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*

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*

Multiple endocrine neoplasi~a type 3 is a rare, heritable or sporadic, multiple neoplastic disorder that is charracterized by thyroid medullary careinoma, pheochromocytoma, multiple mucosal neuroma, and marfanoid habitus. The most important disorder of the syndrome is mucosal neuroma that is an early diagnostic sign of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 3. Early diagnosis of MEN type 3 determines prognosis of the disease. We present a case of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 3 of the sporadic pattern in a 27-year-old man who had typical medullary thyroid carcinoma, mucosal neuroma, marfanoid habitus, and megacolon.
Adult ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Megacolon ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia* ; Neuroma* ; Pheochromocytoma ; Prognosis ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms

PURPOSE: Our objective was to evaluate mammographic findings of breast cancer in men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study includes 9 man with breast cancer diagnosed pathologically by radical mastectomy. Clinical and pathologic data were obtained by review of patients' medical record. Mammograms were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 9 patients, eight had masses with spiculated margin or schirrous pattern with irregular margin. One patient had no specific evidence of breast cancer mammographically. Microcalcifications were seen in three patients, these calcifications were irregular in shape and were clustered. Of the 8 cases, four patients had the masses at the right breast, four at the left breast. Locations of breast cancer were subareolar(n=4) and were eccentric(n=4) from the nipple. The most common location was the upper outer quadrant. On histologic evaluation, 7 cases were infiltrating ductal carcinomas, one case was mucinous adenocarcinoma, and the remainder was proved as combined form of intraductal and infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Axillary lymph node metastasis were found in 4 cases. CONCLUSION: Mammographic findings of male breast carcinoma were that of subareolar or eccentrically located mass. Calcifications were same to the patterns of calcification as female breast cancer.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast Neoplasms, Male* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Male* ; Mastectomy, Radical ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nipples ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Our objective was to evaluate mammographic findings of breast cancer in men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study includes 9 man with breast cancer diagnosed pathologically by radical mastectomy. Clinical and pathologic data were obtained by review of patients' medical record. Mammograms were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 9 patients, eight had masses with spiculated margin or schirrous pattern with irregular margin. One patient had no specific evidence of breast cancer mammographically. Microcalcifications were seen in three patients, these calcifications were irregular in shape and were clustered. Of the 8 cases, four patients had the masses at the right breast, four at the left breast. Locations of breast cancer were subareolar(n=4) and were eccentric(n=4) from the nipple. The most common location was the upper outer quadrant. On histologic evaluation, 7 cases were infiltrating ductal carcinomas, one case was mucinous adenocarcinoma, and the remainder was proved as combined form of intraductal and infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Axillary lymph node metastasis were found in 4 cases. CONCLUSION: Mammographic findings of male breast carcinoma were that of subareolar or eccentrically located mass. Calcifications were same to the patterns of calcification as female breast cancer.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast Neoplasms, Male* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Male* ; Mastectomy, Radical ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nipples ; Retrospective Studies

The purpose of this study was to compare the fitness of the IPS Empress ceramic crowns according to margin type such as bevel, shoulder, rounded shoulder, shoulder with bevel, rounded shoulder with bevel and grooved bevel. After 10 experimental dies were constructed for each group, the IPS Empress ceramic crowns were fabricated on the dies, cemented with resin cement(Bistite resin cement, Tokuyama Soda Co. Ltd., Japan) and embeded in clear epoxy resin. Each specimen was sectioned with a low speed diamond saw in both the faciopalatal and the mesiodistal direction. The cement film thickness was measured with a measuring microscope. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The fitness at the external margin was good in the following order: rounded shoulder(28.99), shoulder with bevel(31.33), grooved bevel(31.79), rounded shoulder with bevel(34.65), bevel(35.02) and shoulder(35.08). However there is no significant statistical difference. 2. The fitness at the internal margin of bevel(25.75), rounded shoulder(31.24), shoulder with bevel(32.07) and rounded shoulder with bevel(34.45) was better than that of shoulder(47.98). 3. The fitness at the axial surface of bevel(26.58) was better than that of shoulder(49.59). 4. The fitness at the central fossa was good in the following order: shoulder with bevel(38.88), grooved bevel(40.46) rounded shoulder with shoulder(46.29), shoulder(48.91), bevel(49.47) and rounded bevel(52.07). However there is no significant statistical difference. 5. Overall fitness of bevel(29.71), rounded shoulder(32.49) and shoulder with bevel(34.47) was better than that of shoulder(44.73).
Ceramics* ; Crowns* ; Diamond ; Resin Cements ; Shoulder