Although basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer, it rarely metastasizes. Metastatic basal cell carcinoma may, therefore, initially elude diagnosis and management. We describe the case of a patient with a metastatic basal cell carcinoma present in the lungs. The differential diagnosis of suspected metastatic lesions should include metastases from a cutaneous basal cell carcinoma, in addition to those from more commonly metastasizing carcinomas, especially in patients with a history of a large basal cell carcinoma that has involved the head and neck regions, and was refractory to treatment.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Head ; Humans ; Lung ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Skin Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Spa therapy is widely used in many countries for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. There have been some reports about the therapeutic efficacies and mechanisms of spa therapy for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) from other countries, but there have been no such reports from Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and the safety of Hae-Un-Dae spa therapy for adult AD patients. METHODS: A total of 15 patients with AD were recruited in this study. The patients were classified into the mild group (n=5) and severe group (n=10) according to their eczema area and severity index (EASI) score at baseline. They had a bath in a Hae-Un-Dae spa three times per week for 4 weeks. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, the EASI score, the physician's global assessment (PGA) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pruritus were assessed every week. The skin hydration, the skin pH and the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were also measured weekly to investigate the changes of the skin barrier function during the spa therapy. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, the EASI scores of the total group and the severe group decreased at 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Furthermore, the VAS for pruritus of the total group and the severe group was also decreased. Among the factors of the skin barrier function, the skin pH decreased in the mild group and it increased in the severe group during the spa therapy. Of the 15 patients, one patient experienced exacerbation of symptoms and two patients reported a transient pickling sensation during the spa therapy. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that Hae-Un-Dae spa therapy could be an effective and safe modality for the management of adult AD, yet more studies should be performed to determine the therapeutic mechanism.
Adult ; Baths ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Eczema ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Skin

No abstract available.
Hand* ; Hyperpigmentation* ; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency* ; Vitamin B 12* ; Vitamins*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Telangiectasis

Mycobacterium chelonae is a rapidly growing atypical mycobacterium found in soil and water. In a healthy person, it causes cutaneous infection after an invasive procedure or surgery. Herein, we present a case of a 52-year-old man with multiple erythematous plaques and nodules on the back and left arm, and these occurred at the site of bee sting therapy by a herbal medical doctor. The histologic findings showed a granulomatous infiltration composed of numerous neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells. Acid fast bacilli were detected by Ziehl-Neelsen stain and Mycobacterium chelonae infection was confirmed by an INNO-LiPA mycobacteria kit. The patient was treated with 1 g of clarithromycin and 200 mg of doxycycline for 6 months and his condition improved considerably.
Arm ; Bees ; Bites and Stings ; Clarithromycin ; Doxycycline ; Eosinophils ; Giant Cells ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium chelonae ; Neutrophils ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Soil

No abstract available.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Keratosis ; Male

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Mucinoses* ; Nevus, Pigmented*

BACKGROUND: Several cases of hypopigmentation induced by intralesional corticosteroid injection have been reported. However, there is little information concerning the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of such cases. OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of hypopigmentation induced by intralesional corticosteroid injection. METHODS: A retrospective clinical study was performed on 22 patients with hypopigmentation induced by intralesional corticosteroid injection, during a period of January 2003 to December 2010. Investigated factors included sex, age, previous history of intralesional corticosteroid injection, clinical manifestations, treatment modalities and clinical course. RESULTS: Of the 22 patients, 21 were female and 1 were male with the mean age of 34.3+/-17.5 (range 4~68) years old. Twelve patients were treated with corticosteroid injection for the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases, whereas, 10 patients for treatment of skin diseases. Eight patients were injected by dermatologists, 3 patients by orthopedists and 11 patients by doctors of unknown specialty. The mean number of the times of corticosteroid injection was 1.9. On the average, hypopigmentation occurred 4.2 months after corticosteroid injection. Upper extremities were most frequently affected, followed by the scalp, face, lower extremities and trunk. Hypopigmentation in most patients were localized and accompanied with skin depression and telangiectasia. There was complete resolution of hypopigmentation within 3.7 months, on average. CONCLUSION: Intralesional injections of corticosteroid are performed not only as the treatment of various skin diseases, but also for the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. Intralesional corticosteroid injection could cause hypopigmentation of the skin, and it could be confused with other skin diseases presented with hypopigmented patch. However, dermatologist could distinguish hypopigmentaion induced by intralesional corticosteroid injection from other skin diseases, such as vitiligo, by the presence of skin depression, telangiectasia and spontaneous resolution.
Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Hypopigmentation ; Injections, Intralesional ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Scalp ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Telangiectasis ; Upper Extremity ; Vitiligo

No abstract available.
Child, Preschool* ; Female* ; Humans ; Nevus, Pigmented*