BACKGROUND: Reticulum fibers represent a special type of thin collagen fiber that measures from 0.2 to 1.0 micrometer in diameter. A reticulum stain is currently used for diagnosing liver cirrhosis, chemodectoma, differentials of lymphoid tissue tumors and vascular tumors. In particular, it has been used for diagnosing sarcoidosis in the field of dermatology. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to ascertain whether reticulum fibers appeared when diseases showing granulomatous reaction were stained with a reticulum stain. METHODS: Patients who had been clinically or histopathologically diagnosed as having a granulomatous disease were used in this study. Granulomatous diseases included: sarcoidosis, leprosy, skin tuberculosis, lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei, granuloma annulare, paraffinoma, silicon granuloma or foreign body granuloma. A patient without a graunlomatous disease was used as the control. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and reticulum staining using Gomori's silver impregnation method were performed in all cases. RESULTS: A reticulum stain revealed a network of reticulum fibers surrounding and permeating the granulomas of various forms in patients with a granulomatous disease, although it was less abundant in sarcoidosis. CONCLUSION: We concluded that reticulum fibers appear in all granulomatous diseases.
Collagen ; Dermatology ; Granuloma ; Granuloma Annulare ; Granuloma, Foreign-Body ; Humans ; Leprosy ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal ; Reticulum* ; Sarcoidosis ; Silicones ; Silver ; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous

BACKGROUND: The clinical behavior of vitiligo has not been clearly understood and hypothesis concerning the pathogenesis of the disease has been confusing and contradictory though autoimmune mechanisms have been considered important by many authors. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a better understanding of the clinical features and pathogenesis of vitiligo. METHODS: We investigated clinical features of vitiligo in 1315 patients, and also compared the clinical course and features of non-segmental type(type A) and segmental type(type B) vitiligo patients to see whether the two types of vitiligo have a different pathogenic mechanism. RESULTS: Previously reported clinical patterns of the disease were reviewed and compared with our data, and the different clinical findings between the two types which supported the hypothesis of Koga et al. that type A and type B vitiligo had a different pathogenesis and autoimmune mechanisms played a role only in type A were shown. CONCLUSION: We investigated the clinical characteristics of vitiligo in Korea and showed that the type A vitiligo might have a different pathogenic mechanism with type B.
Clinical Study* ; Humans ; Korea ; Vitiligo*

PURPOSE: The cause and pathogenesis of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in elderly men is unclear. We analyzed the clinical and urodynamic findings of elderly patients with LUTS to search for accurate diagnosis and effective treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 154 male patients older than 65 years old with LUTS who underwent urodynamic studies between January 2002 and December 2008. The patients were divided into irritative and obstructive symptom groups according to their chief complaints. The urodynamic findings between two groups were compared. And the prevalence of detrusor dysfunction (either detrusor underactivity; DU or detrusor overactivity; DO) according to age, history of urinary retention, the presence of an indwelling urethral catheter, neurologic disease, or diabetes was estimated. RESULTS: The mean age of men was 70.8+/-4.5 years. On urodynamics, detrusor dysfunction was detected in 116 (75.4%) of 154 patients. Seventy eight (50.6%) patients showed demonstrable evidence of DU of whom 33 (21.4%) had concomitant DO, while 18 (11.7%) had concomitant bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). BOO and DO was identified in 67 (43.5%) and 71 (46.1%) patients, respectively. The prevalence of was significantly greater in the presence of history of acute urinary retention and an indwelling urethral catheter. CONCLUSION: One hundred forty one (91.6%) elderly patients with LUTS showed urodynamic abnormalities such DO, DU and BOO. Urodynamic study would play a important role in establishing a correct diagnosis in elderly patients with LUTS and deciding on additional treatments.
Aged ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms* ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; Urinary Catheters ; Urinary Retention ; Urinary Tract ; Urodynamics*

BACKGROUND: Chicken Pox, a highly contagious exanthem that occurs most frequently in childhood, is the result of primary infection with varicella zoster virus. Although it is generally a benign, self-limiting disease, varicella zoster virus infection may be associated with serious complications, especially in older adults. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and histopathologic features of varicella in adolescents and adults. METHOD: 57 patients who were admitted with varicella as adolescents or adults during a 20-year period from 1985 to 2004 were evaluated in regard to age, sex, monthly incidence, prodromal symptoms, and cutaneous manifestations. Patients were further assessed over abnormalities of laboratory tests, associated diseases, or histopathologic features. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1. Varicella was seen most frequently in the 20~29 year-old group (47%), followed by the 10~19 year-old group (30%). The ratio of males to females was 1.36: 1. As a result of calculating the average age in five-year peroids from 1985 to 2004, the average age in the last period (2000-2004) was 29.2 +/- 7.0 years. This was found to be higher than in the other 5-year periods. 2. With regard to monthly occurrence, varicella was found to be most prevalant in May (21%). 3. The most common prodromal symptom was fever (74%), followed by a sore throat (32%) and headache (30%). 4. Common cutaneous manifestations of varicella were papules (84%), vesicles (79%) and typical umbilicated vesicles (65%). Pruritus (96%) was an extremely common symptom. 5. The most common laboratory abnormality was an abnormal liver function (28%). 6. Associated diseases of varicella were observed in 6 patients (10%). These included hepatitis or the hepatitis B virus carrier (5%), diabetes mellitus (2%), pulmonary tuberculosis (2%), and ulcerative colitis (2%). 7. Complications of varicella were 1 case (2%) of keratitis and 1 case (2%) of secondary infection. 8. In 7 cases of varicella stained with hematoxylin-eosin, all cases showed necrosis of keratinocytes and ballooning degeneration, and 5 cases had severe inflammatory infiltrations. Intra-epithelial vesicles were found in 6 cases, and multinucleated giant cells were found in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: The mean age of varicella patients showed an increase in the last 5-year period. In adolescents and adults with varicella, we recommend that patients should be evaluated for abnormalities of liver function.
Adolescent* ; Adult* ; Chickenpox* ; Chickens* ; Coinfection ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Giant Cells ; Headache ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B virus ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Incidence ; Keratinocytes ; Keratitis ; Liver ; Male ; Necrosis ; Pharyngitis ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Pruritus ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: Exposure to Rhus (Japanese lacquer) can cause many adverse effects such as contact dermatitis, pruritus, rash and even hepatitis in human, and these effects can be caused by contact or ingestion of Japanese lacquer. Many Koreans currently eat Japanese lacquer boiled with chicken although it has many side effects. Koreans believe that Rhus will improve their health. However, they don't known its adverse effects, and there is no experimental report on this topic. OBJECTIVE: The principle objective of this study was to gather evidence on the toxicity and negative effects of Japanese lacquer through an experimental study with rats. METHODS: A total of 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were included in the study; 30 rats (experimental group) were given 0.1 ml of Japanese lacquer sap extract, water and food, and 30 rats (control group) were given only food and water. The WBC, the Hgb, ALT, AST, BUN and creatinine levels, the presence of pruritis and skin eruption, the skin biopsy findings and the liver biopsy findings were all checked at 5, 10, and 15 days. RESULTS: The rats that were given Japanese lacquer sap showed a higher WBC and higher ALT and AST levels and only these rats demonstrated erythroderma (5th day: 30%, 10th day: 40%, 15th day: 70%). In addition, they exhibited frequently scratching behavior. On histological examination of the skin of the rats given Rhus, dermal edema and mild inflammatory cell infiltration were found. On histological examination of the liver of the rats given Rhus, there was no significant change as compared with the rats that weren't given lacquer. CONCLUSION: In this experimental study, it was proven that Rhus could induce pruritis, erythroderma, skin inflammation and hepatotoxicity.
Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biopsy ; Chickens ; Creatinine ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatitis, Exfoliative ; Eating ; Edema ; Exanthema ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lacquer ; Liver ; Pruritus ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhus ; Skin ; Water

No abstract available.
Alopecia ; Humans ; Male

We report an extremely specific case of Pendred's syndrome, originally described with an association of thyroid organification defect and hearing impairment; normal-sized thyroid, severe hypothyroidism manifested by profoundly retarded physical and mental development, cardiomegaly and severe hypochromic & microcytic anemia associated with asymmetrical septal hypertrophy.
Adolescent* ; Anemia* ; Cardiomegaly ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Hypertrophy* ; Hypothyroidism ; Thyroid Gland

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to calculate the operating characteristics of narrowband imaging (NBI) cystoscopy versus traditional white light cystoscopy (WLC) in common clinical scenarios involving suspicion of bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients initially underwent WLC and then NBI in a single session for evaluation of microscopic hematuria (group I, n=20), gross hematuria (group II, n=19), and follow-up for prior UC (group III, n=24), by an experienced urologist. All lesions that were abnormal in contrast with adjacent normal mucosa were diagnosed as positive and biopsied. RESULTS: Sixty-six biopsies from 47 patients were performed. Pathologic examination showed 17 cases of UC from 21 sites. While the overall sensitivity of NBI was similar to that of WLC (100% vs. 94.1%), the specificity of NBI was significantly lower than that of WLC (50% vs. 86.9%, p < 0.001), particularly in group III (38.9% vs. 88.9%, p=0.004). Based on identification by NBI only, 23 additional biopsies from 18 cases were performed for identification of one patient with UC, who belonged to group III. In this group, to identify this specific patient, 15 additional biopsies were performed from 10 patients. All seven cases with positive findings from NBI within 2 months after the last intravesical therapy were histologically proven as negative. CONCLUSION: In evaluation for recurrence early after intravesical instillation, the decision based on NBI increased unnecessary biopsy in the absence of an established standard for judging NBI.
Administration, Intravesical* ; Biopsy* ; Cystoscopy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Narrow Band Imaging* ; Recurrence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder*

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in energy and macronutrient intakes during the premenstrual(days -10-1) and postmenstrual(days 5-14) phases. Thirty-two college female students recorded their food consumption and dietary patterns over 5 weeks from September 8 to October 12, 1997. Mean daily energy and macronutrient intakes and the percentage of energy intake from protein and carbohydrate were relatively consstant over the two menstrual cycle phases, but the energy intake from fat increased 1%(P<0.05)during the postmenstrual phase. Two different dietary patterns were identified by the shifts in energy intake between postmenstrual and premenstrual phases. Seventy five percent of subjects revealed a consistent pattern with the results of previous studies investigating food intake over the menstrual cycle, in which the premenstrual phase is associated with an increment in energy, carbohydrate, and protein intake. Incontrast, energy, protein, and fat intakes increased during the postmenstrual phase in 25% of the subjects. We conclude that cyclical fluctuations in energy and macronutrient intakes occur in both postmenstrual and premenstrual dietary pattern groups across the two menstrual phased with the opposite directions.
Eating ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Humans ; Menstrual Cycle*

A 32-year-old woman had a brownish hard plaque with localized hypertrichosis. She had fallen down some stairs 1 year previously, and the injury had left a scar on her right shin. Even though pain and the scar had gone, the brown patch had remained. During that time hair had been grown on the site. Histologic examination showed lobular panniculitis, fat necrosis, fibrotic change and lipomembranous change. We diagnosed the patient as a traumatic panniculitis with localized hypertrichosis, based on the trauma history, skin lesion and histologic findings. We report a case of traumatic panniculitis with localized hypertrichosis.
Adult ; Cicatrix ; Fat Necrosis ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Hypertrichosis ; Panniculitis ; Skin