Barraquer-Simons syndrome is a rare acquired lipodystrophy characterized by gradually symmetric subcutaneous fat loss in a craniocaudal distribution, often associated with hypocomplementemia and nephropathies. Facial cosmetic treatment in this disorder has not been fully described in the literature. We present a patient with Barraquer-Simons syndrome with emphasis on early cosmetic intervention with autologous fat grafting and its long-term efficacy. At the follow-up 37 months after the last fat grafting, preservation of the grafted fat was noted while lipodystrophy progressed in the trunk regions. Autologous fat grafting is suggested for the correction of facial dysmorphism in this type of lipodystrophy.
Autografts ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; Lipodystrophy* ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Paronychia is a common infectious disease affecting fingernails and toenails. Although bacterial and fungal infections as well as mechanical trauma may play roles in the pathogenesis of this disease, there are few bacteriological studies about paronychia in military personnel. OBJECTIVE: To identify the causative bacteria of paronychia in military personnel. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the microbiological results of 145 patients who visited a tertiary referral hospital for Korean soldiers from August 2004 to October 2006. RESULTS: Twenty-eight different types of aerobic bacteria were identified, with the most common being Staphylococcus aureus (38.0%), Streptococcus pyogenes (7.2%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.4%). Staphylococcus aureus was identified mostly in finger and toe paronychial lesions and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was recovered commonly from toe paronychial lesions. All cases of paronychia were controlled by the combination of antiseptic dressing, topical antibacterial ointment, oral antibiotics, and antimycotic agents. CONCLUSION: The types of bacteria that most commonly caused paronychia in military personnel were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pyogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, the commonly used oral antibiotics for paronychia, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, clindamycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, are good choices in the treatment of paronychia in military personnel.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Bacteria, Aerobic ; Bandages ; Clindamycin ; Communicable Diseases ; Fingers ; Humans ; Military Personnel ; Nails ; Paronychia ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Retrospective Studies ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Streptococcus pyogenes ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Toes ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

BACKGROUND: The utilization of botulinum toxin has rapidly expanded into various aesthetic applications. Achieving success with the aesthetic use of neurotoxins depends on several factors, including an understanding of the anatomy, the methods of dilution and the injection technique. Any guidelines representing a consensus for aesthetic treatments using botulinum toxin type A (BTA) have not been published in Korea. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to provide consensus recommendations on the treatment of facial wrinkles and benign masseter hypertrophy using BTA in Korean patients. METHODS: A panel of experienced Korean dermatologists was convened to develop a clinical consensus. The clinical consensus was comprised of the recommendations of the panel and the guidelines on general issues, such as the reconstitution and handling of the BTA, the procedural considerations, the dosing and injection-site standardizations, and the prevention and treatment of unwanted effects. Specific recommendations were provided according to the area of treatment, including glabellar lines, horizontal forehead lines, lateral periorbital wrinkles and benign masseter hypertrophy. RESULTS: The recommended final concentration of BTA was 50 units/ml (5 units/0.1 ml) after reconstitution with physiologic saline. For glabellar lines, the members recommend three injection points (a total of 8 units). For forehead wrinkles, the members recommend nine injections in two rows into the frontalis with 1 unit/point. For crow's feet, the members recommend three injections per side (7 units/side) at the lateral part of the orbicularis oculi. For benign masseter hypertrophy, three injections per side (24~30 units/side) were recommended. CONCLUSION: These consensus recommendations will provide a framework for Korean dermatologists who wish to perform safe and efficacious injection of BTA for facial rejuvenation.
Botulinum Toxins ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; Consensus ; Foot ; Forehead ; Handling (Psychology) ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Korea ; Neurotoxins ; Rejuvenation

The term muscle herniation represents focal muscular protrusions through an acquired or congenital fascial defect. The anterior tibialis muscle is the most common site of herniation. Dynamic ultrasonography has become an important tool in dermatology for diagnosing suspected muscle herniation because it is a non-invasive, highly accurate, readily available and cost-effective imaging technique. We present here the case of a 21-year-old male Korean soldier who underwent dynamic ultrasonography to confirm the diagnosis of anterior tibialis muscle herniation.
Dermatology ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Muscles ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Persistent facial telangiectasia, erythema and flushing are the major cosmetic problems in patients with rosacea. However various therapeutic treatments for rosacea papules and pustules are not effective in reducing telangiectasia and flushing reactions. Matrix-centered theory that dermal matrix degradation can cause telangiectasis, erythema and flushing, is one of the various theories of rosacea pathogenesis. Shark cartilage extracts are collagenase inhibitors and can inhibit dermal matrix degradation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of shark catilage extracts (Venatrix(R)) for erythematotelangiectatic rosacea patients. METHODS: Twenty three patients with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea applied shark cartilage extracts twice daily for up to 8 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated by erythema index using mexameter (MPA 5, CK, Germany) and clinical photography. RESULTS: Erythema index decreased from 525.7+/-114 to 413.9+/-101.7 (mean reduction: 21.3%) (p<0.1) after 8 weeks treatment. 16 patients (69%) showed excellent or good results by clinical photography. Transient stinging sensation was the most common adverse effect and these symptoms improved after the first few days. There were no other significant side effects. CONCLUSION: Shark cartilage extracts may be an effective treatment for mild erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.
Bites and Stings ; Cartilage* ; Erythema ; Flushing ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors ; Photography ; Rosacea* ; Sensation ; Sharks* ; Telangiectasis

Herpes simplex virus (Herpesvirus hominis), a member of the herpeptoviridae family, is among the most common infectious viral pathogens in humans. Types of HSV can be subdivided into HSV-1 and HSV-2 on the basis of physiological, serologic and epidemiologic differences, although both are closely related immunologically and DNA sequence homology. HSV-1 is frequently associated with oropharyngeal, eye and skin infections, while HSV-2 is most commonly associated with genital tract infections. Characteristically after the primary infection, HSV can be linked to latency in neural tissue. Reactivation of HSV can be triggered by sunburn, fever, stress, menstruation and local trauma. Here we report a case of reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 2 in foot dorsum followed by repetitive friction due to Sandals' trap.
Base Sequence ; Female ; Fever ; Foot* ; Friction* ; Herpes Simplex* ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; Herpesvirus 2, Human ; Humans ; Menstruation ; Reproductive Tract Infections ; Simplexvirus* ; Skin ; Sunburn

BACKGROUND: Chilblain or pernio is a cold-induced, inflammatory skin problem which occurs usually on acral areas bilaterally. Because chilblain commonly develops in cold, damp climates, many soldiers may experience occupational chilblain during military service in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical characteristics of chilblain in Korean soldiers. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical findings in 199 patients with chilblain who visited the department of dermatology, Armed Forces Capital Hospital during the 5-year period from 2002 to 2007. We investigated the epidemiology, aggravation factors, duration of the disease, clinical manifestations and treatment. RESULTS: The results were as follows; The average age was 21.51+/-1.86 years old. The chilblain usually developed during winter and the duration of symptoms ranged from 1 day to 4 years. All patients developed skin lesions on acral areas. Erythematous skin lesions were observed in 133 patients and purpuric lesions were seen in 56 patients. The lesions were symmetrical in 171 patients 43 patients had history of recurrence. Treatment includes nifedipine and pentoxyfilline. The supportive treatment includes rest and keeping warm, topical corticosteroids or antibiotics and oral antihistamine, analgesics, or antibiotics. CONCLUSION: This investigation is expected to help understand and obtain more information on chilblain.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Analgesics ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arm ; Chilblains* ; Climate ; Dermatology ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Korea ; Military Personnel* ; Nifedipine ; Recurrence ; Skin

The yellow-tail moth Euproctis similis, belongs to the genus Euproctis (Lymantriidae) and has a wide distribution within Korea, Japan, China and Europe. Contact with the 'urticating hairs' of the Euproctis similis caterpillar induces dermatitis due to the combination of mechanical and chemical mechanisms. Clinically, patients with caterpillar dermatitis show wheals in the early stage and/or erythematous papules in the late stage after contact with the spicules. We report 5 young soldiers who developed pruritic wheals and erythematous papules on their upper back after contact with the hairs of the Euproctis similis caterpillar.
China ; Dermatitis* ; Europe ; Hair ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Military Personnel ; Moths

Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus represent a new class of topical non-steroidal medication currently used in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory skin lesions. We report a case of a patient in whom topical pimecrolimus therapy resulted in tinea incognito. Mycologic examination, including a KOH smear and fungal culture, was positive for hyphae and colonies of trichophyton mentagrophytes. The lesion was treated with oral griseofulvin and topical clotrimazole.
Clotrimazole ; Griseofulvin ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Skin ; Tacrolimus ; Tinea* ; Trichophyton

BACKGROUND: Pitted keratolysis (PK) is an acquired, chronic, usually asymptomatic, non-inflammatory, superficial bacterial infection of the stratum corneum of the soles. Corynebacterium species are thought to be the causative organisms of PK. This condition is common in feet of active people wearing sweaty shoes, namely, athletes and soldiers. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical manifestations of pitted keratolysis. METHODS: A total of 133 Korean male soldiers diagnosed with PK (aged between 19 and 33, mean 21.9 years) were included in this study. All patients were investigated between April 2004 and May 2005. Factors investigated included age, location, duration, date of visit, physical examination, subjective symptoms, associated medical conditions, and treatment modalities. All patients were examined carefully to verify accompanying erythrasma or trichomycosis axillaris (TMA). RESULTS: About half of the patients visited our department in spring (March, April, and May). However, PK was found in all the seasons. The ball of the foot was the most frequently involved site (92.5%). The big toe (72.2%) was also a frequent site of involvement. Forty-five patients (41.7%) had coexistent erythrasma, 22 (20.4%) had TMA, and 14 (13.0%) had a simultaneous presence of both erythrasma and TMA. Hyperhidrosis (98.5%) and foul odor (95.5%) were the main complaints in most of the patients. Other symptoms associated with PK were sliminess (38.3%), burning (23.3%), itching (18.8%), and prickling (13.5%) sensations. Various treatment modalities such as topical antibiotics, topical antifungal agents, and oral erythromycin have been used. All lesions subsided within 1 month after treatment. Although recurrence rate was high (64.3%), parameters such as period of prevalence, size and shape of the lesion, and treatment modality were not associated with the recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: The present study provides basic clinical information on PK, which is a common condition of the feet of Korean male soldiers.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antifungal Agents ; Athletes ; Bacterial Infections ; Burns ; Corynebacterium ; Erythrasma ; Erythromycin ; Foot ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Odors ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Pruritus ; Recurrence ; Seasons ; Sensation ; Shoes ; Toes