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.
Humans ; Telangiectasis

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

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.
Child* ; Humans ; Mucinoses* ; Nevus, Pigmented*

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

Perforating lichen nitidus is an unusual variant of lichen nitidus. It is clinically characterized by umbilicated papules and histopathologically characterized by transepidermal elimination of inflammatory debris from granulomatous infiltrates. Most cases of perforating lichen nitidus are treated with topical corticosteroids, but long-term use of topical corticosteroids could provoke several side effects. Herein, we report a case of perforating lichen nitidus treated effectively and safely with topical tacalcitol ointment. We performed a dermoscopic examination for the perforating lichen nitidus lesion and found the characteristic "frogspawn" dermoscopic feature.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Dermoscopy ; Dihydroxycholecalciferols ; Lichen Nitidus ; Lichens

BACKGROUND: Various kinds of alopecia can show small round or oval hairless patch. Dermoscopy could be a simple, useful tool for making a correct diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate clinical usefulness of dermoscopy for diseases with small round or oval hairless patch on the scalp. METHODS: Dermoscopic examination was performed for 148 patients with small round or oval hairless patch using DermLite(R) II pro. The type and its patient number of alopecia investigated in the study were as below: alopecia areata (n=81), trichotillomania (n=24), tinea captis (n=13), traction alopecia (n=12), lichen planopilaris (n=8), discoid lupus erythematosus (n=7), congenital triangular alopecia (n=2) and pseudopelade of Brocq (n=1). The significance of dermoscopic findings for each disease were evaluated. RESULTS: Characteristic dermoscopic findings of alopecia areata were tapering hairs and yellow dots. Those of trichotillomania and traction alopecia were broken hairs. Dermoscopic findings of tinea capitis included bent hairs, perifollicular white macules and greasy scales. Discoid lupus erythematosus and lichen planopilaris were characterized by dermoscopic findings of lack of follicular ostia. Furthermore, keratin plugs were frequently seen in discoid lupus erythematosus whereas perifollicular hyperkeratosis and erythema were frequently seen in lichen planopilaris. CONCLUSION: Dermoscopic examination for small round or oval hairless patch showed characteristic findings for each disease. Based on these results, we propose dermoscopic algorithm for small round or oval hairless patch on the scalp.
Alopecia ; Alopecia Areata ; Dermoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Erythema ; Hair ; Humans ; Lichens ; Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid ; Scalp* ; Tinea ; Tinea Capitis ; Traction ; Trichotillomania ; Weights and Measures