BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia is considered to be a genetically determined disorder influenced by age and androgen. The proportion of patients with androgenetic alopecia among the total number of patients with alopecia seems to be gradually increasing. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the family history,clinical and endocrine status of the patients with androgenetic alopecia. METHODS: 1113 patients with androgenetic alopecia who had visited the Department of Dermatology, Yongsan Hospital, College of Medicine,Chung-Ang University during the 3 years (1995.1-1998. 12) have been examined. RESULTS: The results are summarized as follows 1) The incidence of androgenetic alopecia among the total number of alopecia patients was 64.5%, showing recent increment. 2) There were 855 male and 258 female patients being most prevalent in the third decade in both sexes and the patients younger than 30 years old with premature androgenetic alopecia,made up 70.3% of the male patients and 48.8% of the female patients with androgenetic alopecia. 3) While Norwood's type Iia was the most common and following type II, III vertex,and IV in the male AGA, Ludwig's type II was the most common in female AGA 4) There was a family history of baldness in 53.5% of first degree relatives in male patients and 51.6%in female patients. 5)Associated diseases were observed in 565(66.8%) of the male patients and 219 (84.8%) of the female patients:diseases associated with androgen such as seborrheic dermatitis and acne vulgaris occupied 39.1%. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, those who want to treat androgenetic alopecia at the earlier ages are gradually increasing and it seems to be reasonable to believe that the age, genetic factors, localized effects of androgens on the scalp and the density and/or functional activity of androgen receptors may influence the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia.
Acne Vulgaris ; Alopecia* ; Androgens ; Clinical Study* ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Dermatology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Receptors, Androgen ; Scalp ; Testosterone

No abstract available.
Keratinocytes*

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to screen the prevalence of aneurysms in migraineurs; to differentiate presenting features in migraineurs with and without aneurysm; and also to correlate the locations of aneurysm to the clinical features of migraine. Methods: A total of 4,416 subjects were interviewed and completed self-reported questionnaires on headache. Of these, 1,773 subjects diagnosed to have migraines based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders II (ICHD-II) criteria were screened for aneurysm by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). When aneurysm was suspected, further investigation with trans femoral cerebral angiography (TFCA) or three dimensional computerized tomography (CT) angiography was performed. Based upon MRA findings, subjects were grouped into unruptured aneurysm migraine patients (UAMP) and no aneurysm migraine patients (NAMP). Results: The prevalence of aneurysm was 3.6% (63 of 1,773) with the mean age of 56.0 years, which were not different from those of general population. There was no difference in migraine subtypes between UAMP and NAMP. Aggravation of headache by estrogen replacement therapy during menopause (p=.039), history of migraine in young age (p= .021), diplopia (p=.026), and retroauricular pain (p=.025) were significantly associated with presence of aneurysm. Although aneurysms were detected more in anterior circulation, there was no correlation between aneurysm site and headache location. The average size of aneurysm was 3.5 ± 2.1 mm and none were ruptured. Interventional therapy of aneurysm did not alter the feature of migraine. Conclusions: The incidence of aneurysm was not different in migraine patients as compared to the general population. Some features which significantly differentiate whether migrainuers have aneurysm or not warrant further study to have a predictive and localizing value.

Small bowel capsule endoscopy (CE) was first introduced 15 years ago, and a large amount of literature has since been produced, focused on its indication, diagnostic yields, and safety. Guidelines that have made CE the primary diagnostic tool for small bowel disease have been created. Since its initial use in the small bowel, CE has been used for the esophagus, stomach, and colon. The primary indications for small bowel CE are obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, unexplained iron deficiency anemia, suspected Crohn's disease, small bowel tumors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug enteropathy, portal hypertensive enteropathy, celiac disease, etc. Colon CE provides an alternative to conventional colonoscopy, with possible use in colorectal cancer screening. Guidelines for optimal bowel preparation of CE have been suggested. The main challenges in CE are the development of new devices with the ability to provide therapy, air inflation for better visualization of the small bowel, biopsy sampling systems attached to the capsule, and the possibility of guiding and moving the capsule by an external motion controller. We review the current status and future directions of CE, and address all aspects of clinical practice, including the role of CE and long-term clinical outcomes.
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Biopsy ; Capsule Endoscopy* ; Celiac Disease ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Crohn Disease ; Esophagus ; Hemorrhage ; Inflation, Economic ; Intestine, Small ; Mass Screening ; Stomach

Desmoplastic malignant melanoma (DMM) is an uncommon variant of malignant melanoma featuring a proliferation of spindle cells with pronounced desmopaasia. DMM commonly occurs on the sun-damaged skin such as head and neck in older persons, and it can be associated with lentigo maligna. We report an unusual case of desmoplastic malignant melanoma that developed de novo on the trunk in a young patient.
Head ; Humans ; Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle ; Melanoma* ; Neck ; Skin

Herpes zoster involving noncontiguous dual dermatomes is very rare in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised persons. This unique presentation has been referred to as zoster duplex unilateralis or bilateralis, depending whether one or both halves of the body are involved. A 22-year-old woman, who had been treated for acute leukemia, congestive heart failure and chronic disseminated candidiasis, was referred to our department for painful papulovesicular eruptions on the right side of the anterior chest and upper back for 2 days, and the left buttock for 1 day. Tzanck smear revealed multinucleated giant cells with intranuclear inclusion bodies. We report a rare case of zoster duplex bilateralis.
Buttocks ; Candidiasis ; Female ; Giant Cells ; Heart Failure ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies ; Leukemia ; Thorax ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Capsule Endoscopy*

No abstract available.
Capsule Endoscopy*

No abstract available.
Leiomyoma*

Plexiform schwannoma is a relatively rare, benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor that can be located either in the deep soft tissues or in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue. This tumor may occur singly or as multiple lesions and may be localized to one anatomic site or diffusely distributed. Plexiform schwannoma should be differentiated with plexiform neurofibroma or other plexiform malignant tumors. We describe a case of a 6-year-old patient with multiple cutaneous plexiform schwannomas who had no other stigmata of neurofibromatosis 1 or family history suggesting a genetic disorder. The histopathological study revealed a tumor composed of multiple intradermal or subcutaneous interlacing and interconnecting fascicles and nodules that vary in size and shape. Characteristic Antoni A type cellular tissue showing frequent nuclear palisading and Verocay bodies were observed within well circumscribed elongated nodules.
Child ; Christianity ; Dermis ; Humans ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neurofibroma, Plexiform ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Peripheral Nerves ; Subcutaneous Tissue