Alopecia areata(AA) is a common dermatologic disease, the origin of which is still unknown. At least, it has been associated with some genetic influences in the etiopathogenesis. We have now evaluated AA patients to study the actual association of the genetic role by fingerprint analysis. The incidences of six or more arches were determined in 74 female and 86 male patients excluding alopecia totalis and universalis, and in healthy 167 female controls, based on Selmanowitz's thesis (1974). The results of this study are follows: 1. The difference between the frequency in AA patients(7. 5%) and in controls (3.3%) reaches the statistical significance(p<0.05 by x2-test). 2. The association of genetic background in AA is strengthened in the group of female patients(p<0. 01), recurrent episode(p<0.01). and multiplex farm (p<0.01). 3. Twenty patients(12. 5%) have family history. The incidence in 3(15.0%) of these patients is considerably common but not statistically significant. A correlation of biologic relevance and family predisposition in AA is not precluded. 4. The frequency of arches in patients and in controls is increased on both second fingers and decreased on both fourth fingers. It is more common on both second and left third fingers in female patients. The incidence of arches averages about 6 67% in patients and 4. 58% in controls.
Alopecia Areata* ; Alopecia* ; Dermatoglyphics* ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male

We experienced 12 cases of 8 patients Duputren's contracture, which is a rare disease entity and characterized by proliferative fibroplasia of the subcutaneous palmar aponeurosis and contracture of the palmar fascia and result in the deformity of the hand and fingers. Among 12 cases, we operated 11 cases and the result was excellent in 2 cases and good in 6 cases, and there were no evidence of recurrence over the follow-up period, average 4.1 years.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Dupuytren Contracture ; Fascia ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Humans ; Rare Diseases ; Recurrence

We experienced a case of granulation tissue occuring in lateral sulci of the right thumb, index, middle and left thumb, middle finger nails in 71-year-old psoriatic male patient taking 5pmg daily(0.6mg/kg/day) during 4th week of etretinate therapy. The excision of the granulation lesion and partial nail ablation was performed and his doses was lowered to 25mg daily (0. 3mg/kg/day). The condition were resolved with no recurrence 4 weeks later after the operation.
Acitretin* ; Aged ; Etretinate* ; Fingers ; Granulation Tissue* ; Humans ; Male ; Nails ; Recurrence ; Thumb

We report herein a case of polymorphic pemphigoid in a 65-year-old woman, who had one-year history of generlized polymorphic eruption with intensely pruritic excoriated vesicobiullous lesions and residual pigmentation. Face and oral mucosa were spared. The skin biopsy specimen showed a subepidermal blister containing many eosinophils. Linear deposition of 1gG and C3 along the basement membrane was noticed on direct irnmunofluorescerice. Polyclonal garnmopathy with a tendency of beta-gamma bridging and increased IgG, IgA and kappachain, was frund on serum protein electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis. Skin lesions were well coritrolled by a combined therapy of prednisolone(20 mg/d), dapsone(100 mg/d) and cyclophosphamide(100 mg/d) for 4 months. Direct immunofluorescence performed 11 rnonths after the cnmpletion of the therapy was negative.
Aged ; Basement Membrane ; Biopsy ; Blister ; Electrophoresis ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct ; Humans ; Immunoelectrophoresis ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin G ; Mouth Mucosa ; Pemphigoid, Bullous* ; Pigmentation ; Skin

No abstract available.
Pancreatitis*

The ligamentum nuchae is a midline structure extending from the occiput to the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra. Radio-opaque formations in the soft tissues behind the processes of the cervical spine has been known to radiologists since Barsony's description in 1929. It may actually be a normal sesamoid, or it may have developed as a result of previous trauma. But this remains hypothetical in that histological endochondral ossification sequence has not yet been demonstrated. These are generally asymptomatic and of clinical significance only in so far as they may be confused with fracture or tumors. Two patients who had clinical symptoms with or without previous trauma visited and they were relieved of their clinical symptoms by surgical excision. Then, we report on two unusual cases which were symptomatic.
Humans ; Spine

A new fibrinogen system, consisting of highly concentrated fibrinogen and thrombin, is going to be applied in many clinical fields. Especially in injuries of the cartilagenous joint surface as chondral or osteochondral fractures, replantation of the fragments must be considered mandarory in order to preserve joint congruence and to prevent further destruction of the articular cartilage. The authors have an encouraging results by using this fibrin adhesive system (F.A.S.) in the experimental works.
Cartilage, Articular ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive ; Fibrinogen ; Joints ; Replantation ; Thrombin

Plexiform neurofibroma is considered a pathognomic of Von Recklinghousen's disease, which involves the deep and large nerve trunk. These are large irregular nerve fascicles which result from an increase in endoneural matrix within individual nerve facicles, without an increased number of nerve fibers. We experenced a case of Von Recklinghausen's disease in a 24 year-old male who had variable cutaneous skeletal, and CNS lesions. He presented multiple neurofibromas, cafe-au-lait spots, and axillary freckles as common cutaneous lesions of NF-I and giant pigmentation, sacral hypertrichosis, and plexiform neurofibroma as unusual cutaneous lesions. Also he had a scoliosis, bowing deformity of the humerous and wedging deformity of the body of the 5th cervical spine as a skeletal manifestation and cortical calcification in the occipital area as a CNS manifestation.
Cafe-au-Lait Spots ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Hypertrichosis ; Male ; Melanosis ; Nerve Fibers ; Neurofibroma, Plexiform* ; Neurofibromatoses ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Pigmentation* ; Scoliosis ; Spine ; Young Adult

Biofeedback is the treatment of choice for functional defecation disorders such as idiopathic chronic constipation and neurogenic fecal incontinence. The pre-existing biofeedback systems have many disadvantages. The aims of current project are, first, to develop the biofeedback system into the application software in the Windows environment, and, second, to assess the possibility of clinical usage for patients with functional defecation disorders. The hardware and software of the BASCO (Biofeedback Anal Sphincter Control) system were based on the signal measurement and signal processing of anal sphincter EMG (Electromyography). BASCO system was applied to 5 normal healthy controls and 20 patients with functional defecation disorders. Patients group was categorized as constipation group (N1=15) and incontinence group (N2=5). With use of current system, EMG-based biofeedback therapy was performed, and the outcome was analysed. Anal EMG signal data was processed by the software, and displayed in the monitor of personal computer. The software of EMG-display and database management were adequately operated. In N1 group, a paradoxical elevation or equalized activity of anal EMG pattern was shown in the simulated defecation. In N2 group, low electrical activity was shown. These findings were used for the EMG-based biofeedback therapy as a pilot study. The clinical symptoms were improved in 12 of N1 group and 3 of N2 group in the period of 3.7 (range, 1~12) months follow-up. In Conclusion, newly-developed BASCO system was adequately operated in the volunteer and patients groups. The multi-tasking and multi-processing functions were adequately shown in the real time. Current results could be used for clinical appraisal. Specifically, this system could be used for the practical application of biofeedback therapy in the patients with chronic constipation or fecal incontinence.
Anal Canal* ; Biofeedback, Psychology* ; Constipation ; Defecation* ; Fecal Incontinence ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Microcomputers ; Pilot Projects ; Volunteers

Supernunmerary nipple is a developmental anomaly occuring alon, the course of the embryological milk lines. This entity has receieved little attention in the dermatologic literature and has been confused with a pigmented nevus in some cases. We have experienced two ease of the more unusual form of supern umerary nipple. According to the Kajavas classification, our caes are classified as polithelia pilosa and complete breast with nipple.
Breast ; Classification ; Milk ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Nipples*