Polymorphic pemphigoid is a polymorphic variant of bullous pemphigoid. Tbe authors had observed a case of polymorphic pemphigoid in a 54-year-ald woman, in whom generalized chronic blistering lesions and aevere pruritus were the main symptoms. The diagnosis of polymorphic pemphigoid was based on clinical, histopa.thological, immunopathological and therapeutic features.
Blister ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Pemphigoid, Bullous* ; Pruritus

No abstract available.
Manganese*

Proliferative activity of a malignant tumor is known to reflect its biological aggressiveness. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a marker of cellular proliferation, and silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) have been shown to correlate with ploidy and proliferative activity of cells. In transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis, the prognostic value of these markers has not been well defined. We studied PCNA expression and the AgNORs count in 22 transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis to assess their prognostic significance compared with their cumulative survival rate, the stage of disease and histopathologic features of the tumors. An immunohistochemical method and a standard colloidal silver staining were used. The mean percentage of PCNA positivity (PCNA index) and the mean number of AgNORs per nucleus (AgNORs score) were determined. In a multivariable analysis, PCNA indexes were significantly associated with tumor stage (p=0.024), whereas AgNORs scores were not significantly associated with the stage or histopatholgic features of the tumors. Histologic grade was correlated to disease stage at a significant level (p=0.000). But there was a trend of low tumor PCNA-indices or AgNORs counts with survival advantage for patients, but this did not reach statistical significance. The results suggest that the fraction of PCNA positive nuclei would be useful for investigating the malignant potential of renal pelvic cancers, although their clinical use as markers of biologic behavior may be limited.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Cell Proliferation ; Colloids ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Pelvis* ; Nucleolus Organizer Region ; Pelvic Neoplasms ; Ploidies ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen* ; Silver Staining ; Survival Rate

A 25-year-old man had been intermittently treated with topical steroid ointment for his eczematous lesions on the scrotum. One year later, a few hard nontender nodules were found with surrounding thickened lichenified skin on the previous lesions. Histopathologic examination of the skin revealed moderate acanthosis of the epidermis and multiple scattered calcified materials in the upper demis and within the hair follicle. We present this case, being considered a dystrophic calcinosis cutis due to local injury.
Adult ; Calcinosis* ; Epidermis ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid* ; Scrotum ; Skin

No abstract available.
Nevus, Pigmented*

This study was designed to evaluate the potential applicability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of acute renal vein thrombosis. Renal vein thrombosis was experimentally induced by surgical ligation of the left renal vein in a total of 21 rabbits. MRI was performed with a 0.5 Tesla superconductive magnetic system. Spin echo technique was used with varying TR and TE parameters. Spin echo images of the rabbit kidney were analysed for morphology and signal intensity. T1 and T2 relaxation times of the renal cortex and medulla were calculated from the images. After venous ligation, kidneys became enlarged. Low signal band along the outer medulla in T2 weighted images were characteristically shown from 1 hour to 3 days after ligation, Changes of cortex to medullar contrast (CMC) values were significant (p<0.05) in T1 - and T2- weighted images of the ligated side. T1 and T2 relaxation times were significantly prolonged (p<0.05) on the ligated side, both in the cortex and medulla from 1 hour to 2 weeks after the ligation, while T2 relaxation time on the contralateral side was significantly prolonged both in the cortex and medulla 2 weeks after venous ligation. The most useful MRI criteria for the diagnosis of renal vein thrombosis were enlarged renal size, and the low signal band along the outer medulla of ligated kidney. The relative intensity difference between cortex and medulla (CMC) in T1-and T2-weighted images, and T1 and T2 relaxation times were suggested to be the useful MR parameters for the diagnosis of acute renal vein thrombosis.
Diagnosis ; Kidney* ; Ligation* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Rabbits ; Relaxation ; Renal Veins* ; Thrombosis

This study was designed to evaluate the potential applicability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of acute renal vein thrombosis. Renal vein thrombosis was experimentally induced by surgical ligation of the left renal vein in a total of 21 rabbits. MRI was performed with a 0.5 Tesla superconductive magnetic system. Spin echo technique was used with varying TR and TE parameters. Spin echo images of the rabbit kidney were analysed for morphology and signal intensity. T1 and T2 relaxation times of the renal cortex and medulla were calculated from the images. After venous ligation, kidneys became enlarged. Low signal band along the outer medulla in T2 weighted images were characteristically shown from 1 hour to 3 days after ligation, Changes of cortex to medullar contrast (CMC) values were significant (p<0.05) in T1 - and T2- weighted images of the ligated side. T1 and T2 relaxation times were significantly prolonged (p<0.05) on the ligated side, both in the cortex and medulla from 1 hour to 2 weeks after the ligation, while T2 relaxation time on the contralateral side was significantly prolonged both in the cortex and medulla 2 weeks after venous ligation. The most useful MRI criteria for the diagnosis of renal vein thrombosis were enlarged renal size, and the low signal band along the outer medulla of ligated kidney. The relative intensity difference between cortex and medulla (CMC) in T1-and T2-weighted images, and T1 and T2 relaxation times were suggested to be the useful MR parameters for the diagnosis of acute renal vein thrombosis.
Diagnosis ; Kidney* ; Ligation* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Rabbits ; Relaxation ; Renal Veins* ; Thrombosis

BACKGROUND: Decreased heart rate variability(HRV) has been shown to be an independent predictor of poor outcome after acute myocardial infarction, Spectral analysis of HRV has recently been shown to be a reliable noninvasive test for quantiative assessment of cardiovascular autonomic regulatory response. We estimated the reproducibility and circadian rhythm of HRV parameters in patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Three consecutive 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings were made in 24 patients with acute myocardial infarction, with 10~14 days after the acute attack, and analyzed for HRV parameters of both frequency and time domains. Parameters of frequency domain include low frequency(LF) and high frequency(HF) components. Parameters of time domain include sdRR, SDANN, SD, pNN50, rMSSD, HRV index. RESULTS: Mean total, low frequency and high frequency amplitude spectral densities were 33msec, 19msec and 11msec, respectively. Mean values of sdRR, SDANN, SD, rMSSD, pNN50 and HRV index were 103msec, 90msec, 47msec, 28msec, 7% and 32, respectively. Coefficients of variation(CV) of total amplitude spectral density, and low and high frequency components were 7%, 9% and 12%, respectively. CV of most HRV parameters of time domain were also around 10% except rMSSD and pNN50. Heart rate increased in the morning to be sustained during the day time and decreased in the night. Heart rate variability of high frequency component decreased in the early morning to be sustained during day time with increase in the night. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in the predischarge period of acute myocardial infarction, HRV parameters of frequency and time domains are reproducible and there are some morning fall of cardiac vagal activity.
Circadian Rhythm ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction*

Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid is a rare tumor that usually arises from tarsal sebaceous gland. Because the clinical manifestations can masquerade as unilateral recurrent chalasion or chronic blepharoconjunctivitis, its diagnosis may be delayed. Therefore, early biopsy for diagnosis is needed for the persistently recurring unilateral blepharoconjunctivitis. The masquerade syndrome was first described in 1967 by Theodore and Irvine as chronic blepharoconjunctivitis due to an underlying conjunctival carcinoma. While the originally described neoplasms were squamous cell carcinomas, many of the tumors producing this clinical picture are believed to be sebaceous in origin. We experienced a case of pathologically confirmed sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid which originally masqueraded as chronic blepharoconjunctivitis and was treated with topical antibiotics and steroids for 1 year and 8 months, finally being treated by partial orbital exenteration.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Conjunctivitis* ; Diagnosis ; Eyelids ; Orbit ; Sebaceous Glands ; Steroids

A variety of treatments has been used to correct long forehead and frontal alopecia. These include forehead reduction (scalp reduction), hair graft and flap transfer. Among these procedures, forehead reduction (scalp reduction) is the most simple and effective method. In this procedure, various fixation techniques of scalp flap to cranial bone are used to prevent retraction of the scalp. We used Sherlock (or Piranha) screw to anchor the scalp flap to cranial bone. Between August 1998 and May 2000, this technique had been performed for 37 patients. Average follow-up period was 15 months. For forehead reduction (scalp reduction), the scalp was elevated back to the occipital region through a pretrichial incision, and relaxation incisions of galea was made at a right angle to the vector of advancement. The Sherlock (or Piranha) screw was fixed to the cranial bone. The entire scalp was then repositioned anteriorly, advancing the hairline caudally and shortening the forehead. Retraction of the scalp was prevented by anchoring the galeal fascia to the cranial bone using Sherlock (or Piranha) screws. This technique allows sufficient advancement of the scalp and a tension-free closure. Postoperatively scar widening was less than that of other methods. There were not any infection, hematoma, hair loss nor permanent paresthesia on scalp. In 2 cases, screws were palpable and we removed a screw for 1 case. Advantages of using Sherlock (or Piranha) screw are that the procedure is easy and simple, and sufficient advancement of the scalp, tension-free closure, and less scar widening can be achieved. Disadvantages of this procedure include cost of screw and palpability of screw. In conclusion, by using Sherlock (or Piranha) screw, the procedure was simple and we could get aesthetically good results.
Alopecia ; Cicatrix ; Fascia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forehead* ; Hair ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Paresthesia ; Relaxation ; Scalp* ; Sutures* ; Transplants