Lichenoid drug eruption is a lichenoid skin eruption caused by certain drugs and compounds, and can be similar to lichen planus. A 51-year-old man who had taken antihypertensive drugs (enalapril, dilazep dihydrochloride) and cholesterol lowering drug (atorvastatin) for 4 years had received allopurinol for asymptomatic hyperuricemia for 4 months. He developed pruritic erythematous papules and plaques with silvery scales on the face, trunk and extremities after taking allopurinol for 3 months. He had no fever, no eosinophilia and no systemic abnormalities. Histopathologic findings showed hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, hypergranulosis, band-like lymphohistiocytic infiltration and perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltration in the dermis, which were compatible with lichenoid drug eruption. The skin rashes disappeared after he stopped taking allopurinol and was treated with steroids.
Allopurinol ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Cholesterol ; Dermis ; Dilazep ; Drug Eruptions ; Enalapril ; Eosinophilia ; Exanthema ; Extremities ; Fever ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; Lichen Planus ; Middle Aged ; Parakeratosis ; Skin ; Steroids ; Weights and Measures

Circumscribed palmar or plantar hypokeratosis is a rare dermatosis, and it consists of asymptomatic erythematous, well-circumscribed and depressed patch with scaly borders on the palm or sole. It usually affects middle-aged or elderly women. Histopathologically, it has a sharp stair between the normal and involved skin, and a demarcated area with an abrupt decrease in the horny layer thickness. We report herein a case of circumscribed palmar hypokeratosis that was successfully treated with cryotherapy.
Aged ; Cryotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Skin ; Skin Diseases

Circumscribed palmar or plantar hypokeratosis is a rare dermatosis, and it consists of asymptomatic erythematous, well-circumscribed and depressed patch with scaly borders on the palm or sole. It usually affects middle-aged or elderly women. Histopathologically, it has a sharp stair between the normal and involved skin, and a demarcated area with an abrupt decrease in the horny layer thickness. We report herein a case of circumscribed palmar hypokeratosis that was successfully treated with cryotherapy.
Aged ; Cryotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Skin ; Skin Diseases

PURPOSE: Recent studies have shown that the procedure of laparoscopic appendectomy requires a learning curve before mastering. The aim of this study was to investigate the question of whether a surgeon who has been working as a first assistant for training in laparoscopic colorectal surgery can perform laparoscopic appendectomy without previous experience as an operator in laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS: Ninety consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy by a single surgeon were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The operating surgeon completed fellowship training of the colorectal cancer division as a first assistant for two years. The patients were divided into two groups by consecutive order: Group (A) included the initial 45 patients and Group (B) included the next 45 patients. The clinical patient demographics, histological diagnosis, and outcome variables including operation time, conversion to open surgery, complications, and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: No difference in operation time was observed between the groups (mean: 58.22 min vs 66.6 min, p=0.097). Open conversion rate and drain insertion rate were similar between the two groups. There was no difference in length of hospital stay. Overall complication rate did not differ between the two groups. Moving average curve showed no specific time shortening point within these 90 enrolled patients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that laparoscopic appendectomies performed by a surgeon who had achieved a training course as an assistant in laparoscopic colorectal surgery were performed safely without any difficulties during the learning period. This finding needs further validation in additional large-scale studies.
Appendectomy* ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Colorectal Surgery ; Conversion to Open Surgery ; Demography ; Diagnosis ; Fellowships and Scholarships* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Learning ; Learning Curve* ; Length of Stay ; Retrospective Studies

Progressive transformation of germinal centers (PTGC) is a rarely diagnosed, benign disease of the lymph nodes that commonly manifests as chronic lymphadenopathy. PTGC may be characterized by single or multiple non-tender lymph nodes, and it commonly involves the cervical, axillary, and inguinal areas. Although PTGC is identified with concurrent lymphoma in some patients, it is not considered as a premalignant entity. Histopathologic diagnosis of PTGC is rarely made, and imaging findings have been reported in very few studies. We present a case of PTGC that occurred at the contralateral axillary lymph nodes and mimicked metastatic lymphadenopathy after breast cancer surgery. We also discuss its imaging findings.

Primary neuroendocrine carcinomas of the breast are a rare, distinct category of breast carcinomas that require immunohistochemical staining for diagnosis. Currently, there is not enough evidence on the clinical pattern, prognosis, and proper management of the disease. Only few case series have described the imaging findings of neuroendocrine carcinomas of the breast. We herein present a case of a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast (small cell) presenting as a locally aggressive tumor with metastatic disease, and describe the radiologic findings.

Progressive transformation of germinal centers (PTGC) is a rarely diagnosed, benign disease of the lymph nodes that commonly manifests as chronic lymphadenopathy. PTGC may be characterized by single or multiple non-tender lymph nodes, and it commonly involves the cervical, axillary, and inguinal areas. Although PTGC is identified with concurrent lymphoma in some patients, it is not considered as a premalignant entity. Histopathologic diagnosis of PTGC is rarely made, and imaging findings have been reported in very few studies. We present a case of PTGC that occurred at the contralateral axillary lymph nodes and mimicked metastatic lymphadenopathy after breast cancer surgery. We also discuss its imaging findings.

Primary neuroendocrine carcinomas of the breast are a rare, distinct category of breast carcinomas that require immunohistochemical staining for diagnosis. Currently, there is not enough evidence on the clinical pattern, prognosis, and proper management of the disease. Only few case series have described the imaging findings of neuroendocrine carcinomas of the breast. We herein present a case of a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast (small cell) presenting as a locally aggressive tumor with metastatic disease, and describe the radiologic findings.

As South Korea transitions into a super-aged society, addressing the challenges of aging through tailored nutritional strategies is becoming increasingly critical. This study developed a hemp seed soup designed for the elderly, using the functional benefits of hemp, a nutrient-dense ingredient rich in dietary proteins, essential fatty acids, polyphenols, and antioxidants. Soups were formulated with varying levels of hemp seed powder (0% (CS), 25% (HS25S), 50% (HS50S), and 75% (HS75S)), to address the dietary needs and physiological characteristics of the elderly, including mastication and swallowing difficulties. Increasing the hemp seed powder levels significantly enhanced the crude protein, total polyphenol, and flavonoid contents while improving the antioxidant activities, as assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. HS75S exhibited the highest nutritional values and antioxidant activity. By contrast, food texture analysis showed that the viscosity decreased at higher hemp seed concentrations, with HS25S and HS50S demonstrating favorable textures for elderly consumption.Consumer acceptance testing identified HS50S as the most preferred sample, scoring highest in flavor, texture, and overall acceptability. This study highlights the potential of hemp seeds as a functional ingredient in developing nutritious and elderly-friendly food products. The hemp seed soup, with its enhanced protein, antioxidant properties, and tailored texture, offers a promising solution to improve the nutritional status and health of the elderly. Future studies should explore the long-term health benefits of hemp seed soup and its integration with other functional ingredients to optimize the sensory and nutritional properties.

As South Korea transitions into a super-aged society, addressing the challenges of aging through tailored nutritional strategies is becoming increasingly critical. This study developed a hemp seed soup designed for the elderly, using the functional benefits of hemp, a nutrient-dense ingredient rich in dietary proteins, essential fatty acids, polyphenols, and antioxidants. Soups were formulated with varying levels of hemp seed powder (0% (CS), 25% (HS25S), 50% (HS50S), and 75% (HS75S)), to address the dietary needs and physiological characteristics of the elderly, including mastication and swallowing difficulties. Increasing the hemp seed powder levels significantly enhanced the crude protein, total polyphenol, and flavonoid contents while improving the antioxidant activities, as assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. HS75S exhibited the highest nutritional values and antioxidant activity. By contrast, food texture analysis showed that the viscosity decreased at higher hemp seed concentrations, with HS25S and HS50S demonstrating favorable textures for elderly consumption.Consumer acceptance testing identified HS50S as the most preferred sample, scoring highest in flavor, texture, and overall acceptability. This study highlights the potential of hemp seeds as a functional ingredient in developing nutritious and elderly-friendly food products. The hemp seed soup, with its enhanced protein, antioxidant properties, and tailored texture, offers a promising solution to improve the nutritional status and health of the elderly. Future studies should explore the long-term health benefits of hemp seed soup and its integration with other functional ingredients to optimize the sensory and nutritional properties.