BACKGROUND: Post-herpetic neuralgia is the most serious one of herpes zoster complications and its incidence becomes higher as the age of the patient increases. Nevertheless, besides considering the age and onset time of treatment, there is no more objective factor estimating the prognosis of post- herpetic neuralgia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to understand the progression of herpes zoster and estimate the prognosis of post-herpetic neuralgia by practicing electrodiagnostic tests to patients with herpes zoster. METHODS: We evaluated the pain scales in 26 patients with herpes zoster on the first visit and 2 months later. We also performed electrodiagnostic tests, more objective and reproducible methods, including somatosensory evoked potentials and motor nerve conduction studies on both the involved and uninvolved sites of 32 lesions in 26 patients with herpes zoster, and then compared the results with the change of pain scales. RESULTS: 1. The pain category scale and visual analogue scale on the second examination were significantly decreased compared with those on the first examination (P<0.05). 2. Latencies of intercostal somatosensory evoked potentials recorded on scalp and spine were significantly delayed in involved sides compared with those in uninvolved sides (P<0.05). 3. In the latencies and conduction velocities of motor nerve conduction studies, no significant differences were seen between involved sides and uninvolved sides. 4. On the second examinataion, latency differences of somatosensory evoked potentials were significantly improved compared with those on the first examination (P<0.05). 5. Among the various somatosensory evoked potentials parameters, P1 latency difference of cortical somatosensory evoked potentials between involved and uninvolved sides correlated significantly with pain category scale ard visual analogue scale on second examination (r=0.48, P<0.05; r =0.51, P<0.05, respectively). N1 latency difference of spinal somatosensory evoked potentials between involved and uninvolved sides correlated significantly with a visual analoge scale on the first examination and pain category scale on the second examination (r=0.61, P<0.05; r=0.78, P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Intercostal somatosensory evoked potentials can be a useful and reliable technique to predict the development and severity of post-herpetic neuralgia.
Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neural Conduction ; Neuralgia* ; Prognosis ; Scalp ; Spine ; Weights and Measures

We present a case of multiple trichoepithelioma associated with milia. A 12-year-old girl developed symmetrically distributed, numerous, skin-colored papules on her face, some of which were studded with milia-like whitish materials. Histopathological findings of these lesions revealed the typical findings of trichoepitheliomas with overlying milia in the upper dermis.
Child ; Dermis ; Female ; Humans

No Abstract Available.
Latex Hypersensitivity* ; Latex* ; Operating Rooms*

Fetal cystic hygroma is a rare congenital malformation of the lymphatic system appearing as a single or multiloculated fluid-filled cavity, most often in the neck. A case of fetal nuchal cystic hygroma was diagnosed by Ultrasonography at 22 weeks of gestation and the diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy. We present the case with a brief review of literature.
Autopsy ; Diagnosis ; Lymphangioma, Cystic* ; Lymphatic System ; Neck ; Pregnancy ; Ultrasonography

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the most accurate technique for analysirig low levels of serum IgE. Following results are obtained from experiments by PRIST, Overnight PRIST, PRIST using RAST anti-IgE tracer and Overnight PRIST using RAST anti-IgE tracer methods with cord serum and maternal serum of 21 individuals respectively. 1) There was no statistical significance in maternal serum IgE titer using above 4 methods. However, the higher level of IgE titer was found in PRIST method when IgE was over 190 IU/ml(5 cases) estimated by PRIST method and in Overnight PRIST using RAST anti-IgE tracer method when Ig.E was below lgp IU/ml (16 cases) (p40.05). 2) In cord serum IgE titer, only Overnight PRIST using RAST anti-IgE tracer method showed statistical significance. 3) The most desirable correlation coefficient between maternal serum and cord serum IgE titer was estimated by Overnight PRIST using RAST anti-IgE tracer method than any other rnethods.
Immunoglobulin E*

We performed an epidemiologic survey to investigate the dermatologic problems from cutting oils in metal workers. The personal questionnaires and dermatologic examinations were performed on 360 metal workers who were working at 50 metal industries. The pH meter (HANNA 8520) and the atomic absorption spectrometer(G.B.C. 902) were employed to measure the pH values of cutting oil and the concentration of heavy metals contained in cutting oil respeetively. The results were as follows : 1. The prevalence rates of the dermatologic disorders from cutting oil were 46.0% of eontact dermatitis, 10.9% of black comedone, and 7.1% of paronychia in orders. The dermatologic disorders that seemed to be not directly associsted with cutting oil were callosity(19.1%), burn by metal chips(9.8%), and mechanical injury(5.7%). 2. The localizations of the contact dermatitis and the black cemedone from cutting oil were 84% of hands, 6.6% of face, and 5% af forearms. More detailed localizations of the contact dermatitis and black comedone that developed in hand were 29.6% if finger tip, 27.6% of palm and palm finger, and 19.1% of palm finger only in orders. 3. The prevalence rates of the dermatologic disorders by the of cutting oil were 51.5% of soluble oil, 68.8% of insoluble oil, and 80.8% of mixed cutting oil which containing both soluble and insoluble oil. 4. The mean pH value of aoluble cutting oil was 8.0 and that of insoluble cutting oil was 7.0. 5. The concentrations of heavy metals contained in soluble oil were 32.2 mg/m3 of chrome, 6.42 mg/m3 of nickel, and 4.85 mg/m3 of cobalt. The concentrations of heavy metals contained in inspluble oil were 24.11 mg/m of chrome, 4.63 mg/m3 of nickel, and 2.30 mg/m3 of cobalt.
Absorption ; Burns ; Cobalt ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Fingers ; Forearm ; Hand ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Metals, Heavy ; Nickel ; Oils ; Paronychia ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: It is important to avoid the direct contact with water of detergents as possible for the treatment and prevention of hand eczema. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of skin protector, Marly skin on housewifes eczema, METHODS: The patients with hand eczema apply skin protector, Maly skin, four times a day on their both hands. They are evaluated with the scores of subjective symptor is(itch, dryness, smarting) and objective signs(erythema, scaling, fissures), and skin replica which are taken from the specified site are analysed by using an image analyser and, scanning electron micrascipe. RESULTS: 4 weeks after application of skin protector, there are statstically significant decrease of total clinical symptom scores. Scanning electron microscopic findings of the skin replicas show marked changes between the beginning and the end of the study. On quantive image analysis of the skin replicas, the length of fissure is a little decreased and the depth of rrows is slightly increased than before application of skin protector, but these are not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Skin protector, Marly skin, has a protective effect on the development of hand eczema.
Detergents ; Eczema* ; Hand ; Humans ; Mali ; Skin

We report two cases of benign symmetrical lipornatosis, one associated with mild hyperthyroidism in a 57-year-old man and the other with alcoholic hepatitis in a 57-year-old man. In the histologic exsmination of the excised mass we found fibrous pseudocapsules surrounding adipose tissue in case 1, but not in case 2. Liposuction was performed in case 1 and simple excision in case 2 for treatment of tumors. The tumor masses were not recurred in clinical observation for follow-up 5 months after treatment.
Adipose Tissue ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis, Alcoholic ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Lipectomy ; Lipomatosis* ; Middle Aged

The influence of serum IgE level on T cell function and number in atopic dermatitis was performed. For the study we selected 2 groups of atopic derrnatitis patients which were 10 cases of atopic dermatitis patients with more than 400 IU/ml of serum 1gE level and 1(l cases with less than 400 IU/ml, The lymphocyte transformation test with phytohernagglutinin and E-rosette test with AET treated sheep cell were perforrned in each group and compare the result of each group with each other and al'o with those of control group. The reults are as follows; l. The mean serum level of IgE in AD(538. 8 407.42 IU/ml) was higher than in normal control(126. 5 133, R8 IU/ml) (p<0.01). 2 The mean LTT S.I. in AD(8.83 -3.85) was lower than in nomnal control (13.99 5.55) (p<0.01). 3. The mean percentage of E-rosette in AD(68,65+6.6g) was lower than 4pp IU/ml(mean+2x SD of serum IgE of control groups), 1) The LTT S, I. was decreased in both groups according to increment of serum IgE, The higher IgE group(8.64+3,9p) had statistical significance compared to normal control(13.gg+5.55) (p<0.01) but not in low IgE group(9.08:4.11).2) The percentage of E-rosette was decreased in both groups according to increment of serum IgE. The both groups of low IgE(71.08.-6,24) and high IgE(66. 22 6. R7) had statistical significance compared to normal control(77.65+4.39 %) (p 0.01).
beta-Aminoethyl Isothiourea ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Sheep

Epidermal cysts may develop on any part of the body. Most of them are thought to occur following inflammation of the epithelium of the hair follicle. These found on the palm and sole where the hair follicle is absent have been considered to developmant of following a traumatic inclusion of the epidermis into the Dermis. Because only a few cases w re known to be related to preceding trauma, the latter assumption has been questioned. Reerly, the HPV-like virions and papillomavirus genus-speciric antigen were detected in the epicrml cyst of the sole in some reports. 1 our cases of plantar epidermal cyst were studied for the presence of human papillomavirus using conventional histologic and immunohistochemical examinator Histologic examination showed three characteristic findings, that is, intracytoplasmic eosinophil odies in the cyst wall, parakeratosis within the cyst caviti, and vacuolar structures disperse the wall and cavity. In all of the cases, immunohistochernical staining was positive for papule evirus antigen. These findings suggest an etiologic as.iation between the papillomavirus infection and plantar epidermal cyst.
Dermis ; Eosinophils ; Epidermal Cyst* ; Epidermis ; Epithelium ; Hair Follicle ; Humans* ; Inflammation ; Papilloma* ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Parakeratosis ; Virion