The basic concept of the laser was first described by Einstein in 1917. Laser is an acronym for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation". The applications of laser light to the field of medicine were begun in 1960s. Since that time there has been a great increase in the development of laser technology and in the understanding of laser-target tissue interactions. The theory of selective photothermolysis mans that a chromophore can be selectively damaged with a laser light of an appropriate wavelength and of a suitably short pulse duration that is shorter than the thermal relaxation time of the chromophore. The introduction of pulsed tunable dye lasers has considerably improved the treatment of vascular lesions, particularly light pink nevus flammeus in children. The argon pumped dye laser and copper vapor laser may be better for telangiectatic and the hypertrophic nevus flammeus often seen in adults. Since the Q-switched and pused green light lasers are capable of selective photothermolysis of melanosomes and tattoo dyes, their efficacy has been under investigation for the treatment of pigmented lesions. The automated delivery systems such as Hexascan produce a superior cosmetic result when compared with manual delivery of laser light and the risk of scarring is reduced. Further comparative study is needed to determine which lesions respond best to each laser system, and which treatment techniques are optimal. Treatment combining more than one of these laser systems may prove superior to any of them used alone.
Adult ; Argon ; Child ; Cicatrix ; Coloring Agents ; Dermatology* ; Humans ; Lasers, Dye ; Lasers, Gas ; Melanosomes ; Port-Wine Stain ; Relaxation

Herpes simplex virus(HSV) infection has long been considered as a cause of erythema multiform(EM), especially the recurrent type, although its exact role in the pathogenesis of herpes-associated erytherna multiforme(HAEM) is unknown. In this study, HSV DNA was detected in 8 of 29 cases of EM by the polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and in 19 of 29 cases by Southern blot hybridization with PCR products. In 4 cases of EM, we performed PCR & Southern blot hybridization in both lesional and normal skin. HSV DNA was found in 3 of 4 cases of lesional skin but not detected in normal skins by Southern blot hybridization with PCR products. These results confirm the presence of HSV DNA in lesions of HAEM and support the concept of and HSV-specific immune-mediated pathogenesis for this disease.
Blotting, Southern ; DNA ; Erythema Multiforme* ; Erythema* ; Heme ; Herpes Simplex* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Simplexvirus* ; Skin

Epiclerrnal growth factor(EGF), a low-molecular-weight polypeptide chain consisting of 53 amino acids, stimulates the growth and keratinization of epidermal cells. Recently, some authors reported that hair growth rate and follicular bulb growth were inhibited by EGF in neonatal mice. Since the hair and follicular cells are of epidermal origin, the effect of EGF would appear to be inconsistent with its role promoting the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells in vivo and in vitro. We have investigated the effects of EGF on the hair and epidermis in adult male mouse. The results are summarized as follows: l. 1'he hair length and maximum diameter were significantly reduced in EGF- treated regions compared with control group, and inhibition of hair growth was correlated with EGF dose. Thickness of the epidermis was significantly increased in EGF-treated regions compared with control group, and proliferation of the epidermis was correlated with EGF dose. 3 There were no significant differences in the hair length, maximum diameter, and egidermal thickness between untreated contralateral right mid-side regions of EGF-treated groups and control group.
Adult ; Amino Acids ; Animals ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Epidermis ; Hair* ; Humans ; Male ; Mice*

Cambison ophthalmic ointment is an easily available topical medicament in Korea, However, the allergic contact dermatitis lo Cambison ophthalmic ointment has not been reported in Korean dermatology literature. We report, a case of allergic contact dermatitis in a 28-year-old female who suffered from itchy, erythematous patches on both periorbital areas. She wore contact lenses and for the last year, she hac applied Cambison ophthalmic ointment to both periorbital areas. The skin lesions were aggravated gradually. A patch test showed positive reactions to Cambison ophthalmic ointment, neomycin, mercury and thimerosal. We suspect neomycin contained in Cambison ophthalmic ointment to be the etiologic agent. When contact dermatitis occurs on periorbital areas, topical ophthalmic ointment or lens cleaner may be considered as a causative agent.
Adult ; Contact Lenses ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatology ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Neomycin ; Patch Tests ; Skin ; Thimerosal

Malignant pyoperma is a rare, chronic, progressive, destructive ulcerating skin disease of unknown cause that affects the head and neck region of young adults. The disease is progressive but responds to high doses of systemically administered steroids. We present a case of malignant pyoderma developed on the left retroauricular area in 67 year-old male. The patient died of rapidly progressive, desructive, 15cm x 20 cm sized, phagedenic ulcer on the left retroauricular and neck area despite of various extensive local and systemic treatment. Histopathologic findings of tissue from the edge of the ulcer were non-specific, showing upper dermal necrosis and mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate in the deep dermis.
Aged ; Dermis ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; Necrosis ; Pyoderma* ; Skin Diseases ; Steroids ; Ulcer ; Young Adult

As the incidence of dermographism in our urticaria clinie is quite high comparing data in other country, we have tried to survey the incidence of ermographism in the general population of Korea using a dermographic tester designed by other author. Total 8g7 healthy persons were included in this study from March J98$ to .December 1983. The study result was summarized as follows, 1. Male to female ratio was 2. 5: 1 and the peak age of the subjects was third(47 8%), fourth and fith decades in ecreasing order, The overall incidence of dermographisrn from the pressure of 48ppg/cm was 4.4% and there were no significa.nt difference in the incidences between male(4, 2%) and female(4 7%) (p>0. 1), and between the different age groups(p>0 l)
Female ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Korea ; Male ; Urticaria

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Contact* ; Tigers*

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyperproliferation and incomplete differentiation of keratinocytes. Mounting scientific evidence suggests that this epidermal alteration occurs as a response to an immunologic injury, giving rise to the concept that psoriasis is a skin-specific autoimmune disease. Indeed, many effective therapeutic agents for psoriasis are immunosuppressive in nature, lending further support to this view. The well known ability of calcipotriene and 1,25(OH)2D3 to inhibit keratinocyte proliferation and to induce its differentiation is certainly compatible with their antipsoriatic actions. In addition, topical calcipotriene has been shown to correct, at least in part, the local cytokine imbalance observed in psoriatic lesions. Interleukin (IL)-8 is a proinflammatory cytokine that is chemotactic for polymorphonuclear cells and T lymphocytes. It also promotes proliferation of keratinocytes and endothelial cells. In lesional psoriatic skin, IL-8 and its receptor levels are markedly elevated. IL-10 is an immunosuppressive cytokine, which as a type2 (T2) cytokine antagonizes cell-mediated immunity. Indeed, IL-10 administration has been shown to improve psoriasis. Topical calcipotriene markedly reduces elevated levels of IL-8 while simultaneously increasing IL-10 levels in lesional skin of psoriasis. These changes occur very early, within the first three days of therapy, prior to significant clinical improvement of psoriasis, indicating that the cytokine alterations are not simply secondary to resolution of psoriatic plaques. Therefore, elaboration of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 and a concomitant reduction in the proinflammatory cytokine IL-8 may mediate the immunopharmacological improvementin psoriasis by calcipotriene.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Cholecalciferol ; Cytokines ; Endothelial Cells ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunosuppression ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukins ; Keratinocytes ; Psoriasis ; Skin Diseases ; Skin* ; T-Lymphocytes ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

No abstract available.
Embryonic Stem Cells*

We report a case of recurrent herpes genitalis in a 5-year-old girl which was considered to result from childhood sexual abuse. The skin lesion was an eroded erythematous macule with overlying multiple vesicles on the labia majora. We detected Herpes simplex virus DNA by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a biopsy specimen from the vesicular lesion.
Biopsy ; Child, Preschool ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; DNA ; Female ; Herpes Genitalis* ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sex Offenses* ; Simplexvirus ; Skin