mycobacterium bovis. It can give rise to several cutaneous complications including benign and malignant tumors. There are many reports about tumors arising in vaccination sites, especially those of small pox and BCG vaccinations. Reported tumors are basal cell carcinoma, dermatofibroma, melanoma, pilomatricoma and so on. Piloleiomyoma is a rare soft tissue tumor arising from arrector pili muscles. Clinically, piloleiomyomas appear as firm dermal papules and nodules with skin colored, pink, or reddish-brown surfaces. We experienced a case of piloleiomyma arising in a BCG vaccination site, which has not been reported in previous literature. Although several hypotheses have been propsed, there are no identified causes of leiomyoma. Trauma by the vaccination, persistent inflammation, wound healing process, or antigenic stimulation of the innoculation agent could be the possible causes in this case.

A Case of Telangiectatic Cutaneous Metastasis from Breast Cancer / 대한피부과학회지

About 25% of patients with breast cancer develop one of the several clinicopathological types of cutaneous metastasis. Telangiectatic cutaneous metastases are very rare and may present with telangiectasia, erythema, papulovesicles, purpuric patch or plaque. Histopathologically, they demonstrate ectatic, dilated dermal blood vessels that contain atypical tumor cells and thrombi. We report a rare case of telangiectatic metastatic breast carcinoma on the scalp and shin, which presented with cutaneous angiosarcoma-like violaceous plaques.

A Case of Systemic Sclerosis with Coincidental Lung Cancer / 대한피부과학회지

A 68-year-old male, who had presented with stiffness and thickening of the skin over a 2 year period, was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. The clinical manifestations, histopathological findings, and laboratory examinations were compatible with systemic sclerosis. Several studies have demonstrated an increased frequency of cancer, especially lung and breast cancer, in patients with systemic sclerosis but the association of systemic sclerosis with malignancy has been controversial. Herein we report a case of systemic sclerosis with coincidental lung cancer, with a review of literatures.

Detection of HPV Genotypes in Non-genital SeborrheicKeratosis by HPV DNA Chip Analysis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The precise etiology of seborrheic keratosis (SK) is unknown. Genetics, sun exposure and infection have all been implicated as possible factors. Because of its clinical and histopathological similarities to verrucae vulgaris and condyloma acuminatum, human papillomavirus (HPV) has been suggested as a possible causative agent. In the previous studies, HPV were frequently detected in the genital lesions or hair follicles of immunocompromised hosts. OBJECTIVE: A newly introduced HPV detection technique, the HPV DNA Chip analysis, contains 24 HPV probes and it has the advantage of being able to detect 24 types of HPV at once. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of HPV DNA in the nongenital SK of immunocompetant individuals. METHODS: We analyzed 31 biopsy specimens that were taken from patients with nongenital SK, and these specimens were compared with genital warts (the positive control) and distilled water in place of DNA (the negative control) with using HPV DNA Chip analysis and a polymerase chain reaction-based DNA microarray system as the HPV genotyping method. RESULTS: By polymerase chain reaction (PCR), HPV DNA was detected in 2 of the 31 nongenital SK biopsies (6.5%). HPV DNA Chip analysis revealed that 3 of 31 nongenital SKs (9.7%) contained HPV DNA. Two distinct HPV genotypes were detected: HPV type 16 (n=2) and HPV type 42 (n=1). The duration of SK in the HPV positive group was longer than that of the SK in the negative group. The mean age of the patients in the HPV positive group was also older than the mean age of the negative group. There were no different histopathologic findings between the HPV positive and negative SK. CONCLUSION: This study did not provide any concrete evidence that HPV infection might directly play a part in the pathogenesis of nongenital SK. However, two distinct HPV DNA types were identified as types that have never been reported before. Further studies with a larger number of cases of SK are needed to confirm the presence of HPV DNA in nongenital SK and also to determine the role of HPV in the origin of nongenital SK.

Detection of HPV Genotypes in Non-genital SeborrheicKeratosis by HPV DNA Chip Analysis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The precise etiology of seborrheic keratosis (SK) is unknown. Genetics, sun exposure and infection have all been implicated as possible factors. Because of its clinical and histopathological similarities to verrucae vulgaris and condyloma acuminatum, human papillomavirus (HPV) has been suggested as a possible causative agent. In the previous studies, HPV were frequently detected in the genital lesions or hair follicles of immunocompromised hosts. OBJECTIVE: A newly introduced HPV detection technique, the HPV DNA Chip analysis, contains 24 HPV probes and it has the advantage of being able to detect 24 types of HPV at once. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of HPV DNA in the nongenital SK of immunocompetant individuals. METHODS: We analyzed 31 biopsy specimens that were taken from patients with nongenital SK, and these specimens were compared with genital warts (the positive control) and distilled water in place of DNA (the negative control) with using HPV DNA Chip analysis and a polymerase chain reaction-based DNA microarray system as the HPV genotyping method. RESULTS: By polymerase chain reaction (PCR), HPV DNA was detected in 2 of the 31 nongenital SK biopsies (6.5%). HPV DNA Chip analysis revealed that 3 of 31 nongenital SKs (9.7%) contained HPV DNA. Two distinct HPV genotypes were detected: HPV type 16 (n=2) and HPV type 42 (n=1). The duration of SK in the HPV positive group was longer than that of the SK in the negative group. The mean age of the patients in the HPV positive group was also older than the mean age of the negative group. There were no different histopathologic findings between the HPV positive and negative SK. CONCLUSION: This study did not provide any concrete evidence that HPV infection might directly play a part in the pathogenesis of nongenital SK. However, two distinct HPV DNA types were identified as types that have never been reported before. Further studies with a larger number of cases of SK are needed to confirm the presence of HPV DNA in nongenital SK and also to determine the role of HPV in the origin of nongenital SK.