Variant facial artery anatomy revisited: Conventional angiography performed in 284 cases.

A number of studies have evaluated the variable courses of facial artery. However, the results of these differed substantially from each other so not consistent relationships have yet been established. There has also yet to be a relevant study using conventional angiography.We assessed the variant branching pattern of the facial artery and its branches using conventional angiography.Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed 284 cases of angiographies of the external carotid artery in 198 patients. The courses of the facial artery and infraorbital branch of the maxillary artery were classified into 4 types and 2 types, according to the end branch.Among 284 cases of facial artery, type 1 (angular branch) made up 104 cases (36.6%), type 2 (lateral nasal branch) made up 138 cases (48.6%), type 3 (superior labial branch) made up 24 cases (8.5%), and type 4 (inferior labial branch) made up 18 cases (6.3%).Regarding the 284 total cases of maxillary artery, 163 cases (57.4%) had anastomosis with the angular artery or extended to the territory of the angular artery. In addition, 121 cases (42.6%) had nothing done in regard to the angular artery.The results may be helpful for avoiding complications related to facial and maxillary arteries during facial surgeries and cosmetic procedures.

Apocrine Hidrocystoma on the Penis: Report of a Case and Review of the Previous Cases.

Apocrine hidrocystoma, also called apocrine cystadenoma, is a benign cystic tumor-like lesion that arises from the proliferation of apocrine glands. Clinically, it usually occurs singly as a unilocular or multilocular, dome-shaped translucent cyst. Histologically, it appears as unilocular or multilocular cysts composed of an inner layer of single or double layer of secretory columnar epithelium with decapitation secretion lying above an outer myoepithelial cell layer. Apocrine hidrocystomas mostly occur within the head and neck region and involvement of genitalia is extremely rare. This paper emphasizes the importance of considering the differential diagnosis of a genital cystic lesion. Herein, we report a case of apocrine hidrocystoma occurring in the penis and compare the clinicopathological characteristics of apocrine hidrocystoma in genitalia with the previous cases.

Case of punctate palmoplantar keratoderma type I treated with combination of low-dose oral acitretin and topical salicylic acid and steroid.

Palmoplantar keratodermas (PPK) are heterogeneous disorders characterized by abnormal keratinization. Especially, punctate PPK (PPPK), one of the subtypes of hereditary PPK, is a rare punctate keratoderma characterized by tiny "raindrop" keratoses having a tendency to coalesce on the edge of soles, which are exposed to sustained pressure. If typical punctate lesions are confined to the palms and soles and the patient has a family history and late onset, it can be considered as PPPK type I (PPKP1), also called Buschke-Fisher-Brauer disease. The exact etiology of PPPK has not been fully understood. Furthermore, no standardized treatment for PPPK has been established and treatment options are limited. Above all, traditional systemic retinoids have been used in several cases, but dose-related adverse effects are common. Therefore, combination of low-dose systemic retinoids and adjuvant topical therapy can be an alternative treatment option for PPPK. Herein, we report a case of PPKP1 treated with combination of low-dose oral acitretin (10 mg/day) and topical salicylic acid and steroid. Despite low capacity, low-dose acitretin showed excellent regression of the lesions by combined use of topical ointments. The supplementary topical therapy may be useful in reducing the dose of systemic retinoids and preventing potential toxicity.

Cutaneous Metastatic Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma from a Mediastinal Sarcoma.

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma, is a malignant neoplasm that arises in both soft tissue and bones. In 2002, the World Health Organization declassified malignant fibrous histocytoma as a formal diagnostic entity and renamed it 'undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma not otherwise specified.' It most commonly occurs in the lower extremities and rarely metastasizes cutaneously. We report a case of cutaneous metastatic undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the buttocks occurring in a 73-year-old man diagnosed with mediastinal sarcoma 4 years previously. He first noticed the mass approximately 2 months previously. Histological findings with immunomarkers led to a final diagnosis of cutaneous metastatic sarcoma from mediastinal undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma.