No abstract available.
Humans ; Interferon-alpha* ; Interferons* ; Melanoma* ; Ulcer*

BACKGROUND: Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is an important enzyme in the metabolism of thiopurines including azathioprine (AZA), 6-mercaptopurine, and 6-thioguanine. TPMT genotyping is widely used for screening of AZA-related toxicity during routine clinical practice in Korea. However, the data of TPMT genotypes and its AZA-related toxicity have not been studied in the field of dermatology. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic basis of TPMT polymorphism in Korean dermatologic patients and subsequently to investigate the relationship between mutant TPMT and adverse responses to AZA treatment. METHODS: This study was retrospective, single-center study. One hundred forty-nine Korean dermatologic patients who underwent TPMT screening test were included. Each patient's medical records, the result of TPMT screening test, dose and treatment period of AZA, and side effects, were reviewed. Laboratory tests were assessed at each visit in order to monitor adverse drug reactions. Leukopenia grading was used in accordance with the common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) ver. 4.03. RESULTS: Behçet's disease was the leading disorder among the patients. The frequency of TPMT mutation was 4.0% (6/149) among the participants in this study. Four of the six patients with genetic alterations were treated with a low-dose AZA regimen, but no AZA-related adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that 1) TPMT polymorphisms in Korean dermatologic patients are similar to those previously reported in Asian patients with the most common mutant allele being TPMT*3C and 2) AZA can be used in the patients with these polymorphisms under a careful dosing regimen.
6-Mercaptopurine ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Azathioprine ; Behcet Syndrome ; Dermatology ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Genotype ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukopenia ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Thioguanine

Quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been reported to be significantly associated with Behçet's disease (BD). However, no reports have described HPV infection as a possible cause for the development of BD. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether anti-HPV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titer is increased in BD. Serum samples from 93 Korean BD patients, who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of the International Study Group for BD, were used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The clinical activity of BD was evaluated at the time of blood sampling. HPV-16 L1 virus-like particle (VLP) antigen was used in this study for the ELISA. Patients with BD had significantly higher antibody titers against HPV-16 (optical density [OD], 0.210–3.675; mean 0.992) than that of healthy controls (OD, 0.248–0.762; mean 0.517; P < 0.001). Using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, a cut-off value of 0.578 OD for the anti-HPV antibody titer was determined that differentiated BD patients from healthy controls. When we compared the clinical features of BD between the 2 groups, articular involvement of BD was more likely in patients with an anti-HPV-16 antibody titer < 0.578 OD (P = 0.035). In addition, patients with an anti-HPV-16 antibody titer < 0.578 were significantly younger than those with a titer ≥ 0.578 OD. HPV itself may be a possible extrinsic triggering infectious agent causing the development of BD.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of skin tumors has been increasing over the past few years due to an aging population, environmental changes, and improved access to medical institutions. OBJECTIVE: To report the rate of relapse and complications after surgical treatment, and suggest appropriate ways of treating benign skin tumors. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 846 patients with benign skin tumors who were diagnosed and treated by a single dermatosurgeon. RESULTS: Of the 846 patients, 18 (2.1%) developed local recurrence. Epidermal cysts (15/390) were the most common skin condition, followed by lipomas (2/149). The recurrence rate of epidermal cysts showed no statistical difference when treatment options and the presence of inflammation or suppuration at the first visit were considered. Six patients (0.7%, 6/846) had one of the complications such as persistent inflammation over one month, severe pain, secondary infection, or skin necrosis. All the lipomas following recurrence or those with complications were located in the intramuscular or submuscular area of the forehead, which were easily localized by sonography. CONCLUSION: Surgery is a valuable method for the treatment of benign skin tumors with low rates of complication and relapse. For better outcomes after treatment, dermatologists should attempt to remove these tumors completely and consider the use of imaging studies before treatment.
Aging ; Coinfection ; Epidermal Cyst ; Forehead ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Lipoma ; Necrosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin* ; Suppuration

No abstract available.
Body Piercing ; Ear* ; Female* ; Humans ; Young Adult*

Primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland (PDALG) is a rare tumor accounting for less than 2% of all tumors arising within the orbit. It is classified as a high-grade malignant epithelial tumor due to its variable biologic behavior and aggressive clinical course. Due to its rare incidence, the clinicopathologic profile is poorly identified and generally dependent on the few available reports and case series. Metastatic lesion of PDALG presenting as a skin lesion is very rare with only one previously reported case. We report here a case of metastatic PDALG that presented with cutaneous features. This case illustrates that such a rare malignant tumor may present to dermatologists, requiring prompt diagnosis and management with a multidisciplinary approach.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Carcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Incidence ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; Orbit* ; Skin

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Activins* ; Humans ; Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic* ; Telangiectasis*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Activins* ; Humans ; Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic* ; Telangiectasis*