To understand the role of Transglutaminase K(TGase K) in skin diseases, the expression of TGase K protein was studied in hyperkeratotic inflammatory skin diseases, and in several different kinds of benign and malignant skin tumors. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the TGase K protein with a new anti-human TGase K polyclonal antibody. This antibody showed the same immuno- histochemical staining pattern as in previously published immunofluorescence data with the exception that the immunohistochemical stain showed a slightly weaker stain in the granular layer. However, the staining intensity was decreased in psoriasis, which is opposite for results obtained with the widely used TGase K monoclonal antibody B.C1. In other hyperkeratotic inflammatory skin diseases, like pityriasis rubra pilaria, lichen planus, and pityriasis rosea, the staining patterns were similar while the staining intensity was decreased, compared to normal epidermis. Squamous cell carcinoma showed a diffuse staining pattern in tumor cells with a small intensity increase in well differentiated tumor cells. However, in actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease, which are thought to be precursors of squamous cell carcinoma, the staining intensity was weak. The tumor cells of basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and seborrheic keratosis showed a weak staining intensity.
Bowen's Disease ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Epidermis ; External Fixators ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratosis, Actinic ; Keratosis, Seborrheic ; Lichen Planus ; Melanoma ; Pityriasis ; Pityriasis Rosea ; Psoriasis ; Skin Diseases* ; Skin*

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary disorder characterized by loss of melanocytes from the epidermis. Autografting using the suction blistered epidermis technique is one of the surgical modalities of vitiligo treatment, and has been successfully used by several authots. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the autografting using the suction blistered epidermis technique for the treatment of vitiligo. METHODS: 142 sites from 39 patients with vitiligo were treated with autografting using the suction blistered epidermis technique. The recipient sites were prepared by freezing with liquid nitrogen of the sites 48 hours prior to grafting. RESULTS: Better results were seen in cases with the following Factors: a) cases where the disease had been present for more than 3 years b) the post-operative period had been Longer than a year c) the Lesional sites of the vitiligo were on the trunk and neck rather than the neck and extremities d) the vitiligo had affected the grabous rather than the hairy areas on the face. However, there were no differences between the clinical types(such as generalized, localized, and segmental) in the success rate of treatment. Preopera'tive PUVA or post operative PUVA also did not affect the statistical results. CONCLUSION: On autografting using the suction blistered epidermis, it is better to select the patients who have had the disease for more than 3 years, and graft the epidermis which has increased melanocytes by preoperative PUVA for good treatment results and even pigmentation.
Autografts* ; Blister* ; Epidermis* ; Extremities ; Freezing ; Humans ; Melanocytes ; Neck ; Nitrogen ; Pigmentation ; Suction* ; Transplantation, Autologous* ; Transplants ; Vitiligo*

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine can be useful in dermatology in which there is a physical barrier between the dermatologist and patient or primary care giver. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose of this study is to examine a usefulness of teledermatology system in Korean situation. METHODS: We made store-and forward teledermatology system on world wide web for it's usefulness. We examined the difference of diagnostic accuracy, level of certainty, and quality of images of photographs and still digital images. RESULTS: The merits of our teledermatology system are summarized as follows1. It has more diagnostic accuracy than classic store-and forward system. 2. The real-time additional history taking and request of laboratory examinations are possible by chatting system between dermatologist and primary care giver. 3. Patient follow-up is easier than store-and forward system. The difference of diagnostic accuracy, level of certainty, and quality of images of photographs and still digital images are summarized as follows. 1. There is no difference of diagnostic accuracy between photographic readers and digital image readers. 2. There is no difference of level of certainty between photographic readers and digital image readers. 3. In assesment of quality of photographs, no difference was founded between photographic readers and digital image readers 4. The satisfaction of quality of photographs is very high in all groups. The average is 97.5%. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that our teledermatology system is useful in korean situation and still digital image can substitute historic photographs in teledermatology.
Dermatology* ; Equidae ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internet ; Primary Health Care ; Telemedicine*

BACKGROUND: Granuloma annulare is a chronic inflammatory condition of unknown cause. There are only two clinicopathologic studies in Korea. OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to investigate the clinicopathologic findings of granuloma annulare and literature review. METHODS: Twenty two biopsy-proved cases of granuloma annulare were reviewed. We examined their clinical and pathological findings. RESULTS: The incidence showed a peak under 20 years old(59.1%) and females affected twice as much as males. Average onset years was 21.5 years old and mean disease duration was 20 months. The lesions were located almost in dermis(77.2%) and interstitial infiltration type was most common. CONCLUSION:There were no large epidemiologic difference from previously reported studies. Granuloma annulare is not an uncommon disease. It is important to distinguish granuloma annulare from many other mucin producing, granuloma forming diseases.
Female ; Granuloma Annulare* ; Granuloma* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Mucins

A 33-year-old male patient had malignant atrophic papulosis that affected the skin and intestinal tract and probably respiratory system. He had multiple typical skin lesion with porcelain-white atrophic scars on the whole body surface area except on face, palm and sole. And he had been operated two times due to intestinal perforation after onset. Multiple whitish necrotic patches were found in small and large intestine during laparotomy. Also he had a plueral effusion. Histopathologic studies showed atrophic epidermis and dermal necrosis, vascular change, mucin deposition in lower dermis. He was treated with acetyl salicylic acid and dipyridamole, but there was no improve-ment. He died of intestinal perforation and respiratory failure 67 months after onset(6 months after onset of abdominal symptom).
Adult ; Body Surface Area ; Cicatrix ; Dermis ; Dipyridamole ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation ; Intestine, Large ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Malignant Atrophic Papulosis* ; Mucins ; Necrosis ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Respiratory System ; Salicylic Acid ; Skin*