Segmental vitiligo is considered to be characterized by unilateral depigmented patches along dermatomes, but we found two cases of segmental vitiligo in which the vitiligo lesions appeared bilaterally on the same or different dermatomes. The clinical course of bilateral segmental vitiligo seems to be the same as that of unilateral segmental vitiligo.
Vitiligo*

Vitiligo is a relatively common depigmentary disorder occurring in approximately 1-2% of the general population. All races are affected. Both sexes are likely to be affected equally; the female prevalence in some studies can probably be attributed to cosmetic reasons. It can occur and spread at any stage of life and is often associated with a positive family history. Up to 30 percent of patients have reported vitiligo in another family member. The lesion is characterized by discrete, pale-white macules, few or several in number, which tend to enlarge centrifugally over time. It is not contagious, nor is it a serious health problem. However, it can be troublesome in brown and black people as well as in white persons who tan deeply (skin phototype IV), and often leads to social embarrassment and psychological turmoil.
Continental Population Groups ; Female ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Triacetoneamine-N-Oxyl ; Vitiligo*

BACKGROUND: Nevus depigmentosus was first reported in 1884 by Lesser. It is defined as a congenital non-progressive hypopigmented macule or patch that is stable in its relative size and distribution throughout the life of the individual. The etiopathogenesis and histopathological characteristics of nevus depigmentosus are not fully established. OBJECT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical and histopathological characteristics and pathogenesis of nevus depigmentosus. METHODS: Clinieal survey was carried out on forty-nine patients with nevus depigmentosus and two skin biopsies were taken from eighteen patients; from the central part of the depigmented lesion and the border of the lesion including the perilesional normal skin. The sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Fontana-Masson and S-100 protein. The ultrastructural evaluation were also done to detect alternation of melanocytes. RESULTS: The results are as follows ; 1. The lesions were mostly (91.8%) present before the age of three, but some lesions appeared in childhood (8.2%). 2. The lesions were most frequently found on the trunk (42.9%), followed by the face and scalp (20.4%). 3. There were 33 patients (67.3%) with the isolated type, 15 patients (30.6%) with the dermatomal type and one patient with the whorled type. 4. Histopathological studies have shown that the stainability of Fontana-Masson in the lesions of nevus depigmentosus was decreased compared with perilesional nomal skin, but there were no changes in the number of melanocytes. 5. There was a great reduction in the number of melanosomes in melanocytes and keratinocytes of nevus depigmentosus. In keratinocytes, there was some aggregations of melanosomes and some of them showed membrane bound architecture. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the fact that nevus depigmentosus is caused by functional defects of melanocytes and morphological abnonnalities of melanosomes.
Biopsy ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Melanocytes ; Melanosomes ; Membranes ; Nevus* ; S100 Proteins ; Scalp ; Skin

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Shigella* ; Vaginitis*

Sjogren's syndrome has been considered to be an autoimmune disease affecting various organs including salivary and lacrimal glands. It occurs most commonly in middle-aged women, and less than 20 cases with primary Sjogren's syndrome have been reported in children. An 11-yim-old boy presented with recurrent annular erythema on the face that had been present for 2 years. A schirmers test showed a positive result. ANA was detected at a dilution of 1:640. Anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies were also detected. On histological examination, lymphocytes were infiltrated in the periappendegeal areas as well as the papillary and reticular dernis. The skin findimg is uncommon in children, but has become a characteristic feature of childhood Sjogrens syndrome with anti-Ro and/or anti-La antibodies.
Antibodies ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Child ; Erythema* ; Female ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Sjogren's Syndrome* ; Skin

Recent advances in cell culture and tissue engineering permit the successful treatment of deep articular defects with autologous chondrocyte transplantation. While chondrocyte culturing from articular cartilage is commonplace, in vitro growth of chondrocytes from temporomandibular joint fibrocartilage has not been defined. Likewise, the concept of autologous chondrocyte transplantation has not been applied to the temporomandibular joint. Since fibrocartilage differs structurally and functionally from articular cartilage, an effective culturing method for this tissue is essential as well. The ultimate goal of this project is to enable the use of autologous temporomandibular joint chondrocyte transplantation for the regeneration of damaged or missing components of the joint. The aim of this pilot study is to develop an effective cell culturing technique for chondrocytes harvested from the temporomandibular joint disc of dogs. Cartilage of the temporomandibular joint disc of drug-free mongrel dogs was dissected, dissociated, and centrifuged for chondrocyte collection. Blood specimen was collected from the same animal to produce the autologous serum. Chondrocytes were then dispersed in 24-well plates and incubated in one of four media, DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium), Ham's F-12, DMEM/F-12, or Iscove's MDM(modified Dulbecco's medium). Each medium was also mixed with either 10% fetal bovine serum or 10% autologous serum. Temporomandibular joint disc chondrocytic proliferation was tested in all the culture media with sera on the fifth day. The initial plating count was held constant throughout at 1 x 10(4) cells/well and eight samples were evaluated in each culture. The results demonstrated that fetal bovine serum worked much better than autologous serum in all evaluated media and that DMEM/F-12 mixed with 10% fetal bovine serum was the most optimal culture condition for expansion of temporomandibular joint disc chondrocytes.
Animals ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Chondrocytes ; Culture Media ; Dogs ; Fibrocartilage ; Joints ; Pilot Projects ; Regeneration ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc* ; Temporomandibular Joint* ; Tissue Engineering

Microvascular anastomosis has become an essential technique in reconstructive surgery. A lot of techniques have been developed to improve patency rate and reduce operation time. But interrupted suture technique is still most widely used because of limited indication and inconvenience of other methods. A comparative study was undertaken to evaluate new microvasular anastomosis technique using fibrin glue. In this report 40 femoral arteries of Sprague-Dawley rats were anastomosed by utilizing four stay sutures which were placed 90 degrees apart and the intervals covered with fibrin glue, and by conventional eight suture method served as control. The patency rate(immediate postoperative, postoperative two weeks), time needed for vascular anastomosis, and microscopic evaluation were compared to those of conventional microvascular suture technique. Postoperative patency rate was 100% and 85% by fibrin glue technique compared to 100% and 90% by conventional technique at immediate postoperative and postoperative two weeks. Less time consumed with fibrin glue technique by 16 minutes compared to conventional technique by 21 minutes. Microscopically reendothelization was complete with smooth and less injured inner lining and also less inflammatory response by fibrin glue technique compared to conventional technique.
Femoral Artery ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive* ; Fibrin* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Suture Techniques ; Sutures

No abstract available.
Child* ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome* ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the clinical features of amniotic fluid embolism confirmed by autopsy or clinical dicision for making a plan of rapid diagnosis and intensive emergency care. STUDY DESIGN: We experienced 2 clincal cases in Ewha Mokdong Hospital and Severance Hospital at 1995, and reviewed the medical record & autopsy report of 15 cases in National Institute of Scientific Investigation from Jan, 1991 to Dec, 1995. RESULTS: The mean maternal age was 31+/-3 years. The mean gestational age was 40+/-1 weeks. The number of delivery were 1.4+/-0.8. The number of abortion history. were 2.6+/-2. The sexuality of fetus were six males (35 %), five females (29%), and unknown six cases (35 %) and the fetal mortality rate was 29 % (5 cases). The initial clinical symptoms and signs were hypotension (12 patients, 71%), vaginal bleeding(ll patients, 65%), cardiac arrest (6 patients, 35 %), dyspnea (5 patients, 29 %), and seizure (2 patients, 12%). In the case of normal spontaneous vaginal delivary (NSVD), the symptoms occurred during induction in 3 (18%), during delivery in 1 (6%), and after delivery in 9 (53%). In the case of Cesarean section, the symptoms occurred during section in 2 (12%), and after section in 1 (6%). There are one case whose symptoms occurred during 3rd gestational period. CONCLUSIONS: We should alert for the amniotic fluid embolism in the clinical findings of acute collapse and vaginal bleeding, respiratory symptoms, and seizure at any peripartum. With eary suspicion of this disease and aggressive intensive care we can reduce amniotic fluid embolism mortality rate and it's legal problem.
Abortion, Induced ; Amniotic Fluid* ; Autopsy ; Cesarean Section ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Embolism, Amniotic Fluid* ; Emergency Medical Services ; Female ; Fetal Mortality ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Critical Care ; Male ; Maternal Age ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Peripartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Seizures ; Sexuality ; Uterine Hemorrhage

No abstract available.
Nerve Regeneration*