BACKGROUND: Although palmoplantar epidermal cysts have long been associated with develop ment following implantation of an epidermal fragment as a result of a penetrating or blunt injury, the pathogenic mechanism is still not fully understood. Since 1987, many cases have been reported in which human papillomavirus(HPV) could be associated with palmoplantar epidermal cysts. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the clinicopathological findings of palmoplantar epidermal cysts and investigated them for the presence of HPV in order to examine the role of HPV in the pathogenesis of this disorder in Korea. METHODS: The clinical, histological, immunohistochemical studies were performed on seven cases of plantar cysts, and two cases of palmar cysts. RESULTS: No previous trauma history was seen. Histopathologically, parakeratotic nuclei, or vacuolar strutures within the keratinous mass in the cyst cavity were found. However, we could not find intracytoplasirnic eosinophilic bodies in the wall, the cyst content, or the overlying epidermis. The dyskeratotic keratinocytes were observed in 3 cases. Papillomavirus common antigens were not detected by immunohissochemical staining. CONCLUSIONS: Palmoplantar epidermal cysts in Korea have some different histological features compared to those of HPV 60-associated cases in Japan and we could not detect the immunohistochemical evidence of HPV infection in our cases.
Eosinophils ; Epidermal Cyst* ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Japan ; Keratinocytes ; Korea ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating

Fisting is an uncommon sexual activity, and death due to fisting is very rare. In the present report, we describe a case of a woman who died from fisting by her male partner. A 38-year-old woman went to a motel with a man after consuming alcohol, and there they kissed each other. As desired by woman, the man inserted his fingers into her vagina and anus, and later inserted his fist and forearm into her vagina and anus. After 20-30 minutes of fisting, the woman became unconscious and died. The autopsy confirmed the presence of perineal and vaginal lacerations with massive internal pelvic soft tissue injury with uterine artery rupture. A partial tear was noted at the rectosigmoid junction. The cause of death was hypovolemic shock due to uterine artery rupture. Following court trials, the assailant was sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment for the felony of inflicting bodily injury resulting in death.
Anal Canal ; Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Fingers ; Forearm ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Male ; Rupture ; Sexual Behavior ; Shock ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Unconscious (Psychology) ; Uterine Artery ; Vagina

We report a case of anosacral cutaneous amyloidosis in a 74 year-old-man. The skin finding is a patch of the size of a childs palm on the sacral area, consisting of brownish macular lines that radiate frorn the anus. Histopathology revealed defiosits of homogenous eosinophilic mateial s in the papillary dermis. Congo red staining and dylon staining was positive. Immuohistochemical staining using anti SAP antibodies and anti-keratin antibodies showed positive reactions.
Amyloidosis* ; Anal Canal ; Antibodies ; Child ; Congo Red ; Dermis ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Skin

The affiliations were published incorrectly.

We report three cases of rat mite dermatitis caused by Ornithonysus bacoti(Hirst, 1913), commonly referred to it as the tropicalrat mite. The first case, a 26-year old female had multiple pinhead sized vesicles with peripheral erythematous macule on the upper arms. The second case, a 34-year-old femal had multiple variable sized vesicles with erythematous base on the extremeties. The third case, a 43-year old male had multiple erythematous macules and papules with central punctum on the trunl: and extremities. Histopathologic sections from lesions of the first and second patient showed moderate perivascular lymphahistiocytic infiltration intermingled with some eosinophils. Causative mites, Ornithonyssus bacoti, female were collected around the skin lesion in rase 1, from the house dust in case 2 and furniture in case 3.
Adult ; Animals ; Arm ; Dermatitis* ; Dust ; Eosinophils ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Interior Design and Furnishings ; Male ; Mites* ; Rats* ; Skin

No abstract available.
Neurons*

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma(BCC) is the commonest type of skin malignacy, and its incidence is increasing. As a result, the number of cases requiring treatment by dermatologists may also be increasing. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify the presentation pattern of BCC and to assessce the surgical treatment used in the dermatological surgery clinics in Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul City Boramae Hosptial between 1994 to 1998. METHOD: We reviewed the medical records and checked clinical aspects and surgical treatment methods. RESULTS: The Total number of patients was 33. There were 21 Females and 12 males. The Mean age was 63.1. The most common anatomical site was the face and scalp(30 cases, 91%). The mean size of the tumor was 12.2 by 9.6 mm. BCCs were removed by complete surgical excision with a normal skin margin of 2 to 4 mm. The local flap was most commonly used to repair surgical wounds (55%) and primary closure was used in 39% of patients. A Pedicle flap and full thickness skin graft were also used in surgical defect reconstruction. CONCLUSION: With increasing public awareness and earlier presentation there may be a reduction in tumor size at the time of diagnosis. As most BCCs are found on the head and neck and are usually more or less than 1cm in diameter, it is thought that appropriate education of surgical skills should be needed and offered.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Diagnosis ; Education ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Seoul ; Skin ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries*

No abstract available.
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma*

This study was carried out to investigate the morphologic characteristics and localization of antigenic molecules of Pneumocystis carinii in experimentally induced P. carinii pneumonia in rats. After six weeks of administration of low protein diet and dexamethasone, Sprague-Dawley rats were sacrificed to submit lungs or bronchoalveolar lavage for the study. Monoclonal (092, 900, 902, and 904) and polyclonal (SP-D) antibodies were used for immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy (ITEM and ISEM). Immunohistochemically P. carinii organisms were well identified as clusters or separated forms in the alveolar spaces being frequently attached to the alveolar walls. Immunoelectron microscopically the adherences of gold particles were observed on the surface of all stages of the P. carinii. Occasionally positive immunogold labeling was observed in the cytoplasm of the trophozoites and on the pellicle of the intracystic bodies within the cysts. The monoclonal antibodies 092, 900, 902, and 904 reacted mainly with pellicles of P. carinii, whereas SP-D labeled on the pellicles, intracystic bodies, cytoplasms of the alveolar macrophages, and free floated surfactant material in the alveolar spaces. The immunogold particles were observed more diffusely and intensely in the cysts than in the trophozoites. These results indicate that antigen is mainly localized on the pellicles, and accumulated during development from the trophozoite to the cyst stages.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Cytoplasm ; Dexamethasone ; Diet, Protein-Restricted ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microscopy, Immunoelectron ; Pneumocystis carinii* ; Pneumocystis* ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Trophozoites

BACKGROUND: Lichen planus is a papulosquarnous disease characterized by pruritic violaceous papules most commonly an the extremities of middle-aged adults. It may or may not be accompanied by oral and genital mucous membrane involvement. Its course is generally self-limited for a period of several months to years, but it may last indefinitely. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to find the clinical characteristics of lichen planus. METHODS: Thirty-five cases of lichen planus comfirrned clinically and histopathologically were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidenc of lichen planus was 0.073% of the total number of dermatologic patients. The age distribution was in the range of 14-63 years old being most prevalent in the 6th decade and there was ariequal sex ratio. The most common site of involvement was the mucous membrane, and the extremities were more common than the trunk. Pruitus or pain and discomfort developed in 28 pat,ients(80% ). In most cases, the treatment was topical corticosteroid and antihistamine. Sixteen cses improved within 1 month to 2 years. Five cases recurred in the improved cases. CONCLUSION: The clinical analysis of 35 patients with lichen planus was performed. The incidence of lichen planus was 0.073% of the total number of dermatologic patients. Males and females were equally affected Mucous membrane involvement was detected in 21 patients(60%).
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lichen Planus* ; Lichens* ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Sex Ratio