Interferon-beta Induced Skin Necrosis

Local cutaneous reactions have been reported at injection sites of interferon therapy, but these are usually erythema or rarely induration. Skin necrosis at the injection site is rare. We describe here a patient with multiple sclerosis who presented with cutaneous necrosis at the injection sites of interferon-β. Biopsy of the necrotic lesion showed dermal vessel thrombosis and complete ischemic coagulative necrosis of epidermis and dermis.

Awareness of Harmful Effects of Sun Exposure and Sunscreen Use in Korean / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers by sun-protection and sunscreen is the most commonly used method of sun protection. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the awareness of harmful effects of sun exposure and behavior of sunscreen use in Korean. METHODS: One thousand, two hundred and seventy-four subjects who visited Dermatology Department at Asan Medical Center between April and July 2000 were interviewed. The questionnaire provided information about demographic characteristics, daily sun-exposure time, and sunburn history in the year before. It also included the questions about the causes of wrinkle, sunspot, chloasma, and skin cancer, as the awareness of the harmful effects of sun exposure. The use of sunscreen or other sun-protective methods, and the knowledge about sun protection factor (SPF) were also reported. RESULTS: The harmful effects of the sun in causing wrinkle, sunspot, chloasma, and skin cancer were conceived by 11.1%, 24.4%, 41.4%, and 44.3% of the respondents respectively. Thirty nine percent of the respondents used sunscreens, and the other 61% hardly knew necessity of sunscreens. Those who understood the meaning of sun protection factor(SPF) were 23.7%. Sun-protective methods except using sunscreens were use of a hat or a cap(53.2%), long-sleeved clothing(27.2%), a parasol(27.0%), heavy make-up(11.2%), and a towel(3.8%). Male respondents, people who were younger than 20 or older than 70, and those who had not sunburned the year before were less likely to use sunscreens. CONCLUSION: The results indicate an urgent need for education about the harmfulness of sun exposure as well as benefits of sunscreens.

A Case of Cytomgalovirus Infection Presenting as Nodule and Ulcer in an Immunocompromised Patient / 대한피부과학회지

We report the case of a 48-year-old man presenting with a pubic nodule and multiple ulcers on penis and scrotum. He had a kidney transplantation two months ago and has been taking cyclosporine, prednisolone, and mycophenolate mofetil. The biopsy specimen from the nodule showed vasculitis and multiple cytomegalic cells in dermis. The biopsy specimen from the scrotal ulcer showed a cluster of multinucleated giant cells and acantholysis in epidermis and cytomegalic cells and vasculitis in dermis, suggestive of HSV infection in epidermis and CMV infection in dermis. Specific immunoperoxidase for CMV antigens positively stained cytomegalic endothelial cells and fibroblasts in both specimens. Evidence of CMV viremia as pp65 was detected in circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes by immunocytochemical tests although there was no evidence of other organ involvement. Immediately, he was placed on intravenous ganciclovir therapy for 3 weeks. The lesions cleared leaving scars and he was discharged in good general condition.

A Case of Well-differentiated Sebaceous Carcinoma / 대한피부과학회지

There is not always a sharp distinction among the sebaceous neoplasms including sebaceous adenoma, sebaceoma, and sebaceous carcinoma. Sebaceous carcinoma is a malignant tumor derived from the adnxal epithelium of sebaceous glands. It may exhibit a variety of histological growth patterns and diverse clinical presentations. Herein we report a 65-year-old man presenting with a 0.5cm skin-colored papule on the left cheek, which shows the histopathological features of well-differentiated sebaceous carcinoma.

A Case of Micropapular Sarcoidosis / 대한피부과학회지

Cutaneous sarcoidosis occurs in 20-25% of systemic sarcoidosis and can be presented without other organ involvement. Most frequent clinical features are maculopapule, nodule, plaque, subcutaneous nodule, infiltrative scar and lupus pernio, but uncommon forms including ulcer, alopecia, hypopigmented and micropapular type have been described. Micropapular type is a rare form of cutaneous sarcoidosis with good prognosis. We present a case of generalized micropapular sarcoidosis without other organ involvement.

Four Cases of Multiple Dermatofibromas / 대한피부과학회지

Multiple dermatofibromas are rare and their etiology is unknown. An association with immunosuppression or altered immunity including autoimmune disorders has been reported. The mechanism for the development of multiple eruptive dermatofibromas in the setting of immune disturbance remains unclear. We herein report four cases of multiple dermatofibromas, one of them is associated with immunosuppression.

A Case of Jellyfish Dermatitis / 대한피부과학회지

A 28-year-old woman presented with multiple whiplash-like eruptions of 4-days' duration around both ankles, feet, knees, and hands after contact with a jellyfish. Histological examination showed epidermal necrosis with intraepidermal vesicles containing neutrophils and red blood cells, dermal necrotic vasculitis, diffuse dermal infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and beanbag cells, and degeneration of collagen fibers.