Psoriasis is a common chronic recurrent inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by round, circumscribed, erythematous dry scaling patches of various sizes, covered by grayish white or silvery white, imbricated and lamella scales. The number of psoriasis have tendency to increase on these days in Korea. To evaluate a general tendency of psoriasis at the Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine in Ewha Womans University in 1982, 281 cases of psoriasis at OPD were analized by the clinical data. The results were as follows: 1. Male incidence was 122(43.4%) and female 159(56.6%) out of 281 cases of psoriasis. There is no signiifcant sex differences(M:F 1:1.3). 2. The peak incidence of age group was aged between 20 to 29(33.1%). The incidence under 20 was 15.3%. Mosi: of the patients(68.0%) was aged between 20 and 49. R. The most frequent site of involvement was on the entire body(47.7%). Frequent involved site in descending order were lower extremities, upper extremities, scalp, elbows and knees. 4. There was no significant seasonal variation in psoriasis in 1982(Spring: 26. 7%., Summer: 25.6%, Fall: 18.5% Winter: 29.2g). 5. The incidence of psoriasis in 1982 at OPD of Ewha Womans University hospital was 1.95% in total new patient of 14,424.
Dermatology ; Elbow ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Knee ; Korea ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Psoriasis* ; Scalp ; Seasons ; Skin ; Upper Extremity ; Weights and Measures

Scleroderma is an incidious,chronic disease of unknown causes, and may be defined as a disease complex of vascular changes, fibrosis, and inflammation that to varying iegrees involves skin and visceral organs. But it has been suggested that an autoimmune mechanism is concerned, 20-year-old female was reported that she has been suffering from dysphagia and vomiting after feeding for 3 years. There has been the "salt and pepper" type hypopigmented patches on eatire body except for face, hands, and feet for 13 years. Diagnosis of scleroderma associated with esophageal achalasia are confirmed by clinical findings, histopathological finding, esophagogram, and gastrofibrascopy. Some literatures are briefly reviewed.
Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Esophageal Achalasia* ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Skin ; Vomiting ; Young Adult

424 patients who were consulted to department of dermatology during their admission in Ewha Womans University Hospital from Jan.to Dec. 1991 were analyzed in order to evaluate the tendency of dermatologic problems. The results were as follows: 1. The most frequent dermatologic problem was eczema. 2. Age prevalence was highest between 40-49. 3. The most frequent dermatologic problem was found in spring. 4. The pathents in internal rnedicine were most, frequently consuled. 5. Patients with diabetes mellitus were most frequently consulted among systernic disease. 6. There was no significant difference in sex ratio. 7. The rate of consultation for acne was increased compared to 1976. 8. The rate of cosultatin for fungal infection was increased compared to the frequency rate of fungal infection of new patients at OPD in 1991.
Acne Vulgaris ; Dermatology* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Eczema ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Prevalence ; Sex Ratio

Port-wine stains (PWSs) are benign congenital vascular malformations that most commonly occur as isolated lesions on the face, neck and trunk. The major indication for therapy in most patient, regardless of age, is psychological burden imposed by the PWSs. A Candela SPTL-1 flashlamp-pumped pulsed dy laser (Candela Corp. Wayland, Mass.) using the principle of selective photothermolysis was used. Selective cutaneous vascular damages are influenced by the wavelength. pulse duration and energy density of the laser. To evaluate histopathological changes according to energy densities are essential to treat cutaneous benign vascular lesion by the iaser. 5 patients with PWSs were treated with the Candela SPTL-1 laser. Lesions were biopsied and analized immediately after laser exposure. 2 days and 7 days after laser exposure. The results were as follows : 1. Depth of penetration The penetration depth was increased from .2mm to 1.9mm with energies ranging from 6J/cm(2) to 10J/cm(2) respectively. 2. Nonvascular damages of epidermis & dermis Focal epidermal vacuolization has been observed in biopsy specimens immediately after laser exposure with energy density 6J/cm(2). As energy densities increased from 6J/cm(2) to 10J/cm(2), histopathological changes got worsened with appearance of vesicles. subepi dermal seperations and epidermal necrosis. 2. Vascular damages of dermis Multiple foci of agglutinated RBC, fibrin and platelet thrombi within the dermal blood vessels have been observed in biopsy specimens immediately after laser exposure. There was a pattern of "acute vasculitis" in the upper dermis and a prominent perivascular neutrophilic responses in the mid-dermis 2 days after laser exposure. Dermal vessels with smaller lumen and granulation tissue have been observed in biopy specimens 7 days after laser exposure. In summary, penetration depth of laser beam and nonvascular epidermal and dermal damages were directly proportional ot the energy density of the laser. But 7 days after laser exposure, epidermis and dermis showed normal appearance without detectable scarring. This study suggested that Candela SPTL-1 laser is safe and has no scar formation on the treatment of PWSs.
Biopsy ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Vessels ; Cicatrix ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Fibrin ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Neck ; Necrosis ; Neutrophils ; Port-Wine Stain* ; Vascular Malformations

No abstract available.

Bleaching creams containing hydroquinone are modestly effective in treating some cutane ous pigmentary disorders. Hydroquinone creams frequently cause mild irritant reactions and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, but rarely allergic reactions. A case of allergic contact dermatitis due to hydroquinone in a 21-year-old woman was confirmed by the patch test.
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Hypersensitivity ; Patch Tests ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: To preserve the natural properties of skin, its waite balance has to be maintained. Properly moisturised skin is soft, supple, luminous, elastic and tonic. Stratum corneum is the bodys main protective barrier agairist the environment along with regulation of water exchange. Pathological factors such as eczema, ichthyosis and psoriasis encourage dehydration of the stratum corneum. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of t.his study was to evaluate interrelation. hip between the hydration state of the stratum corneum and cutaneous manifestation in patients with psoriasis, diabetes and chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. METHOD: Because the cutaneous conductance is an indicator of skin surface hydration state, a water sorption-desorption test of skin was performed. This test furnishes informations of the hygroscopicity and water-hoiding capacity(WHC) of the stratum cornrum in a short time. RESULTS: Hygroscopicity and WHC decreased significantly on th. scaly psoriatic lesion. Hygroscopicity increased significmtly in diabetes with pruritus. In chonic renal failure undergoing hernodialysis, the prehydration state and hygroscopicity decreased. There were no significant differences in prehydration water coritent, hygroscopicity and WHC between pruritic and nonpruritic lesions in diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure respectively. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that disturbed hydration function oi tl e stratum corneum, such as decreased hygroscopicity and water-holding capacity on the scaly pscriatic lesion may play an important role in clinical manifestatior. Pruritus in diabetes mellitus and chromic renal failure patients doesnt seem to be the functional disturbance of hydration in stratum corneum.
Dehydration ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Eczema ; Hip ; Humans ; Ichthyosis ; Incheon ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Pruritus ; Psoriasis ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Skin ; Water ; Wettability

A case of impetigo herpetiformis occurring in a 25-year-old multigravida woman is reported. Superficial grouped pustules on an erythematous base developed on the flexual areas of both extremities and disseminated all over the body with mild pruritus, fever and burning sensation at her 14th weeks of pregnancy. Histopathologic findings showed acanthosis and subcorneal. pogiform pustule. All lesions had gradually improved within 2 weeks after artificial abortior. Our case demonstrates the characteristic features of impetigo erpetiformis, as compared with pustular psoriasis. This, we emphasize the need to preserve it as a separate entity.
Adult ; Burns ; Extremities ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Impetigo* ; Pregnancy ; Pruritus ; Psoriasis ; Sensation

No Abstract Available.
Acne Vulgaris* ; Adolescent* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: CO laser emiis energy in the mid portion of the infrared spectrum at a wavelengt,h of 10,600nm. The CO laser is the workhorse laser in the treatment of cuianeous disease. With water as the chromophore(light-absorbing compound), CO laser light is highy absorbed in biologic tissue. Human body tissue comprises between 75% to 90% of water. The CO laser is superficially absorbed by tissue water, with little scatter, limiting penetration into the skin to less than 0.1 mm. The beam can be delivered with a large spot size and low power density(defocus mode) or focused tightly with great power density(focused mode). AS A RESULT: the CO laser may be used both to vaporize and to cut tissue while coagulating blood vessels, providing a relatively bloodless su gical field. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutie effect of the CO laser on benign cutaneous tumors. MEHTODS: 114 cases of benign cutaneous tumors treated with the CO laser between October 1987 and September 1992 were subjected to detailed analysis, The CO later is Pizer Laser system(U.S.A., Ca) Model 20-C CO. The laser produces power output that ranges from 0 to 25 W of continuous wave. Spot size is variable, between 0.3mm and 2mm. RESULTS: 1. Angiofibromas and seborcheic keratoses showed very good response(95.3%, 92.8% ). 2. Syringomas showed a good esponse(82.8%). 3. Epidermal nevus and trichovpitheliomas showed a fair response(58.5%, 60%). 4. There were hypertrophic scars(10.5%) and transient hypopigmentation. CONCLUSION: The Co laser was a very effective modality for the treatment of benign cutaneous tumors such as angiofibromas, seborrheic keratosis and syringomas.
Angiofibroma ; Blood Vessels ; Carbon Dioxide* ; Carbon* ; Human Body ; Hypopigmentation ; Keratosis ; Keratosis, Seborrheic ; Lasers, Gas* ; Nevus ; Skin ; Syringoma ; Water