BACKGROUND: Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) and pompholyx are both chronic vesiculopustular conditions of the palms and soles. Because both share similar clinical and histological features, it is difficult even for dermatologists to differentiate between these two diseases. OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical features that can be helpful in differentiating the two diseases. METHODS: The clinical history of 133 patients with vesicles or pustules on the palms and/or soles was evaluated. Patients were divided into a PPP group and a pompholyx group. RESULTS: There was no sex or age predilection in either group and no significant difference in overall localization and symmetry of lesions. Bilaterality was found in 75.0% of cases of PPP and 82.0% of cases of pompholyx. More lesions were found on the tip of the finger/toe, and the side of the toe in the pompholyx group than in the PPP group. However, there was no difference between two groups in lesions on the sides of fingers. More cases of PPP involved right distal interphalangeal (DIP) and bilateral proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint areas compared with pompholyx. There were more smokers in the PPP group. Among several comorbidities, only atopic dermatitis and nummular eczema were associated with pompholyx. CONCLUSION: Several characteristics of patients and clinical findings may serve as useful “clues” to differentiate between and determine treatment for PPP and pompholyx.
Comorbidity ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Eczema ; Eczema, Dyshidrotic* ; Fingers ; Humans ; Joints ; Toes

No abstract available.

No abstract available.

Various treatment modalities are available for mycosis fungoides including topical steroids, topical chemotherapy, phototherapy, and spot radiation therapy. However, these modalities do not always result in optimal effects, with efficacy depending on lesion size, number, and location. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a recently introduced therapeutic modality that proved effective in patients with unilesional mycosis fungoides. A 58-year-old woman presented with a seven-year history of a pruritic erythematous scaly patch on her right thigh. Through skin biopsy, we verified the lesion as mycosis fungoides. The lesion did not respond well to a topical steroid. We opted for topical PDT with methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL). MAL cream was applied for 4 hours following irradiation with a red light. Four sessions were administered, separated by five weeks. The lesion clinically improved after treatment without severe side effects. PDT using MAL could be considered an effective and tolerable treatment for mycosis fungoides.
Biopsy ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mycosis Fungoides* ; Photochemotherapy* ; Phototherapy ; Skin ; Steroids ; Thigh

BACKGROUND: Although sunscreen is used as a primary strategy for the prevention of sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer, few people regularly use sunscreen. OBJECTIVE: To investigate awareness regarding the effects of sunlight, the extent of sun exposure, and sunscreen use behaviors in Korean subjects. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to 467 adult patients who visited the Dermatology Department at Seoul National University Boramae Hospital. The questionnaire covered demographic characteristics, causes of wrinkles, sunspots, and skin cancer, awareness of the harmful effects of sun exposure, perceived and actual extent of sun exposure, and the use of sun-protective methods including sunscreen. RESULTS: Sun exposure was selected as the major cause of age spots (60.6%), skin cancer (60.9%), and wrinkles (25.9%). Respondents were likely to underestimate the extent of sun exposure. On average, quite a few respondents stated that they were exposed to sunlight for more than one hour per day (22.7% on weekdays, 52.4% on weekends). However, only 9.4% of respondents thought that their sun exposure was problematic and 62.7% of respondents considered moderate sunlight exposure healthy. Respondents' sun-protective behaviors were inadequate: only 29.8% used sunscreen regularly, and 16.5% have never used sunscreen. SPF was the most important factor in choosing sunscreen, and 83.3% used a sunscreen with a labeled SPF over 30. By contrast, only 34.6% of respondents used PA+++ sunscreen. CONCLUSION: Despite fairly good knowledge regarding the harmful effects of sunlight, subjects underestimated the risks of their sun exposure and sun-protective behaviors were suboptimal. Education on the risk of UV exposure and effects of sunscreen is still needed.
Adult ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Dermatology ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; Seoul ; Skin Neoplasms ; Solar Activity ; Solar System* ; Sunburn ; Sunlight

No abstract available.
Aged* ; Fingers* ; Humans

Subungual glomus tumors are benign neoplasms that arise from the neuromyoarterial apparatus. They present with various clinical symptoms such as localized pain, tenderness, and sensitivity to temperature change and can be palpated as a nodule or mass on physical examination. Pressure erosion can be seen at adjacent bones on radiography. However, in most cases, the tumors are too small to be inspected and located under the nail plate, which makes correct diagnosis and complete excision very difficult. Incomplete removal can cause recurrence or deformity to the residual nail, whereas extensive removal can cause trauma or deformity to the nail plate. Thus, correct differential diagnosis and preoperative evaluation of the location and extent of the tumor are very important. Here, we report 2 cases that were diagnosed and preoperatively evaluated using ultrasound.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Glomus Tumor* ; Physical Examination ; Radiography ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography*

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common complication of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) that can be classified as acute or chronic. Chronic GVHD, which usually occurs more than 3 months after BMT, includes typical lichenoid or sclerodermatous lesions. Psoriasiform eruption is a rare clinical manifestation of chronic GVHD, and there have been no reports of psoriasiform chronic GVHD associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. A 33-year-old woman who was diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis 10 years ago visited our outpatient clinic with psoriasiform eruption over her entire body. She underwent allogeneic BMT 7 months previously from her sibling. Skin biopsy was performed on the lesion, and the histological features suggested GVHD. The psoriasiform lesions improved with narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy, with secondary vitiligo remaining on the corresponding locations.
Adult ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease* ; Humans ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic* ; Phototherapy ; Psoriasis* ; Siblings ; Skin ; Vitiligo