Allergic (Henoch-Schonlein) purpura is a nonthrombocytopenic purpura that affects small nonmuscular vessels with involvement of skin, gastrointestinal tract, joint, and kidney. Pancreatitis has rarely been reported as a complication of H-S purpura. In 1965, hemorrhagic pancreatitis as a complication of H-S purpura was reported by Toskin. We experienced one case of pancreatitis complicated with H-S purpura: pancreatic head enlargement was noted in small bowel series and abdominal sonogram with increased serum amylase level (160 U/dL) in a 6-year-old female child who complained of abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody stool, and petechiae on lower extremities.
Abdominal Pain ; Amylases ; Child ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Head ; Humans ; Joints ; Kidney ; Lower Extremity ; Pancreatitis* ; Purpura ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch* ; Skin ; Vomiting

Kaposi's sarcoma is a rare lympho-angioproliferative neoplasm with four types of variants: classic, iatrogenic immunosuppressive drug-associated, AIDS-related and Africa-endemic Kaposi's sarcoma. Most immunosuppressive drug- associated Kaposi's sarcomas usually occur after a kidney transplant or after receiving immunosuppressive therapy. A 64-year-old female patient showed numerous purpuric nodules and smaller erythematous plaques on the right lower leg for three months. Previously, the patient was treated with an immunosuppressive drug for rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis for a five-week period. A skin biopsy was performed under the clinical diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma. We performed immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction to detect human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8). We report a case of iatrogenic immunosuppressive drug-associated zosteriform Kaposi's sarcoma that rapidly occurred five weeks after prednisolon therapy in a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis patient.
Biopsy ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; Humans ; Kidney ; Leg ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sarcoma, Kaposi ; Skin ; Transplants ; Viruses

Amelanotic melanomas comprise only 2% of malignant melanomas and are commonly a difficult clinical diagnosis, due to the lack of melanin pigment typically found in melanomas. Even rarer is the amelanotic malignant melanoma, which may clinically mimic a variety of other less serious cutaneous lesions such as erythema or pruritus, and therefore misdirecting the clinician toward improper treatments and frequently delaying necessary diagnostic biopsy. We report a rare case of amelanotic melanoma occurring in the left retromandibular area with a poor prognosis. A 73-year-old woman presented with a 3-year history of a erythematous lesion in the left retromandibular area. The lesion was surgically removed and biopsy was performed. The biopsy specimen showed atypical, pleomorphic tumor cells with little melanin pigment. On immunohistochemical study, the tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein, HMB-45 and Melan-A. These findings were consistent with amelanotic malignant melanoma. On positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), hypermetabolic lesions were found in both the axillary lymph nodes. She was treated with chemotherapy. But four months later, the patient died. Amelanotic melanoma is extremely rare and is more aggressive than pigmented lesions in the similarly stage. The absence of pigmentation in the tumor may result in diagnostic confusion. The clinician should be familiar with the presentation of amelanotic malignant melanoma to facilitate prompt diagnosis. Early diagnosis is crucial since survival is related to tumor thickness and tissue invasion.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Early Diagnosis ; Electrons ; Erythema ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrazines ; Lymph Nodes ; MART-1 Antigen ; Melanins ; Melanoma ; Melanoma, Amelanotic ; Pigmentation ; Prognosis ; Pruritus ; S100 Proteins

Subungual squamous cell carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor. It may clinically mimic a variety of benign inflammatory lesions and this frequently misdirects the clinician toward delaying proper treatment. In this article, a 62-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of repeat swelling, erythema and severe pain on the left fourth fingernail. She had been frequently treated under the clinical impression of paronychia or onychomycosis. Despite the treatment, no improvement was noted. She had an incisional biopsy of the perionychium. The histologic diagnosis was revealed invasive, well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. On the whole body PET-CT, hypermetabolic lesion was found in the distal phalanx of the left fourth finger. She underwent amputation at the distal phalangeal joint. There has been no recurrence of tumor for one year after surgery. In conclusion, subungual squamous cell carcinoma is often mistaken for chronic inflammation. When resistance to treatments is observed, the possibility of malignancy must be considered and early biopsy is recommended.
Amputation ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Erythema ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans ; Hydrazines ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Middle Aged ; Nails ; Onychomycosis ; Paronychia ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Based on the unlimited proliferative and self-renewel properties of cancer cells similar to those of stem cells, the idea that cancer may originate from stem cells has been suggested in many different studies and has given rise to cancer stem cell hypothesis. CD133, being normally expressed on the surface of hematopoietic stem cells, has recently been suggested as a marker of cancer stem cells in several malignancies. CD24 and CD44 are membrane proteins reported as markers of various neoplasms. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of the CD24, CD44 and CD133 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and malignant melanoma (MM). METHODS: We performed immunohistochemical staining for CD24, CD44 and CD133 using 18 skin cancer tissue samples, including 6 SCCs, 6 BCCs and 6 MMs. The expression of each marker was standardized by the histochemical score (HSCORE). RESULTS: The expression of CD24 showed positive in 1 case of 6 SCCs (mean HSCORE, H; 0.02) and showed negative in 6 BCCs (H; 0.00), 6 MMs (H; 0.00). The expression of CD44 was not observed in 6 SCCs (H; 0.00) but observed in 1 case of 6 BCCs (H; 0.04) and 1 case of 6 MMs (H; 0.03). The expression of CD133 showed positive in 2 cases of 6 SCCs (H; 1.21) and 1 case of 6 BCCs (H; 0.05) and 6 cases of 6 MMs (H; 2.78). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that CD133 may be a reliable marker of which the higher expression is observed in the more invasive skin cancers and that the existence of cancer stem cells may enhance tumorigenic potential in cutaneous malignant tumors.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Melanoma ; Membrane Proteins ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; Skin Neoplasms ; Stem Cells

The skin concentrations of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP), and 4, 5', 8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) were studied in the guinea pig following oral administration and bathing. The skin concentration of phototoxic drugs after oral administration peaked at 1.5 hours, and the concentration of 8-MOP was 3.5 times greater than that of 5-MOP. The skin concentration of TMP was not detected in our study (limit of sensitivity 5ng/ml). The skin concentrations of phototoxic drug after bathing decreased in the order of 5-MOP, TMP, and 8-MOP
Administration, Cutaneous ; Administration, Oral ; Animal ; Guinea Pigs ; Methoxsalen/administration & dosage/*analysis ; PUVA Therapy ; Skin/*chemistry ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Trioxsalen/administration & dosage/*analysis

PURPOSE: The aim of this research is to examine the abnormal liver function complicated with Kawasaki disease (KD) and to analyze its clinical characteristics and complications. METHODS: Ninty eight cases were diagnosed as having KD, among which thirty four cases had abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (>30 IU/L). These abnormal ALT cases were evaluated in terms of age and sex distribution, major symptoms, complications, laboratory and histopathologic findings. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 2.4 : 1 and most patients (91.2%) were under 5 years of age. Cervical lymphadenopathy was observed in 3 cases (8.8%); and recurred cases were two (5.8%). Average fever duration was 8 days: average length of hospitalization was 9 days; and average recovery period was 13 days. Immediately after admission, positive CRP was observed in 31 cases (91.2%), leukocytosis (>10,000/mm(3)) in 26 cases (76.0%), thrombocytosis (>450,000/mm(3)) in 7 cases (20.6%), and anemia (<10 gm/dl) in 7 cases (20.6%), respectively. GB hydrops or cholecystitis were noted in 3 cases (8.8%) abnormal ECG finding in 1 case (2.9%), coronary dilatation or aneurysm in 2 cases (5.9%). Liver biopsy was done in four cases and revealed mild infiltration of lymphocytes on the portal area and mild bile duct proliferations. CONCLUSION: The abnormal liver function was noted in 34.7% of KD patients, and subsided all within one month. But the liver function test should be checked closely in patients of the abnormal liver function test complicated with KD despite of its good prognosis.
Alanine Transaminase ; Anemia ; Aneurysm ; Bile Ducts ; Biopsy ; Cholecystitis ; Dilatation ; Edema ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Fever ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Leukocytosis ; Liver Function Tests ; Liver* ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Prognosis ; Sex Distribution ; Thrombocytosis

BACKGROUND: The abuse, misuse, and adverse effects to topical drugs have been widespread in Korea due to lack of awareness of seriousness of drug abuse and misuse, and improper designation of prescription and non-prescription drugs. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to bring Korean people to an awareness of the abuse, misuse, and adverse effects of topical drugs, and to stress the importance of proper designation of non-prescription drugs. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, clinico-epidemiologic evaluation was made from patients with adverse effects to topical drugs who visited 31 dermatologic departments in university hospitals or private clinics nationwide from march, 2002 to December, 2002. RESULTS: The diagnostic incidence of adverse effects from topical drugs are abuse and misuse (40%), dermatophytosis incognito (29%), bacterial infection (14%), contact dermatitis (9%), acne (2.5%), skin atrophy (1.4%), telangiectasia (1%). Erghty three percent of adverse effects are caused by topical corticosteroids, and betamethasone valerate, prednicarbate and triamcinolone acetonide are commonly used topical corticosteroids that induce adverse effects frequently. The most common way to obtain topical drugs is purchase directly from pharmacist without prescriptions. CONCLUSION: From this study, we confirmed that adverse effects to topical corticosteroids are very common even after the enforcement of designation of prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs. The proper designation of prescripton drugs should be reevaluated and based on the safety of patients to protect people from adverse effects of topical drugs.
Acne Vulgaris ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Atrophy ; Bacterial Infections ; Betamethasone Valerate ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Nonprescription Drugs ; Pharmacists ; Prescription Drugs ; Prescriptions ; Prospective Studies ; Skin ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Telangiectasis ; Tinea ; Triamcinolone Acetonide

PURPOSE: Vitiligo prevalence and its associated comorbidities rate have been reported variably among different populations. We aimed to determine the prevalence of vitiligo in Korea along with the baseline rate of comorbidities and compared the risks to the general population using hospital visit information of the total population in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed demographic characteristics of vitiligo patients in Korean population from 2009 to 2011 in a nationwide data from Health Insurance Review Assessment Service. Patients who had at least one visit to Korea's primary, secondary, or tertiary referral hospitals with International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code for vitiligo were identified. As a supplementary study, comorbidities associated with vitiligo were selected for further review to calculate relative risks compared to the general population. RESULTS: The annual prevalence of vitiligo determined by hospital-visiting rate in Korea was 0.12% to 0.13% over a three year period. In sync with other previous epidemiological studies, there was bimodal distribution among the age groups and no difference between genders. Also, vitiligo in Korean population was associated with various autoimmune/non-autoimmune diseases such as thyroiditis, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. CONCLUSION: This study was by far the most comprehensive review on prevalence of vitiligo using a data of total population in Korea. The prevalence is within a range of those reported in previous literatures, and increased risk of comorbidities such as thyroid diseases and psoriasis in vitiligo might aid clinicians in the initial work up of vitiligo patients and concurrent follow ups.
Adult ; Aged ; Autoimmune Diseases/*epidemiology/immunology ; Comorbidity ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Population Surveillance ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Thyroid Diseases/epidemiology ; Vitiligo/*epidemiology

BACKGROUND: During the 2009 influenza pandemic in Korea, school-age children were mostly attacked by the novel influenza A virus (H1N1). Nevertheless, there is limited information on the cumulative incidence of the 2009 influenza pandemic among school populations. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of 2009 H1N1 influenza and influenza-like illness (ILI), and characterize the epidemiology among school-based populations in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analyzed the data collected by the daily school influenza reporting system for laboratory-confirmed influenza (H1N1 2009 pdm) and ILI in elementary, middle and high schools in Korea during the period, July 1 to December 20, 2009. RESULTS: Between July 1 and December 20, 2009, a total of 525,668 cases of H1N1 2009 pdm were reported from the schools analyzed. The cumulative incidence of H1N1 2009 pdm was highest in elementary school children between 8 and 13 years of age (11,058 per 100,000 population), followed by middle school students between 14 and 16 years of age (10,080 per 100,000), and high school students between 17 and 19 years of age (8,886 per 100,000). With the alignment of the epidemic curves by the three levels of school education, the age group-specific differences in the timing of the infection became apparent. The infections peaked 1 week earlier in both middle and high school students (November 3, 2009) than in elementary school children (November 10, 2009). The infections occurred an average of 7.3 [95% confidence interval(CI): 7.2-7.4] and 3.4 (95% CI: 3.3-3.5) days earlier in the middle and high school students, respectively, than elementary school children (P<0.001). The overall trend of the epidemic waves from the school reporting system data was similar to that of the national surveillance date from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that during the 2009 pandemic, one student in every 10 was infected with H1N1 2009 pdm, which is double that estimated from the national surveillance data. In addition, middle and high school students were important drivers of H1N1 2009 pdm transmission in 2009. During the 2009 influenza pandemic, the daily school reporting system provided valuable information for estimating the incidence as well as the epidemiological characteristics in school-based populations.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Child ; Humans ; Incidence ; Influenza A virus ; Influenza, Human ; Korea ; Pandemics