Compound nevus is considered to be a common benign cutaneous tumor which is composed of nevus cells containing melanin pigment. However, compound nevus which has junctional activity has been described as actual precursors of malignant melanoma. Recently we experienced a case of compound nevus of the auditory canal, causing ear canal obstruction, intermittent hearing impairment and otorrhea in a 34-year-old female patient. The compound nevus was treated with a wide excison and full thickness skin graft by endaural approach.
Adult ; Ear Canal* ; Female ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Melanins ; Melanoma ; Nevus* ; Skin ; Transplants

Most of the interstitial lung diseases are rare, chronic, progressive and fatal disorders, especially in familial form. The etiology of the majority of interstitial lung disease is still unknown. Host susceptibility, genetic and environmental factors may influence clinical expression of each disease. With familial interstitial lung diseases, mutations of surfactant protein B and surfactant protein C or other additional genetic mechanisms (e.g. mutation of the gene for ATP-binding cassette transporter A3) could be associated. We found a 21 month-old girl with respiratory symptoms, abnormal radiographic findings and abnormal open lung biopsy findings compatible with nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis that is similar to those of her older sister died from this disease. We performed genetic studies of the patient and her parents, but we could not find any mutation in our case. High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone and oral hydroxychloroquine were administered and she is still alive without progression during 21 months of follow-up.
Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine/administration and dosage ; Infant ; Korea ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial/drug therapy/*genetics/pathology/physiopathology ; Methylprednisolone/administration and dosage ; Siblings ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical differentiation of peritonsillar abscess from peritonsillar cellulitis can be difficult and often relies on diagnostic needle aspiration that is invasive. The differential diagnosis of the two conditions is very important for the planning of treatment. This study is to evaluate the usefulness of gray scale image (GSI) and color doppler image (CDI) using intraoral ultrasonography in differential diagnosis of the peritonsillar abscess from peritonsillar cellulitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with suspected peritonsillar abscess were included in this study. GSI and CDI of the intraoral ultrasonography with 7-MHz curved linear array transducer were used. RESULTS: The peritonsillar abscess showed inhomogeneously hypoechoic or cystic space on GSI and rim-shaped color flow signal on CDI. The peritonsillar cellulitis showed homogeneously hypoechoic or striated textual appearance on GSI and diffusely increased color signal on CDI. The sensitivity of GSI for diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess and peritonsillar cellulitis was 91.7% and 77.8%, respectively, whereas the specificiy of CDI proved to be 100% for the diagnosis of both conditions. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that intraoral ultrasonography is a useful and noninvasive technique for diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess.
Cellulitis ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Needles ; Peritonsillar Abscess* ; Transducers ; Ultrasonography*

Pregnancy outcomes in patients with congenital heart disease have not been fully assessed in Korea. Forty-nine pregnancies that occurred in 34 women with congenital heart disease who registered at our hospital between September 1995 and April 2006 were reviewed. Spontaneous abortions occurred in two pregnancies at 6+1 and 7 weeks, and another two underwent elective pregnancy termination. One maternal death in puerperium occurred in a woman with Eisenmenger syndrome. Maternal cardiac complications were noted in 18.4%, pulmonary edema in 16.3%, symptomatic arrhythmia in 6.1%, deterioration of New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class by > or =2 in 2.0%, and cardiac death in 2.0%. Independent predictors of adverse maternal cardiac events were an NYHA functional class of > or =3 (odds ratio [OR], 20.3), right ventricular dilation (OR, 21.2), and pulmonary hypertension (OR, 21.8). Neonatal complications occurred in 22.4% of pregnancies and included preterm delivery (16.3%), small for gestational age (12.2%), and neonatal death (2.0%). Independent predictors of adverse neonatal events were pulmonary hypertension (OR, 6.8) and NYHA functional class > or =3 (OR, 23.0). Pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease was found to be significantly associated with maternal cardiac and neonatal complications. Pre-pregnancy counseling and multidisciplinary care involving cardiologists and obstetricians are recommended for women with congenital heart disease contemplating pregnancy.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Adult ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital/complications/*physiopathology ; Humans ; Korea ; Multivariate Analysis ; Obstetrics/methods ; Odds Ratio ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular/physiopathology ; Pregnancy Outcome