Cryptococcosis is a disease caused by the Cryptococcus neoformans, occcuring most frequently in immunocompromised hosts. Cutaneous involvement is seen in 10-15 % of disseminated cases and its manifestation is variable. A 52 year old man presented with a subcutaneous neck mass and severe headache which had lasted for 2 months and 1 month respectively. Initially cutaneous involvement was monomorphic and localized and a CSF study failed to reveal any organisms. After several weeks of herb medication, however, multiple skin lesions occurred with varied morphology and a CSF study confirmed cryptococcosis by culture. The Urine cortisol was markedly elevated, suggesting an exogenous intake of steroid.
Cryptococcosis* ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; Headache ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Immunocompromised Host ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Skin

As anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFalpha) agents are progressively being used in various medical conditions, dermatological adverse events have been encountered more frequently. To understand such dermatological conditions that have been documented while undergoing anti-TNF therapy, we reviewed relevant literature, including case reports and case series. Reported dermatological conditions included infusion and injection site reaction, cutaneous infection, psoriasiform eruption, dermatitis, allergic rash, lupus-like lesion, vasculitis, lichenoid reaction, granulomatous reaction, hair loss, cutaneous infection, and cutaneous neoplasm. These events had varying strengths of causal association and severity therefore, drug discontinuation may or may not be required.
Dermatitis ; Exanthema ; Hair ; Necrosis* ; Vasculitis

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung*

Angiokeratoma of the vulva is a relatively rare, benign condition that usually presents as single or a few isolated papules mainly on the labia majora. It is histologically identical to angiokeratoma of the scrotum. A 50-year-old woman presented with a one year history of nonpruritic lesions on the vulva. Her skin lesions used to bleed vith subtle trauma. Several dark purplish papules, ranging in diameter from 3 to 5mm, were noticed on both labia majora. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of angiokeratoma. A simple electrodesiccation of all lesions was performed under local anesthesia. The patient has remained asymptomatic nd without recurrence for the follow-up period of 10 months without any recurrence.
Anesthesia, Local ; Angiokeratoma* ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Scrotum ; Skin ; Vulva*

Chronic actinic dermatitis is an uncommon, persistent, light induced eruption occurring mostly on exposed skin. It is eczematous or pseudolymphomatous in nature, probably representing delayed type hypersensitivity to endogerious photoallergens. It usually worsens in summer and affects elderly men. A 72-old-male was presented with a 14 month history of pruritic skin lesions. They were composed of waxy thickened scaly plaques of the face and dorsa of the hands, and depigmented patches of the neck, which worsened when exposed to sun light. We performed photo test and photopatch test. MED of UVA was lowered and the patch and photopatch test revealed only contact sensitivity to Balsam of Peru, perfume mix and fragrance mix. A biopsy specimen showed hyperkeratosis and spongiosis of the epidermis and perivascular lymphocytic and many eosinophilic infiltrations of the dermis. The patient was treated with systemic and topical corticosteroids with marked improvement.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermis ; Eosinophils ; Epidermis ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Male ; Neck ; Perfume ; Peru ; Photosensitivity Disorders* ; Skin ; Solar System

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune blistering skin diseases such as pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, bullous pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita substantially affect patients' daily life and psychosocial well-being. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in patients with autoimmune blistering diseases and to identify the factors that can influence their QOL by comparing them to healthy controls. METHODS: Forty patients with autoimmune blistering skin diseases and 40 healthy controls were interviewed using the Korean version of Skindex-29. The study assessed the clinical severity of the disease. RESULTS: The total, symptom, function, and emotion scores of Skindex-29 were significantly higher in patients with autoimmune blistering skin diseases (35.28, 40.78, 30.57, and 36.67, respectively) than in the healthy controls (6.90, 9.38, 5.47, and 6.60, respectively) (p<0.001). Higher disease severity had a negative correlation with QOL in patients with blistering skin diseases, and QOL was lower when patients had low levels of satisfaction with treatment. CONCLUSION: The results show that autoimmune blistering skin diseases can affect patients' QOL. In addition, disease severity and low satisfaction with treatment are important factors that reduce QOL. Development of new treatments should improve treatment efficacy and the QOL of patients with autoimmune blistering diseases.
Blister* ; Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita ; Humans ; Pemphigoid, Bullous ; Pemphigus ; Quality of Life* ; Skin Diseases* ; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous ; Treatment Outcome

Fasciitis can occur very rarely with sclerotic-type chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). A 54-year-old woman presented with painful skin tightness on upper and lower limb with limited range of movement. She was diagnosed with chronic myelocytic leukemia 5 years ago and underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Histopathologically, the interlobular septum of subcutis and fascia were remarkably thickened with fibrosis and moderate inflammatory infiltrates accompanying the dilated lymphatic channels with considerable leakage of lymph fluids. Herein, we report a case of extensive fasciitis as a manifestation of chronic GVHD associated with poor prognosis.
Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Fascia ; Fasciitis ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; Lower Extremity ; Prognosis ; Skin

PURPOSE: We wanted to determine whether inflammation and bacterial infection, as tested for by the traditional 4-glass test or Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging, correlate with the symptom severity in men with chronic prostatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 256 patients with symptoms of prostatitis. The Korean version of the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) was used to measure the symptoms of each patient. To diagnose bacterial infection, four-glass tests were performed that included culture for general bacteria, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum, and polymerase chain reaction was performed for Chlamydia trachomatis. The patients with established uropathogens localized to the expressed prostatic secretion or the voided urine 3 were classified as having chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). To further localize the infection, the single photon emission computerized tomography images were obtained 3 hours after intravenous injection of Tc-99m ciprofloxacin. Associations between the symptoms and the inflammation and infection were evaluated. RESULTS: Based on the 4-glass tests, the patients were classified as CBP (n=16) or as chronic pelvis pain syndrome (CCPS) (the inflammatory type, n=94; non-inflammatory type, n=146). The CBP patients had a higher pain score than did the CPPS patients and there were no significant differences in the subscores for voiding symptoms and the quality of life between the groups. No significant differences were found in the total score or the subscores of the NIH-CPSI based on the presence or location of infection on the Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that bacterial infection, not inflammation, as determined by traditional laboratory tests contribute to the symptoms, especially pain, in men with chronic prostatitis.
Bacteria ; Bacterial Infections* ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; Ciprofloxacin* ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Mycoplasma hominis ; Pelvic Pain ; Pelvis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prostatitis* ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Ureaplasma urealyticum

Midtrimester genetic amniocentesis is an important diagnostic tool in prenatal genetic diagnosis and counseling. We can identify karyotypes with metaphase chromosome analysis of cultured amniocytes. Marker chromosomes are defined as unidentified structurally abnormal chromosomes. Incidence of marker chromosomes in the previous reported studies was 0.6-1.5/1,000. They occurred more frequently with advanced maternal age. Ascertainment of chromosomal origin is important because it may be associated with malformation and developmental abnormalities. Recently, identification of the origin and composition of marker chromosomes has been made possible by the use of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Most marker chromosomes are known to be originated from chromosome 15 or 22, X, Y. We have experienced a case of non-15, non-22 marker chromosome prenatally detected in amniocentesis and FISH, so we reported it with a brief review of literature.
Amniocentesis ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15 ; Counseling ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Incidence ; Karyotype ; Maternal Age ; Metaphase ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second