A Study on the Frequency of the Autoimmune Disorders in Vitiligo Patients

BACKGROUND: The increase of the incidence of autoimmune diseases and the autoimmune pathogenesis of vitiligo were reported. OBJECTIVE: We studied the frequency of autoimmune disorders and positivity of antinuclear antibody in Korean vitiligo patients. METHODS: Vitiligo patients (439 patients) and control subjects (197 patients) were interviewed about their history of autoimmune diseases. Laboratory studies including complete blood cell count, urine analysis, blood chemistry, fasting blood sugar, thyroid function test (T3, free T4, TSH), and antinuclear antibody were performed for the screening of autoimmune disorders. RESULTS: The diseases associated with vitiligo were microcytic hypochromic anemia (3.64%), non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (2.96%), thyroid disease (3.96%), atrophic gastritis, and alopecia areata. In the control subjects, the associated diseases were microcytic hypochromic anemia (1.62%), non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (4.65%), and thyroid disease (3.49%). These results show that the frequency of autoimmune disorders in vitiligo patients is not significantly higher than that in control subjects. Six (54.5%) out of 11 vitiligo patients with thyroid disease were diagnosed as having thyroid disease for the first time. Four (0.91%) out of 438 vitiligo patients showed positive to antinuclear antibody. Positivity of antinuclear antibody was not higher in vitiligo patients than that in control subjects (1.16%). CONCLUSION: Frequency of autoimmune diseases and positive reaction to antinuclear antibody in vitiligo patients were not significantly higher than those in control subjects.

Four Cases of Majocchi's granuloma / 대한의진균학회지

Dermatophytes usually do not invade beyond the epidermis. However mechanical breakage of the skin resulting from scratching or trauma and immunocompromised state, such as diabetes mellitus, lymphoma, and long-term steroid use may allow penetration of the fungi into reticular dermis. Cutaneous granulomas produced by infection with superficial fungi are infrequently recognized. We report four cases of dermatophytic granuloma on the lower extremities. Histopathologic examinations of the skin lesions of four patients showed chronic granulomatous inflammation with fungal elements. Cultures of Sabouraud's media with excised tissue revealed Trichophyton(T.) rubrum in two patients and T. mentagrophytes in one patient. The patients were treated with oral administration of terbinafine or itraconazole for 2-4 weeks.

Clinical Features of 27 Cases of Ingrowing Toenails and Treatment with Flexible Plastic Tube Insertion / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Ingrowing toenail is one of common dermatological disorders causing significant daily disability. Clinical study of the disease seems not to be enough. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate clinical aspects of the disease and to evaluate the plastic tube insertion method for the treatment. METHOD: In 27 cases, clinical stages, sites and duration of lesions, duration and previous treatments were examined. The plastic tube insertion method was done in all of the cases and its results were evaluated. The method ws consisted of insertion of a longitudinally slitted soft flexible plastic tube between the lateral edge of the nail plate and the inflamed soft nail fold. RESULT: 1. Age distribution showed 96% (26 cases) were between 15 to 36 years with mean 25 years. 2. Average duration of illness was 18 months. 12 cases(45%) was previously treated with various operative methods. 3. 9 cases wre involved in both feet and 18 cases in unilateral foot. Among the unilateral 18 cases, 12 cases were in right foot and 6 cases in left foot. 4. In each involved toenail 8 cases showed both side lesions and 19 cases showed one side lesions. Among the 19 cases 6 cases had medial side lesions and 13 cases lateral side lesions. 5. By the plastic tube method, 96% (26 cases) had immediate relief of the pain. But 63%(17 cases) showed recurrence and needed other treatment within 6 months. CONCLUSION: Predilection age of the ingrowing toenail was between 15 to 36. The most common site is the lateral side of the right great toe. The rate of the cure by the plastic tube method was only 37%.

A Case of Apocrine Gland Carcinoma on Axilla / 대한피부과학회지

A 84-year-old man presented a nodular lesion on his left axillary area for 7 years. Excisional biopsy revealed characteristic findings of apocrine carcinoma showing from relatively differentiated immature apocrine glands to cord-like infiltrations of anaplastic cells without luminal formation. Apocrine carcinoma is rarely reported in the world. Only cases have been reported in Korean literature up until the present time.

A Case of Multiple Tubular Apocrine Adenoma / 대한피부과학회지

No Abstract Available.

Surgical Treatment of Pincer Nail Associated with Osteophyte / 대한피부과학회지

A 63-year-old woman had pronounced pincer nail of her big toenails. Her nail condition was markedly painful and associated with the underlying osteophyte. Under digital anaesthesia the nail plate was completely avulsed and the lateral portions of the matrix were destroyed by electrodessication. Then a longitudinal incision of the distal nail bed was made to separate it from the underlying structure and to expose the osteophyte. The exposed osteophyte was removed and the nail bed was sutured. Tie-under sutures were used to hold the bed in the appropriate transverse curvature. With this surgical correction, the treated nail showed a normal shape at 18 months of follow-up.

Relationship between Pruritus and Eosinophilia in Patients on Hemodialysis / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: Pruritus is one of the most common complaints of patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. But its etiology is not clear, and there is no universally effective treatment. Recently we have experienced eosinophilia in hemodialysis patients suffering from pruritus. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the this study was to evaluate the relationship between pruritus and eosinophilia in patients on hemodialysis. METHODS: We examined degree of pruritus and eosinophilia in 65 patients with end stage renal disease who were on hemodialysis from September 1996 to August 1997 in artificial kidney center of Chonbuk National University Hospital. The study was conducted by means of personal interview, physical examination, and review of medical records. The degree of pruritus was measured by scores from minimal 0 point to maximal 48 points and more than 5% or 500/mm3 eosinophils in peripheral blood was regarded as eosinophilia. RESULTS: 1)Incidence of each cutaneous symptoms were pruritus(61.5%), xerosis(35.4%), hyperpigmentation (30.8%), easy bruising(16.9%), nail change(12.3%), decreasing in sweating(10.8%), hypotrichosis(7.7%), and acne(4.6%). 2)Forty(61.5%) of 65 patients undergoing hemodialysis had pruritus, 32.3% in mild, 20% in moderate, and 9.2% in severe degree by pruritus score. 3)Nineteen(29.2%) of the 65 patients had eosinophilia:23.8%(5/21) of patients with mild pruritus, 30.7%(4/13) of patients with moderate pruritus, and 66.7%(4/6) of severe pruritus. It could be said that prevalence of eosinophilia was related to the severity of pruritus. 4)With repeated hemodialysis the severity of pruritus increased in 65%(26/40), decreased in 22.5% (9/40), did not change in 12.5%(5/40) of patients with pruritus. 5)Pruritus was not related to the serum calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus(PO4), CaxPO4 product, BUN, or creatinine. There was, however, significant correlations with the serum alkaline phohphatase. CONCLUSION: There was a positive correlation bet- ween the prevalence of eosinophilia and severity of pruritus in patients on hemodialysis.