Topical Methyl Aminolevulinate Photodynamic Therapy in Porokeratosis of Mibelli: An Alternative Treatment for a Refractory Disease

No abstract available.

Pirfenidone-Induced Photosensitivity in a Patient with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

No abstract available.

A Case-Control Study of Skin Cancer and Exposure of Toxic Heavy Metals

No abstract available.

Feasibility of IMP-3 as an Invasiveness Marker for Acral Lentiginous Melanoma

No abstract available.

Palisaded Neutrophilic and Granulomatous Dermatitis Manifested as a LE-nonspecific Skin Lesion / 대한피부과학회지

Palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous dermatitis (PNGD) is a newly defined entity that includes various clinical entities. Histopathologically, this disease is characterized by a granulomatous inflammation with or without leukocytoclastic vasculitis. PNGD shows vasculitic lesions in the early stage, with palisaded granulomatous lesions and dermal fibrosis with minimal leukocytoclastic debris appearing in the late stage. It is frequently associated with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, and other autoimmune diseases. A 14-year old Korean girl presented with multiple erythematous nodules and plaques on both elbows and knees that were present for 2 years prior to the initial visit. Clinically, she had multiple arthritis with morning stiffness and decreased C3 levels, as well as positive results for antinuclear antibodies, the lupus anticoagulant test, and anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I (IgG). Skin biopsy findings from the skin lesion indicated that the foci of degenerated collagens were palisaded with histiocytes throughout the dermis and neutrophils with leukocytoclasia infiltrated with fibrin, with mucin at the center of the lesion. Based on the SLICC 2012 criteria, we diagnosed her condition as PNGD in systemic lupus erythematosus. She was treated with hydroxychloroquine and topical application of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment, which resulted in the remarkable flattening of the skin lesions after 6 months of follow-up. Herein, we report a case of PNGD that may have been an indicator of systemic lupus erythematosus.

The Contributory Roles of Th17 Lymphocyte and Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte at the Hair Bulge Region as Well as the Hair Bulb Area in the Chronic Alopecia Areata Patients

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease that targets hair follicles and interrupts hair regrowth. The microenvironment of the effector T cells and their related cytokines may affect immunopathogenesis around the hair bulb/bulge. OBJECTIVE: To determine the contributory roles of the effector T cell subsets and related cytokines to the pathogenesis of AA. METHODS: We investigated the correlation between histopathological grades and four clinical prognostic factors in 331 patients with AA, and analyzed the topography of T cell infiltrates and related cytokines around the hair bulb/bulge according to histopathological grades through immunohistochemical and double immunofluorescence studies on a subset of AA specimens. RESULTS: First, the groups with more severe histopathological grades were associated with earlier onset, longer duration, more hair loss, as well as poorer therapeutic outcomes. Second, the pattern of CD4 and CD8 expression around the hair bulb/bulge varied by histopathological grade, with staining density decreasing in the following order: type 1>type 2>type 3. In addition, interferon-γ and transforming growth factor-β1 expression appeared denser in the peribulbar area. Interestingly, the denser CCR6⁺ cells (Th17 cells) showed more infiltration than CCR5⁺ cells (Th1 cells) around the hair bulb/bulge as histopathological grade worsened. CONCLUSION: The insidious destruction of bulge stem cells and hair bulb matrix stem cells results in more severe hair loss in patients with chronic AA, which is mediated by Th17 lymphocyte and cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration. Furthermore, Th17 lymphocytes may play an even more important role than cytotoxic T cells in the development of AA.

A Case of Malignancy-associated Histiocytoid Sweet Syndrome in a Patient with AML / 대한피부과학회지

Sweet syndrome is a disorder characterized by painful, erythematous, cutaneous plaques and nodules of rapid onset accompanied by fever, leukocytosis, and neutrophilia. We encountered a case of a recurrent histiocytoid Sweet syndrome in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A 64-year-old Korean man was diagnosed with complete remission of AML and had symptomatic nodules and plaques on the dorsal sides of both hands. Approximately 3 years prior, he also had symptomatic plaques at the same site and had been diagnosed with MDS (Myelodysplastic syndrome). We performed a biopsy and diagnosed this case as a malignancy-associated histiocytoid Sweet syndrome. Most Sweet syndrome cases are acute; in contrast, this case was chronic with a relapse. In addition, histopathologic examination showed a dense histiocytic infiltration. These histiocytoid cells are usually misinterpreted as histiocytes; however, they are actually immature myeloid cells. Herein, we report a case of a recurrent malignancy-associated histiocytoid Sweet syndrome in a patient with a hematologic disorder.

Successful Treatment of Jesnner's Lymphocytic Infiltration of the Skin with Methotrexate / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Multiple Bullous Pyoderma Gangrenosum Lesions on the Face of a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis / 대한피부과학회지

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is rare chronic painful ulcerative skin disorder usually associated with various systemic diseases, the most common of which is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PG shows a particularly stronger correlation with ulcerative colitis than Crohn's disease. It generally occurs at sites of trauma (pathergy), butspontaneous lesions with no evident trauma are not uncommon. PG is classified into four major clinical types: ulcerative, pustular, bullous, and vegetating. The ulcerative type is mostly associated with IBD. On the other hand, the bullous type is known to be associated with lymphoproliferative disorders. We report a rare case of PG of the bullous types forming multiple lesions on the face of a 21-year-old Korean woman with ulcerative colitis.

A Case of Solitary Nevus Lipomatosus Superficialis with Congenital Onset / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Recalcitrant Tinea Pedis caused by Trichosporon asahii / 대한의진균학회지

No abstract available.

Clinical Features of Cutaneous Premalignant Lesions in Busan City and the Eastern Gyeongnam Province, Korea: A Retrospective Review of 1,292 Cases over 19 Years (1995~2013)

BACKGROUND: The global prevalence of premalignant lesions has been continuously increasing in recent years, but there has been little research regarding the distribution and incidence of cutaneous premalignant lesions in Korean populations. OBJECTIVE: We conducted this retrospective study to analyze recent trends in the incidence and clinical patterns of cutaneous premalignant lesions in the Korean population. METHODS: We reviewed 1,292 cases (3,651 lesions) of patients with cutaneous premalignant lesions, including actinic keratosis (AK) and Bowen's disease (BD), from the Department of Dermatology at Dong-A University Hospital (January 1995 to December 2013). RESULTS: The average cutaneous premalignant lesion annual incidence was 1.82%, and the incidence continuously increased from 0.70% to 4.25% over the study period. The most common cutaneous premalignant lesion was AK (75.85%), followed by BD (24.15%). The mean age of onset was 68.76 years (men, 70.89 years; women, 65.56 years), and the male:female ratio of patients was 1:1.52. Major skin cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, 8.90%), basal cell carcinoma (BCC, 6.42%), and malignant melanoma (MM, 0.70%), were detected in 15.79% of patients with cutaneous premalignant lesions. Three patients (0.23%) were previously diagnosed with both SCC and BCC. In addition, 59.13% of patients had a single lesion, while 40.87% had multiple lesions. Patient age, history of previous skin cancers, and occupation-related exposure to ultraviolet radiation were more common in patients with multiple lesions. CONCLUSION: Cutaneous premalignant lesion incidence has gradually increased in the Korean population.

A Case of Sparganosis Detected by Ultrasonography in a Patient with Colon Cancer / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Solitary Bullous Mastocytoma Occurring at a Site of Spinal Tap / 대한피부과학회지

Mastocytosis is characterized by an accumulation of mast cells in various organs, most frequently in the skin. A solitary mastocytoma is a clinical variant of cutaneous mastocytosis. It is defined as a localized collection of mast cells in the skin without evidence of extracutaneous organ involvement. Here we report on a 2-year-old female patient presenting with Solitary erythematous bulla on her lower back. The patient had a history of spinal tap on the lower back for evaluation of meningitis at 5 months of age, which resulted in trauma at the site. Histopathology showed mast cells infiltrating the papillary and reticular dermis and metachromatic purple cytoplasmic granules seen with Giemsa staining. As a result, the patient was diagnosed with a solitary bullous mastocytoma and administered antihistamine. The patient showed complete remission at 3 months. Herein, we report a rare case of solitary bullous mastocytoma occurring at a trauma site.

Combination Therapy of Topical CCB (Combination of Calcipotriol and Betamethasone Dipropionate) Gel and Narrowband Ultraviolet B (NBUVB) in the Treatment of Vitiligo: An Intraindividual Right-Versus-Left Comparison Study with Topical Betamethasone Dipropi / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of vitiligo, topical corticosteroids are known to be effective, but are associated with serious adverse effects. Many studies have shown that topical calcipotriol is a promising therapeutic modality in vitiligo. In some studies, combined calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate ointment has been shown to be a more effective and well tolerated treatment for vitiligo. The combination therapy seems to synergistically act as an immunosuppressive and a pigment restorative agent. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the clinical efficacy of CCB (Combination Calcipotriol and Betamethasone dipropionate) gel compared with that of betamethasone dipropionate alone in the repigmentation of vitiligo. METHODS: In an intraindividual right-left comparison study (n=20), a CCB gel was applied once daily to a lesion on one side, and betamethasone dipropionate cream was applied to a lesion on the other side. The degree of repigmentation was assessed according to the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) at baseline, 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks. RESULTS: The CCB gel treated group showed a remarkably improved therapeutic outcome compared to the betamethasone dipropionate monotherapy group: the percentages of VASI relative to the baseline at CCB gel treated sites were 82.73+/-8.17%, 70.45+/-14.05%, 62.73+/-17.52%, and 56.24+/-18.49% at 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks after treatment, respectively; while those of the other sites receiving betamethasone dipropionate were 89.55+/-7.24%, 84.55+/-10.60%, 77.73+/-14.38%, and 73.48+/-12.93%. Adverse effects such as atrophy and burning sensations were much less after CCB gel treatment than after betamethasone monotherapy. CONCLUSION: CCB gel is more effective and tolerable than betamethasone dipropionate monotherapy in repigmentation therapy for vitiligo.

Comparative Study of Photodynamic Therapy with Topical Methyl Aminolevulinate versus 5-Aminolevulinic Acid for Facial Actinic Keratosis with Long-Term Follow-Up

BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared the efficacy, cosmetic outcomes, and adverse events between 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) and methyl aminolevulinate-PDT (MAL-PDT) for actinic keratoses (AKs) in Asian ethnic populations with dark-skin. OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively compared the long-term efficacy, recurrence rates, cosmetic outcomes, and safety of ALA-PDT versus MAL-PDT for facial AKs in Koreans. METHODS: A total of 222 facial AKs in 58 patients were included in this study. A total of 153 lesions (29 patients) were treated with 5-ALA, and 69 lesions (29 patients) with MAL. ALA and MAL creams were applied for 6 hours and 3 hours, respectively; the lesions were then illuminated with a halogen lamp at 150 J/cm2 for ALA-PDT and a diode lamp at 37 J/cm2 for MAL-PDT. RESULTS: The complete response rates of ALA-PDT and MAL-PDT were 56.9% and 50.7%, respectively, with no significant difference at 12 months after treatment. No significant difference in recurrence rates was observed between the 2 PDT modalities at either 6 or 12 months after treatment. There was no significant difference in the cosmetic outcomes between the 2 treatment modalities at 12 months after PDT. However, ALA-PDT caused significantly more painful than MAL-PDT (p=0.005). The adverse events were mild to moderate, transient, and self-limiting for both modalities. CONCLUSION: MAL-PDT was similar to ALA-PDT in terms of long-term efficacy, recurrence rates, cosmetic outcomes, and adverse events; however, it was a significantly less painful procedure than ALA-PDT in our study.

Long-Term Survival Analysis and Clinical Follow-Up in Acral Lentiginous Malignant Melanoma Undergoing Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Korean Patients

BACKGROUND: In cutaneous malignant melanoma (MM) with clinically uninvolved regional lymph nodes, sentinel lymph node (SLN) status is the most powerful indicator of both overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). However, no studies on the long-term survival and clinical follow-up of Korean patients with acral lentiginous MM (ALM) undergoing SLN biopsy (SLNB) have been published. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical prognosis and long-term survival of Korean patients with ALM according to SLN status. METHODS: Thirty-four ALM patients undergoing SLNB were included in this study. We evaluated clinical and histopathological follow-up data such as the stage of disease, treatment, recurrence, and metastasis, and analyzed OS and DFS according to SLN status. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 60.5 months (range 3~127 months). Positive SLNs were noted in 14 patients (41.2%). Patients with negative SLNs had better OS and DFS than those with positive SLNs (p<0.05). Increased Breslow thickness was associated with short OS and DFS (p<0.05), and female patients showed better DFS than male patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study on the long-term survival and clinical follow-up of patients undergoing SLNB for ALM in Korea. Our findings show that SLN status is an important prognostic factor for predicting OS and DFS.

Prognostic and Clinicopathologic Associations of BRAF Mutation in Primary Acral Lentiginous Melanoma in Korean Patients: A Preliminary Study

BACKGROUND: In the majority of melanomas, the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway is constitutively activated, due to oncogenic mutations in the BRAF and NRAS genes. The BRAF mutation has been mainly described in Caucasian melanomas. However, there is a lack of study evaluating the status, and the clinical significance, of BRAF mutation in the Asian population. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to determine the frequency of BRAF mutation, and to evaluate the correlation of BRAF status with clinicopathologic features and outcomes, in Korean primary acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) patients. METHODS: ALM samples (n=36) were analyzed for the BRAF V600E mutation, by dual-priming oligonucleotide (DPO) based real-time polymerase chain reaction. The clinicopathologic features and prognosis of the patients were analyzed with BRAF mutation status. RESULTS: The incidence of BRAF V600E mutation was 19.4% (7/36). The BRAF V600E mutations were not associated with clinicopathologic features, except for the age factor. All of the BRAF-mutant patients survived without recurrence or metastasis, and have a better clinical outcome than BRAF wild-type patients. CONCLUSION: In Korean primary ALM, a low frequency of BRAF mutation was shown; and BRAF mutation presented with a favorable prognosis. These results indicate that other distinctive genetic mechanisms may have more important roles in the development and progression of disease. Further multicenter study with large sample size is firmly needed, to confirm the results of our preliminary study.

Tazarotene-Induced Gene 3 May Affect Inflammatory Angiogenesis in Psoriasis by Downregulating Placental Growth Factor Expression

No abstract available.

Health Effects of Chronic Arsenic Exposure / 예방의학회지

Arsenic is a unique element with distinct physical characteristics and toxicity whose importance in public health is well recognized. The toxicity of arsenic varies across its different forms. While the carcinogenicity of arsenic has been confirmed, the mechanisms behind the diseases occurring after acute or chronic exposure to arsenic are not well understood. Inorganic arsenic has been confirmed as a human carcinogen that can induce skin, lung, and bladder cancer. There are also reports of its significant association to liver, prostate, and bladder cancer. Recent studies have also suggested a relationship with diabetes, neurological effects, cardiac disorders, and reproductive organs, but further studies are required to confirm these associations. The majority of research to date has examined cancer incidence after a high exposure to high concentrations of arsenic. However, numerous studies have reported various health effects caused by chronic exposure to low concentrations of arsenic. An assessment of the health effects to arsenic exposure has never been performed in the South Korean population; thus, objective estimates of exposure levels are needed. Data should be collected on the biological exposure level for the total arsenic concentration, and individual arsenic concentration by species. In South Korea, we believe that biological exposure assessment should be the first step, followed by regular health effect assessments.