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

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

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

Cutis verticis gyrata(CVG) is an unusual conformation of the scap characterized by the presence of folds and furrows due to thickening of the corium and the subutlneous tissue. In sccordance with etiological factor and associated findings, CVG occurs as primarary disease or secondary to a variety of local or systemic diseases. Cerebriform intradermal nevus(CIN) is a cause of CVG that can usually be recognized clinically and for a certainty histologically. We report two cases of CVG due to CIN. Not only did they have CVG due to CIN on the scalp, but also they had associated congenital nevi on the face and whole boispy, respectively.
Dermis ; Nevus ; Nevus, Intradermal* ; Scalp

We have recently experienced a case of cysticercosis treated with praziquantel. The patient, 22-year-old female, with 43 cystic masses had marked clinical response to the administration of praziquantel (75 mg/kg/day) for 7 days. It seems that praziquantel, anticestodal agent, might be a safe and effective therapy for this infection.
Cysticercosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Praziquantel* ; Young Adult

A 61-year-old woman, who had been treated by acupuncture on the glabellar region due to frontal headache ten days ago, had a rapidly growing tumor on that region. Histopathologically, the tumor was shown to be a central crater filled with eosinophilic keratin & a marginal but-tress formed by invagination of the epidermis. According to clinical & histopatholpgical findings, we can easily diagnose our case as solitary keratoacanthoma. As shown in our case, we think that acupuncture should be counted as one of the causative factors in the development of solitary keratoacanthoma.
Acupuncture* ; Eosinophils ; Epidermis ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Keratoacanthoma* ; Middle Aged

A 61-year-old woman, who had been treated by acupuncture on the glabellar region due to frontal headache ten days ago, had a rapidly growing tumor on that region. Histopathologically, the tumor was shown to be a central crater filled with eosinophilic keratin & a marginal but-tress formed by invagination of the epidermis. According to clinical & histopatholpgical findings, we can easily diagnose our case as solitary keratoacanthoma. As shown in our case, we think that acupuncture should be counted as one of the causative factors in the development of solitary keratoacanthoma.
Acupuncture* ; Eosinophils ; Epidermis ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Keratoacanthoma* ; Middle Aged

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

Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare genodermatosis of ectodermal dysplasia, which is characterized by the diagnostic triad consisting of reticulated hyperpigmentation, dystrophic nails, and leukoplakia. There is a predisposition to malignancy, particularly at sites of leukoplakia. Bone marrow failure can occur in about a half of the cases. A 16-year-old boy was presented with asymptomatic reticulated pigmentation of the neck and nail dystrophy. The patient also had leukoplakia on the tongue, nasolacrimal duct obstruction and cataract. The histopathological findings taken from the reticulated lesion were consistent with poikiloderma atrophicans vasculare. These clinical and histopathological findings were typical features of dyskeratosis congenita.
Adolescent ; Bone Marrow ; Cataract ; Dyskeratosis Congenita* ; Ectodermal Dysplasia ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Leukoplakia ; Male ; Nasolacrimal Duct ; Neck ; Pigmentation ; Tongue