Flushing in a Young Woman: Skin Manifestation of Carcinoid Syndrome / 대한피부과학회지

Carcinoid tumors are derived from enterochromaffin cells that are capable of producing a wide range of neuroendocrine mediators including serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine. Carcinoid syndrome occurs when mediators produced by the tumor and normally metabolized by the liver escape into the systemic circulation. The syndrome classically involves the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, cardiovascular system and the skin. Flushing is almost universal in the syndrome. A 23-year-old woman came to our hospital presenting with flushing on face and trunk. The patient had experienced flushing for 2 years and it was aggravated by emotional change, stress, exercise, and eating spicy food. The patient also had abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and hepatomegaly. Urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid was elevated (81.5 mg/day). Abdominal computed tomography scans showed multiple hepatic masses diagnosed as a carcinoid tumor by computed tomography-guided needle biopsy. Physicians should consider carcinoid syndrome when patients present with flushing and systemic symptoms.

A Clinical Study of Chickenpox in Adult Inpatients / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus of herpes viridae and very contagious childhood disease. It is uncommon in adults and can be associated with serious complications. And chickenpox may be dangerous in adult patients, because the complications are more frequent in adults than children. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of chickenpox occurred in adults in Korea. METHODS: Total 100 cases of chickenpox inpatients over the 18 years of age were retrospectively evaluated in regard to monthly, seasonal incidence, sexual difference, age distribution, hospitalization period, transmission route, prodromal symptoms, cutaneous manifestations, the associated conditions, laboratory abnormalities, complications during 18 year period from 1991 to 2009. RESULTS: The results were as follows. 1. Monthly incidence of chickenpox was highest in May (20%), lowest in September (2%). The peak incidence on seasonal analysis was in Spring and Summer and the lowest incidence was in Autumn. 2. The ratio of males to females was 1.3 : 1. Chickenpox was seen most frequently in the 20-39 year age group (82%). 3. The mean onset time was 3.6 days, and the mean hospitalization period was 6.1 days. 4. The frequencies of the prodroml symptoms in chickenpox, in descending order, were fever (79%), sore throat (26%), myalgia (26%), itching (24%), chilling (21%), headache (9%), cough (8%), fatigue (4%), and appetite loss (2%). Common cutaneous manifestations were papules (97%), vesicles (95%), pustules (35%), crusts (29%). And mucosal involvement was observed in 6% of the patients. 5. Associated conditions of chickenpox were observed for 31 patients (31%); renal diseases (8%), dermatologic diseases (5%), hepatic diseases (4%), hypertension (4%), diabetes mellitus (3%) and so on. 6. The most common abnormal laboratory findings was abnormality of liver function test (23%). 7. The most common complications of chickenpox was secondary infections (12%), and others were acute pharyngotonsillitis (4%), viral pneumonia (4%), hepatitis (2%), keratoconjunctivitis (2%). CONCLUSION: Our data showed that the complications and laboratory abnormalities of chickenpox in adults are more common than in childhood.

A Case of Secondary Syphilis with Umbilical Involvement / 대한피부과학회지

Cutaneous manifestations of secondary syphilis vary widely. Nodular lesions and condyloma lata on multiple sites are an uncommon presentation. A 34-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of multiple nodules and papules on the chest and multiple erythematous whitish nodules with maceration on the perineal area and anus, oral cavity, and umbilicus. On the basis of a serologic test for syphilis and skin biopsy, nodular syphilid and condyloma lata was confirmed. We report an unusual case of secondary syphilis that presented with multiple nodular syphilid on the chest and multiple condyloma lata arising in the perineum, anus, oral cavity, umbilicus.

A Case of Eczema Herpeticum with Hailey-Hailey Disease

Eczema herpeticum is the dissemination of herpes simplex virus in the setting of a preexisting skin disease. Hailey- Hailey disease [familial benign chronic pemphigus] is a blistering dermatosis that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and it usually presents itself around the third or fourth decades. Coexistence of eczema herpeticum and Hailey-Hailey disease is an infrequent occurrence. Four such cases have been reported in the English and German medical literature. We report here on an unusual case of eczema herpeticum that coexisted with Hailey-Hailey disease in a 47 years old man and we review the relevant literatures.

A Case of Nevus Sebaceus Associated with Sebaceous Adenoma, Basal Cell Epithelioma, and Eccrine Poroma / 대한피부과학회지

Nevus sebaceous (NS) is a congenital hamartomatous disorder of the skin and its adnexa, usually involving the scalp or the face. It characteristically evolves and changes morphology with time. Various benign and malignant neoplasms can develop in association with NS. Most common benign or malignant tumors developed within the NS are syringocystadenoma papilliferum and trichoblastoma or basal cell epithelioma. We now report a case of NS associated with sebaceous adenoma, basal cell epithelioma, and eccrine poroma in a 63 year old male.

A Case of Nevus Sebaceus Associated with Sebaceous Adenoma, Basal Cell Epithelioma, and Eccrine Poroma / 대한피부과학회지

Nevus sebaceous (NS) is a congenital hamartomatous disorder of the skin and its adnexa, usually involving the scalp or the face. It characteristically evolves and changes morphology with time. Various benign and malignant neoplasms can develop in association with NS. Most common benign or malignant tumors developed within the NS are syringocystadenoma papilliferum and trichoblastoma or basal cell epithelioma. We now report a case of NS associated with sebaceous adenoma, basal cell epithelioma, and eccrine poroma in a 63 year old male.