BACKGROUND: It has been reported that the phototherapy with blue light (415 nm) or a mixed blue and red light (415 nm and 660 nm) is effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris. however, the effects of red light on acne vulgaris have not been investigated. OBJECT: To examine the effects of red light (680 nm) on patients with moderate acne vulgaris. METHODS: Patients treated their skin by themselves, using portable light source (680 nm), and irradiation was performed for 7 minute twice daily. Each patient was evaluated every 2 weeks with Burton scale and the numbers of papules and pustules. After 6 weeks, the degrees of satisfaction of patients and physicians were assessed. RESULT: Therapy with red light significantly decreased the numbers of papules and pustules (p<0.01). The numbers of satisfied patients and physicians at the end of treatment were 59 (83.1%) and 56 (78.9%) respectively. Side effect was not reported, except only one patient complained of headache. CONCLUSION: Phototherapy with red light (680 nm) was effective and safe treatment for patients with acne vulgaris.
Acne Vulgaris* ; Headache ; Humans ; Phototherapy* ; Skin

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APGS) is characterized by the association of two or more endocrine disorders that are mediated by autoimmune mechanism. We report herein a case of alopecia universalis associated with APGS manifesting autoimmune Addison's disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, primary gonadal failure, which met the criteria of APGS type II. Alopecia is less commonly associated PGA type II.
Addison Disease ; Alopecia* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Gonads ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroiditis

BACKGROUND: The human keratinocyte can synthesize interleukin 6 (IL-6) under certain conditions, and the IL-6 synthesis is inhibited by interleukin 4 (IL-4) in the human monocyte. OBJECTIVE: To find out what kind of stimulating agents can induce the IL-6 production and whether IL-4 affects the production of IL-6 in the human cultured keratinocytes. METHODS: We stimulated the keratinocytes with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS), fetal bovine serum (FBS), human recombinant interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) to induce the IL-6 production, and treated the keratinocytes, which stimulated either with 10% FBS or human recombinant IFN-gamma, with human recombinant IL-4. RESULTS: The LPS stimulation resulted in no increase of IL-6 levels in the keratinocyte supernatants. When the keratinocytes were stimulated either with 1%, 5%, 10% FBS with or without 5 microgram/ml LPS, significantly increased amounts of IL-6 were detected. The level of IL-6 in the keratinocytes treated with the human recombinant IFN-gamma increased, too. The human recombinant IL-4 downregulates the secretion of IL-6 by the keratinocytes which were activated either with 10% FBS or human recombinant IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: We have shown that it is possible to induce the IL-6 synthesis by stimulating the keratinocytes and that human recombinant IL-4 profoundly inhibits the synthesis of IL-6. So we suggest that there may be a cytokine network which regulates the primary immune response in the skin.
Humans* ; Interleukin-4* ; Interleukin-6* ; Interleukins* ; Keratinocytes* ; Monocytes ; Skin

We herein report a case of mastocytosis with unusual cutaneous manifestations resembling pseudoxanthoma elasticum or xanthoma which were exaggerated on the intertriginous areas including axillae, groin and neck in a 39-year-old woman. It was characterized by multiple yellowish papules and plaques with a cobblestone appearance. In addition, there were diffuse red-dish macules and papules of varying sizes mainly on the trunk and extremities. Histopathologic findings showed a very dense infiltrate of large numbers of round to oval cells in the upper and mid dermis. These cells revealed metachromasia on the toluidine blue stain. She also had hepatosplenomegaly and some evidence of bone marrow involvement. There was significant improvement in,the skin lesions with psoralen plus ultraviolet A(PUVA) therapy and potent topical corticosteroid.
Adult ; Axilla ; Bone Marrow ; Dermis ; Extremities ; Female ; Ficusin ; Groin ; Humans ; Mastocytosis ; Neck ; Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum ; PUVA Therapy* ; Skin ; Tolonium Chloride ; Xanthomatosis

We report a case of sarcoidosis which developed in the skin, lung and eyes in a 50-year-old woman. The skin lesions showed two types of cutaneous manifestations which were subcutaneous nodules on her back and erytrematous papules on the face for several months. Our patient's seurm angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) level was elevated at 33.5 IU/L(reference range, 8.3-21.4 IU/L) and the purified protein derivative(PPD) skin test had a negative result. On her roentgenographic examinations, we could find multiple nodular densities with hazziness on both her lungs and radionuclides(Gallium 67) uptakes in right lower lung field. The ratio of helper to suppressor T cells was 9 in bronchial lavage. Diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made on the basis of histologic findings of non-caseating granulomas from skin and lung tissue. Treatment was initiated with oral alternate-day prednisone 40mg. The cutaneous lesions and dyspnea improved in 2 and 4 weeks respectively, and serum ACE level returned to normal in 2 months.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Prednisone ; Sarcoidosis* ; Skin ; Skin Tests ; T-Lymphocytes

BACKGROUND: It is well-known that the giant congenital nevi prcgress to malignant, melanama more frequently than other benign melanocytic nevi but to date the laor tory methods for early detection of such progression were not avsilable. The proliferating cell uncleai antigen(PCNA) staining has been regsrded as an useful marker in determining prognosis of some maignant diseases. OBJECTIVE: The PCNA taining was performed as a predictive value of malignant transformation from benign meanocytic skin lesions. We investigated the differcnces between malignant melanoma and the benign lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical study was employee using anti-PCNA, anti-S-100, and anti-CD45RO antibody in 6 giant congenital nevi, 8 small and medium sized congenital nevi, 10 acquired nevi, and 10 malignant meanomas. Only cells positive for both PCNA and S-100, and negative for CD45RO on the serial sections were identified as melanocyts. RESULTS: The number of PCNA-posit,ive cells per 1000 melanocy,es averaged 6.0+7.5 in giant, congenital nevi, 2.9+1,9 in small and medium sized congenital novi, 3.1+2.7 in acquired nevi, and 61.5+ 39.4 in malignant, melanomas. Malignant melanomas showed onger intensity of PCNA staining than the other melanocytir nevi. CONCLUSION: There was not significant difference of the numter of PCNA-positive cells among the groups of congenital neviind PCNA staining can't be used in prditive measure of malignant. progression and studying mechansm of malignancy in giant congenital nevi. But, PCNA staining is considered as an useful method in differentiat,ing malignant melanoma from mllanocytic nevi.
Melanoma ; Nevus ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Prognosis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen* ; Skin*

We report herein a case of lymphomatoid papulosis showing atypical clinical manifestations. A 54- year-old man had had recurrent erythematous necrotic papules and nodues, numbering more than 200 lesions at the most aggravated time, on the trunk, extremities, buttok, and face for the last twenty years. Recently, he complained of tender swelling on the neck, axillae, and inguinal lymph nodes accompanied by mild fever and gerneral weakness. We had performed thorough examinations including biopsy from the skin lesions, lymph node, and bone marrow to detect some evidences of transforming to malignant lymphoma, but found no evidence of malignant lymphoma except aneuploidy on DNA histogram. The patients showed proinpt response to methotrexate 10-30mg par week wit,hout showing distinct side reactions to the accurvulated dose of 780mg for the last 16 months.
Aneuploidy ; Axilla ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; DNA ; Extremities ; Fever ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma ; Lymphomatoid Papulosis* ; Methotrexate ; Neck ; Skin

No abstract available.
Glomus Tumor*

We report a case of secondary anetoderma due to pilomatricoma. A 15-year-old girl presented with a soft, 1.5 × 1.5cm in size, atrophic, pinkish and bulged-out lesion overlying the palpable subcutaneous mass on the left upper arm for several months. Histologic examination revealed the reduced number of dermal elastic fibers overlying a typical pilomatricoma.
Adolescent ; Anetoderma* ; Arm ; Elastic Tissue ; Female ; Humans ; Pilomatrixoma*

We report a case of secondary anetoderma due to pilomatricoma. A 15-year-old girl presented with a soft, 1.5 × 1.5cm in size, atrophic, pinkish and bulged-out lesion overlying the palpable subcutaneous mass on the left upper arm for several months. Histologic examination revealed the reduced number of dermal elastic fibers overlying a typical pilomatricoma.
Adolescent ; Anetoderma* ; Arm ; Elastic Tissue ; Female ; Humans ; Pilomatrixoma*