No abstract available.
Granuloma ; Graphite ; Melanoma

For allergists, itch is the most important symptom of atopic dermatitis (AD), and at the same time, the most difficult-to-manage complaint of atopic patient. Rather than just one symptom of AD, itch has more profound clinical significance in the following sense: itch, as a key component of so-called 'itch-scratch' vicious-cycle, plays a central role in the development and persistence of AD, thus, treating itch is not just alleviating one symptom of AD, but stopping genesis and progress of AD. In other words, itch is AD in itself. Pathomechanism underlying development of itch in AD could be summarized as follows: First, exogenous triggering factors penetrate impaired barrier, leading to allergic skin inflammation. Resulting characteristic itch of AD is amplified through the 'itch --> scratch --> inflammation --> (again) --> itch -->...' vicious-cycle. Thus, pathomechanism-based management strategy could be provided accordingly-avoidance of triggering factor, repair of impaired barrier, control of skin inflammation, and decreasing desire for itch/scratch. Among them, controlling inflammation is thought to be most effective measure based on the clinical experiences, for skin inflammation, as one of key components in 'itch-scratch-inflammation' vicious-cycle, at the same time, is a crucial connecting link between OUTSIDE and INSIDE. However, individualized approach should be taken for patient per se. Finally, following topics may be future topics for doctors always hungry for new weapon against AD and patients suffering from this out-of-place (a-top-y) disease: central itch pathway-emerging new hero; neural sensitization - still in the Dark-Ages in terms of diagnosis and management; and scratch-just in its infancy.
Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Skin

Although the dermoscopy had very long history since its introduction in 17th century, only recently it has been possible to see the widespread application of dermoscopy in the dermatology clinic. One of the most promising areas where the dermoscopy can be applied is the diagnosis of skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma. Due to its inherent limitation to obtain in-depth information—literally, from more than skin-deep and more importantly, from microscopic structures—of skin cancers, dermoscopy cannot replace the present gold-standard ‘biopsy’ in the diagnosis of skin cancer. However, several advantages of dermoscopy over biopsy merit further considerations. For example, as a non-invasive tool, dermoscopy is best suited for the follow-up of suspicious skin lesions, and as an all-at-a-glance tool, dermoscopy can aid the selection of the best biopsy-site to obtain the most meaningful pathological information from the minimal tissue specimen. There goes a saying that ‘it takes two to tango,’ similarly, we might need the two (biopsy and dermoscopy) to cope rhythmically with the varying tempos of ever-progressing skin tumorigenesis and to reveal the true face of skin cancers usually hidden in various disguises.
Biopsy ; Carcinogenesis ; Dermatology ; Dermoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Melanoma ; Skin Neoplasms ; Skin

Although the dermoscopy had very long history since its introduction in 17th century, only recently it has been possible to see the widespread application of dermoscopy in the dermatology clinic. One of the most promising areas where the dermoscopy can be applied is the diagnosis of skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma. Due to its inherent limitation to obtain in-depth information—literally, from more than skin-deep and more importantly, from microscopic structures—of skin cancers, dermoscopy cannot replace the present gold-standard ‘biopsy’ in the diagnosis of skin cancer. However, several advantages of dermoscopy over biopsy merit further considerations. For example, as a non-invasive tool, dermoscopy is best suited for the follow-up of suspicious skin lesions, and as an all-at-a-glance tool, dermoscopy can aid the selection of the best biopsy-site to obtain the most meaningful pathological information from the minimal tissue specimen. There goes a saying that ‘it takes two to tango,’ similarly, we might need the two (biopsy and dermoscopy) to cope rhythmically with the varying tempos of ever-progressing skin tumorigenesis and to reveal the true face of skin cancers usually hidden in various disguises.

Prurigo pigmentosa - a rare dermatosis described first by Nagashima in 1971 - presents as intensely pruritic papules arranged in a reticular pattern and distributed symmetrically on the back of young women. Individual lesions involute within weeks, leaving net-like pigmentation, but recurrences are the rule. According to the recent report of Ackerman et al., prurigo pigmentosa shows discernable characteristic histopathologic stages successively in its natural course. We report two cases of prurigo pigmentosa with clinico-histopathologic analysis - one, occurred in 24-year old man who recovered spontaneously after 7 months of morbidity and the other, occurred in 23-year old woman who responded dramatically to dapsone.
Female ; Male ; Humans

Cylindroma is an adnexal tumor which is mostly observed on the scalp. It usually occurs as a solitary lesion rather than multiple lesions. Histopathologically, the tumor is composed of numerous islands of basaloid cells which fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle with surrounding hyaline sheaths. In Korea, there have been two reports of solitary cylindroma in the dermatologic literature, but no report of multiple cylindromas. We herein report a case of multiple cylindromas. A 34-year-old woman presented with three erythematous papules on her scalp, which developed four to five years before. Histopathologic findings on all papules revealed the typical appearance of cylindroma.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic* ; Female ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Islands ; Korea ; Scalp

No abstract available.
Dermatitis* ; Metronidazole* ; Tacrolimus*

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is regarded as an immune-complex mediated vasculitis and can present as extrahepatic manifestation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. When treating HBV-associated PAN with immunosuppressive agent such as systemic steroid, the possibility of viral reactivation should be kept in mind and eagerly checked. Herein we report a case of HBV-associated cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa and its treatment outcome with combination therapy of steroid and antiviral agent, lamivudine for 6 weeks. Our experience suggests that more clinical data should be collected to determine the proper indication and end-point of antiviral therapy in chronic HBV carriers who receive immunosuppressant therapy.
Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Lamivudine ; Polyarteritis Nodosa* ; Treatment Outcome ; Vasculitis