Two cases of pseudoxanthoma elasticum associated with angioid streaks in both eyes were presented and the literatures were reviewed. The affected sisters were 15 and 18 years female among the five siblings. They had pin head sized yellowish maculopapular eruptions on the sides of the neck and axillae, and also visual distubance of the both eyes. They seemed to be autosomal recessive inberitance in their family background. There were no other complications.
Angioid Streaks ; Axilla ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Neck ; Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum* ; Siblings

The pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorder(FGID) is not completely understood, but the importance of the 'Brain-Gut Axis(BGA)' model in FGID is being increasingly recognized. The BGA model is a bidirectional, hard-wired and homeostatic relationship between the central nervous system(CNS) and the enteric nervous system(ENS) via neural, neurohormonal and neuroimmunological pathways. In addition, the BGA model would provide a rationale for the use of psychotropics on FGID. The authors experienced two cases in which duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, was effective in relieving FGID symptoms as well as psychiatric symptoms such as depression and hypochondriacal anxiety. Therefore we discuss the vignettes from the perspective of BGA theory. Duloxetine showed efficacy in these two patients by reducing visceral hypersensivity (bottom-up regulation) and by relieving depression and anxiety(top-down regulation).
Anxiety ; Depression ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Thiophenes

PURPOSE: Primary bone tumors of hindfoot are uncommon compared with other locations, and there have been few large-group studies. This study was designed to analyze the characteristics and the clinical results of the primary bone tumors of hindfoot. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty five cases in 44 patients who have been diagnosed from 1989 to 2011 were reviewed. The minimum follow-up period was 1 year. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and images. RESULTS: Twenty six cases were male and 18 cases were female. Mean follow-up period was 33.1 months and mean age was 25.1 years. Forty four cases were benign and 1 case was malignant. Thirty six cases occurred in calcaneus and 9 cases were in talus. The most common benign bone tumor was simple bone cyst (20 cases), followed by intraosseous lipoma (12 cases), and chondroblastoma (4 cases). In calcaneus, there were 18 cases of simple bone cyst, and 12 cases of intrasosseous lipoma. In talus, there were 3 cases of chondroblastoma, 2 cases of simple bone cyst, and 2 cases of intraossesous ganglion. Many patients with hindfoot bone tumors presented with pain, but some were found accidentally. Patients received surgical procedures, such as curettage and bone graft, open reduction and internal fixation, tumor resection, and below knee amputation. CONCLUSION: Primary bone tumors of hindfoot are rare and can be misdiagnosed as ankle sprain or contusion. Although most are benign, malignant tumors cannot be ruled out, so early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is important.
Animals ; Ankle ; Bone Cysts ; Calcaneus ; Chondroblastoma ; Contusions ; Curettage ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Knee ; Lipoma ; Male ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Sprains and Strains ; Talus ; Transplants

The purpose of this study was to find out the relationships between parental attitudes about smoking and parental smoking behavior as factors associated with adolescent's smoking behavior. Data were collected from Nov 20, 1997 to Feb 30, 1998 from 295 male high school students located in the Kyung Gi Do Province. Specific questions for adolescents concerning their parent's attitudes about their smoking, parental smoking behavior and the youth smoking behavior were included. Data were analyzed using a SPSS/PC program for the descriptive and chi-square statistics. Results indicated that parental attitudes are significantly associated with adolescents' smoking, both in behavior and amount smoked. Whereas parental behavior showed difference in means of adolescent's smoking behavior and smoking amount. In conclusion, parental attitudes toward adolescent smoking have a significantly greater effect on both the behavior and on the amount smoked than does parental antismoking educational efforts may find it helpful to include this factor.
Adolescent* ; Humans ; Male ; Parents* ; Smoke* ; Smoking*

No abstract available.
Schizophrenia*

Coccidioidomycosis is a common infectious disease in southwestern North America, which is caused by the soil fungus, Coccidioides immitis. Due to the mobility of the modern population, increasing numbers of cases are being diagnosed outside the endemic areas. Moreover, diagnosis in non-endenmic areas may be delayed or confused due to its rarity. Here we report a case of pulmonary coccidioidomycisis in an immigrant. The patient presented with unexplained pulmonary symptoms. A history of recent travel to or immigration from an endemic area may suggest coccidioidomycosis. In addition an early tissue biopsy is helpful in establishing this diagnosis.
Bacterial Infections and Mycoses ; Biopsy ; Coccidioides ; Coccidioidomycosis* ; Communicable Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Emigrants and Immigrants* ; Emigration and Immigration ; Fungi ; Humans ; Mycoses ; North America ; Soil

Erythema multiforme(EM) is an acute, self-limited eruption of the skin and mucous membrane, characterized by distinctive target lesions. Although a wide range of factors have been implicated as precipitating EM, the pathogenesis is unknown. Recently, several studies on EM have been reportecl, showing the presence of immune complexes in patient with EM, and these authors suggested that such complexes may be cf immunopathogenic significance. The atudy was undertaken to irivestigate the pathogenesis of EM. In ten patients with EM, we performed serological study and direct immunofluorescence study. The reaults obtained were as follows. 1) There was no signifir.ant abnormality in CBC, urinalysis, chest PA, stool, and serology including ASO, CH, Ig quantitation, VDRL, HBsAg, ANA, RF, and cryoglobul in. 2 In direct immunofluorescence study, 4 biopsies showed IgM deposits in the su!erficial blood vessels, 4 demonstrated C, 2 showed IgG deposition and 2 biopsies showed fibrin deposition. All biopsies were negative for lgA. Additionally 1 biopsy demonstrated IgM depnsition along the dermoepidermal junction, and 1 showed both IgG and fihrin deposition. This study supports the view that deposition of immune complexes may play a role in the pathogenesis of EM.
Biopsy

We presented a case of perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens associated with acne conglobata in 40-year-old rnale. He had a sausage-shaped plaque containing many fistular tracts on right temnporal area and cicatrizing alopecia on occiput. On the middle portion of upper back he had a adult fist-sized plaque containing many fistular tracts. Histopathologically epidermis showed mild byperkeratosis and keratotic plugging and in the dermis most hair follicles were destroyed and replacel by fibrous tissue but there were moderxte cellular infiltration composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes a.nd hist.iocytes around the remained hair follicles. On serum electrophoresis alpha,-globulin was elevated and gamna globulin was the upper liviit of nornal variation. Skin tests with murnps vaccine, dinitrochloro benzene (DNCB) and old tuberculin disclosed the evidence of de reased c "ll-mediated immunity(CMI). All th se findings suggest thzt immune rriechanisni r,-ay be concerned ivith the pathogenesis in this case. He wa.s treated with th internal administration of antibiotic and corticosteroid and with surgical opening and curettage of fistular tracts
Acne Vulgaris ; Adult ; Alopecia ; Benzene ; Curettage ; Dermis ; Electrophoresis ; Epidermis ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Neutrophils ; Skin Tests ; Tuberculin

We evaluate the effects of diltiazem in 19 patients with ischemic heart disease (15 patients) of classical anginal pectoris & 4 patients of variant angina) by means of clinical status & electrocardiographic changes and obtain the results as follows: 1. The pulse rate & blood pressure were decreased by diltiazem slightly but these decreases were not significant in statistical meaning. 2. Diltiazem administration of 4 weeks duration normalized EKG completely in 4 patients & partially in 3 patients among the 13 patients who showed abnormal resting EKG initially. 3. All 19 patients who received diltiazem showed clinical improvement; 9 patients had excellent responses, 7 patients good responses & 3 patients fair responses. 4. Diltiazem had side effects in 3 patients, drowsiness, mild euphoria & possibly tolerance respectively in each patients.
Angina Pectoris* ; Blood Pressure ; Diltiazem ; Electrocardiography ; Euphoria ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Sleep Stages

A case of disseminated superficial actinic poroLeratosis affecting 47 years old, house wife, who has been suffering from multiple dark-brownish keratotic papules on the sun-light exposed parts especially face, forearm and dorsa of the both hands with mild itching sensation, is presented. The skin lesions developed about two years ago insidiously and increased size and numberes of the lesion. Her family background suggests autosomal dominant inheritance.
Actins ; Forearm ; Hand ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Porokeratosis* ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Skin ; Spouses ; Wills