BACKGROUND: Becker's mealanosis is not an uncommon entity, and many cases are probably not reported because the diagnosis is usually made clinically and the condition is benign with cosmetic significance only. the etiology remains obscure. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to establish the clinicopathologic characteristics of Becker's melanosis in Korean. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with Becker's melanosis were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: The clinical and histopathologic findings observed in our cases were similar to previous reports except for the following. Nine patients(25%) had abnormal findings in their hair follicles : dilatation of the infundibular portion filled with abnormal keratin, Pityrosporum orbiculare and bacteria(19.4%); formation of intrafollicular cyst(5.6%). Three patients(8.3%) had granulomatous infiltration. Twenty-two patients(61.1%) had increased smooth muscle bundles. CONCLUSION: The findings associated with dermal hair follicles may be related to the pathogenesis of Becker's melanosis.
Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Malassezia ; Melanosis* ; Muscle, Smooth ; Retrospective Studies

Authors reviewed mammographic ultrasonographic and MRI findings a patient with breast cysticerocosis, which was operated and pathologically proved. Mammography showed a 1 cm sized round radioopaque lesion with curvilinear calification, which was located near the pectoralis major muscle. Ultrasonograiphic findings showed heterogenous hypoechoic cystic lesion with internal hyperechoic nodule and posterior acoustic shadowing. T2Wl and proton density MR image showed low signal intensity with cresentic high signal intensity portion. 2D-FLASH dynamic MRI showed intermediate signal intensity and peripheral signal void area, which was not enhanced with Gd-DPTA. The possibility of cysticercosis can be considered be considered when a cytic lesion is discovered near the pectoralis muscle in a patient living in an endemic area.
Acoustics ; Breast* ; Cysticercosis* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mammography ; Pectoralis Muscles ; Protons ; Shadowing (Histology)

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of confluent and reticulated papillomatosis(CRP) is still unknown, although many theories have been suggested. It is stressed that abnormal host response to colonization of pityrosporum orbiculare might play a role in the pathogenesis of CRP, but is not completely understood. Frequently, we have observed bacterial colonies in the stratum corneum and, especially, within the hair follicles from biopsy specimens of patients with CRP. In addition, successful treatment for CRP with minocycline, a derivative of tetracyclines, has been reported continuously. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to document the possible association of bacterial factors in the pathogenesis of CRP and to elucidate the effectiveness of minocycline. METHODS: We performed Brown and Brenn gram staining in 12 biopsy specimens, bacterial cultures, identification of microorganisms and antibiotics sensitivity testing including minocycline. We administered oral minocycline with an initial dose of 100mg per day for 1 to 3 months and a maintenance dose 50mg per day for I to 2 months, then evaluated the response of treatment. RESULTS: 1. On Brown and Brenn staining, the gram positive bacterial colonies that stained dark bluish or nearly black were observed within the infundibulum of hair follicles in 10 out of 12 biopsy specimens(83.3%) and on the keratotic invagination of stratum corneum in 11 out of 12 biopsy specimens(91.7%). 2. Histological features of regions where bacterial colonies were observed showed, hyperkeratosis and keratotic invagination on the stratum corneum in all cases. Hyperkeratosis(66.7%), parakeratosis(16.7%), inflammatory cell infiltration(25.0%), perifollicular fibrosis(33.3%), and abnormal keratin in sebaceous ducts(50.0%) were shown in hair follicles. 3. In anaerobic cultures, no bacteria was grown. In aerobic cultures, staphylococcus species were identified in 6 cases, streptococcus viridans in one case, sternotrophomonas maltophilia in one case. In the susceptibiliity test, minocycline was sensitive in 7 from 8 cases. 4. The therapeutic response to minocycline was observed within one month in all cases, and the time to clear the lesions was 1/2 month in 2 cases, 1 month in 4 cases, 2 months in 5 cases, 3 months in one case, respectively. CONCLUSION: Form these results, we suggest that bacterial factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CRP and that the action mechanism of minocycline in the treatment of CRP may be due to antibacterial effects.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria* ; Biopsy ; Colon ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Malassezia ; Minocycline ; Papilloma* ; Staphylococcus ; Tetracyclines ; Viridans Streptococci

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of tamoxifen, as shown by mammographic changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the mammograms of 20 breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen (20mg/day) and 20 patients treated with tamoxifen (20mg/day) in combination with chemothrapy. Control groups consisted of 20 breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and 20 healthy women; the patterns of age distribution and menstrual cycle among these participants were similar to these of the study groups. Two radiologists determined parenchymal changes as seen on follow-up mammogram, of the contralateral breast in patients with breast cancer, and of the left breast in healthy women. RESULTS: Follow-up mammogram showed decreased breast parenchyma in 75% of patients treated with tamoxifen, and in 70% of patients treated with tamoxifen and chemotherapy. Mammographic changes were not noted in 85% of patients treated with chemotherapy and in 90% of healthy women. CONCLUSION: On follow-up mammogram, breast parenchyma was seen to have been decreased by tamoxifen, used to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer and forits antiproliferative effect. Mammography might be a suitable method for determining the effect of tamoxifen.
Age Distribution ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mammography ; Menstrual Cycle ; Recurrence ; Tamoxifen*

BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the efficacy and safety of vildagliptin-metformin treatment compared to those of glimepiride-metformin treatment for type 2 diabetes. METHODS: In a randomized, open-label, comparative study, 106 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. The primary endpoint was a reduction in HbA1c from baseline and secondary endpoints included fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or 2-hour postprandial glucose (2h-PPG) reduction from baseline, as well as HbA1c responder rate and HbA1c reduction according to baseline HbA1c category. RESULTS: Comparable HbA1c reduction was observed with a mean+/-standard deviation change from baseline to the 32-week endpoint of -0.94+/-1.15% in the vildagliptin group and -1.00+/-1.32% in the glimepiride group. A similar reduction in 2h-PPG (vildagliptin group 3.53+/-4.11 mmol/L vs. the glimepiride group 3.72+/-4.17 mmol/L) was demonstrated, and the decrements in FPG (vildagliptin group 1.54+/-2.41 mmol/L vs. glimepiride group 2.16+/-2.51 mmol/L) were not different between groups. The proportion of patients who achieved an HbA1c less than 7% at week 32 was 50.1% in the vildagliptin group and 56.0% in the glimepiride group. An average body weight gain of 2.53+/-1.21 kg in the glimepiride group was observed in contrast with the 0.23+/-0.69 kg weight gain noted in the vildagliptin group. A 10-fold lower incidence of hypoglycemia was demonstrated in the vildagliptin group, in addition to an absence of severe hypoglycemia. CONCLUSION: Vildagliptin-metformin treatment provided blood glucose control efficacy comparable to that of glimepiride-metformin treatment and resulted in better adverse event profiles with lower risks of hypoglycemia and weight gain.
Adamantane ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; Incidence ; Metformin ; Nitriles ; Plasma ; Pyrrolidines ; Sulfonylurea Compounds ; Weight Gain

No abstract available.

A case of multiple hamartomas of the unilateral chest wall in a four month old infant is presented. There have been a few reports on the CT findings of the chest wall hamartoma in infancy. We describe bone changes of the ribs and mineralization of this rare tumor on the CT scan, and the locations of two separate masses.
Hamartoma ; Humans ; Infant ; Miners ; Ribs ; Thoracic Wall* ; Thorax* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Homozygous Protein C deficiency is a rare genetic disease with catastrophic and fatal purpura fulminans like or thrombotic complication occurring during the neonatal period. Purpura fulminans is characterized by microvascular thrombosis in the dermis followed by perivascular hemorrhage, necrosis, and minimal inflammation. Laboratory findings are consistent with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy: We report a case of purpura fulminans in a neonate with the findings of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and an undetectable level of protein C activity, whose parents proved to be heterozygous protein C deficiency.
Dermis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Inflammation ; Necrosis ; Parents ; Protein C Deficiency* ; Protein C* ; Purpura Fulminans* ; Purpura* ; Thrombosis

Pustulotic arthro-osteitis is a rheumatic syndrome of unknovn cause, characterised by an inflammatory osteitis of the sternocostoclavicular region and pustuosis palmaris et plantaris. Although many ases of the disease have been reported in Japan, it, has not been reported in Korea so far. Three cases of pustulosis palmaris et plantaris associated i rith sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis or pustulotic arthro-osteitis are presented.
Hyperostosis, Sternocostoclavicular* ; Japan ; Korea ; Osteitis ; Psoriasis*

We have studied the effects on wound healing of moist conditions in rabbit, achieved by covering excised wounds with the polyurethane film dressings, and dry conditions, by exposure to air during the period from day 1 to day 21 after injury. We have quantified the rate of dermal repair by means of differenetial cell counts of neutrophils, macrophages, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. The rate of re-epithelialization was also examined. The resuts were as follows: 1. There was an acceleration of the inflammatory phase of repair in the moist wounds. The late phase of inflammation began more rapidly. On day 3 after injury there were 150% more macrophages (p<0.01) and 70% fewer neutrophils (p<0.01) in moist wounds. It was also observed the presence of significantly more fibroblasts (p<0.01) in the moist wounds than the dry wounds. 2. There was also more rapid increase in the number of proliferative phase cells-fibroblasts (p<0.01) and endothelial cells (p<0.01) in moist wounds. the lower content of neutrophils (p<0.05) and the higher number of fibroblasts (p<0.01) which were observed in moist wounds on day 7 after injury suggested that healing was by then well advanced into the proliferative phase. 3. On day 14 after injury, the decrease in the number of fibroblasts in moist wounds suggested that this group entered the remodeling phase of repainr. The lower total cell count in moist wounds than in dry on day 21 after injruy suggested a more rapid progress through the remodeling phase. 4. The reepithelialization of moist wounds was faster than that of dry wounds. These findings suggested that moist wounds occluded with polyurethane film dressing healed more rapidly and in a more orderly manner than did dry wounds, both epidermal and dermal repair being accelerated.
Acceleration ; Bandages* ; Cell Count ; Endothelial Cells ; Fibroblasts ; Inflammation ; Macrophages ; Neutrophils ; Polyurethanes* ; Re-Epithelialization ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*