In an attempt to elucidate the morphologic changes of normal aging skin, the present study was undertaken in human facial and chest well skin of individuals aged from 4 months to 76 years old. Biopsied skin was studied with light microscope, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope, using both conventional and tannic acid staining. The morphologic changes in the skin were noted as follow: 1. Structurally, the aged epidermis gradually became somewhat thinner, with flattening of the dermoepidermal interface. The number of melanocytes also decreased. 2. Abnormalities of elastic fibers such as loss of oxytalan fibers were observed from age 30. It was the initial sign of the aging process of elastic fibers, followed by abnormal changes in elaunin and mature elastic fibers. The degree of facial skin abnormality was rather more severe than that of the chest wall skin. 3. In individuals more than 50 years old, the age related changes in mature elastic fibers were more severe. Transmission electron microscopically, the electron density in elastin was irregular. The elastic fibers also showed pores and irregular splitting with fragmentation. Fine granular materials were scattered near the elastin. 4. Scanning electron microscopically, the elastic fibers in young adult skin showd ribbon-like fibers aligned in the same direction. They were either cylindrical or elliptical, having smooth surface. In old skin, the elastic fibers ran in various directions, forming complicated networks. These were larger, more elliptical and more branched than those in young adult skin. In summary, histologic changes of aging are much more prominent in sun-exposed skin(facial skin) than in sun protected skin(chest wall skin). A completely different spectrum of elastic fiber abnormalities was found in individuals more than 30 years old. The result indicates that elastic fiber abnormalities are related to aging skin.
Adult ; Male ; Female ; Humans

No abstract available.
Spinal Stenosis*

Cheilitis granulomatosa is one of the rare dermatoses which is characterized by a sudden onset and a progressive course termination in chronic enlargement of the lips Usually, enlargement of lip is the only symtom without ulceration, fissurign or scaling. It may be considered a part of the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome and the etiology is still unknown. A 35 year old female with the clinlcal symptoms of cheilitis granulomatosa is presented; the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic study.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lip ; Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome ; Skin Diseases ; Ulcer

Since Pare's first report on Achilles tendon rupture in 1575, many authors have presented numerous operative and nonoperative methods for its treatment. Numerous controversies following its treatment have been concerned with the selection of its treatment method, which could minimizing the complications and enable early ambulation. We analysed 98 cases of Achilles tendon rupture in adults which were treated by direct repair, three-tissue bundle technique, or Plantaris/Peroneus augmentation repair for 3(1)/4 years from Oct. 1986 to Dec. 1989. We compared with types of cast after operation, periods for immobilization, and ankle motion of dorsiflexion at postoperative 6 weeks & long-term follow up. The results obtained from this study were as follows; l. After repair by three-tissue bundle technique, a short leg cast was applied, and then a weight bearing was started at postoperative 3 weeks. It can be demonstrated to shorten hospitalization and early ambulation when compared to other surgical techinques. 2. The patients who were repaired with the three-tissue bundle techinque averaged 12.5° dorsiflexion at the time of cast removal at postoperative 6 weeks, compared to 0°, 1° plantar flexion, and 4.4° plantar flexion with other techniques. The former group was significantly better than that of the latter group, and these differences were not present at long-term follow up. 3. On follow up period, discoverd complications were rerupture of Achilles tendon in 8 cases and mild wound infection in 3 cases, but the patients who were repaired by the three-tissne bundle technique showed no complications except mild wound infection in one case.
Achilles Tendon ; Adult ; Ankle ; Early Ambulation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Leg ; Methods ; Rupture ; Weight-Bearing ; Wound Infection

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E*

No abstract available.
Keloid* ; Recurrence*

No abstract available.
Breast* ; Child* ; Humans

Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a relatively rare, but is a well known tumor that occurs almost in male, most frequently during the adolescent stage. Its character is histologically benign but clinically malignant because of locally invasive character to the adjascent structures, massive bleeding tendency during surgical procedure and high recurrence rate after treatment. Recently many advancements diagnostic method and surgical technique has reached satisfactory result in treating this difficult tumor. The authors present a case of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in 16 years old male patient, who was received surgical removal of the tumor through the transpalatal approach after full diagnostic evaluation and preoperative hormonal therapy.
Adolescent ; Angiofibroma* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Methods ; Recurrence

Benign symmetric lipomatosis is characterized by massive symmetric fat deposition, predominantly in the neck and shoulder girdle ares. We present a case of benign symmetric lipomatosis with alcoholic liver cirrhosis in a 54-year-old man. About two years ago, solitary skin-colored, non-tender swelling on the right upper arm was developed. The lesion had been aggravsted abruptly and rapidly in size and distribution since about one month ago. Histopathologic findings showed completely replaced reticular dermis and invaded subcutaneous tissue by mature fat cells.
Adipocytes ; Arm ; Dermis ; Humans ; Lipomatosis* ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Shoulder ; Subcutaneous Tissue