Patients are increasingly seeking repair of their earlobes following ear gauging. Research has shown that current repair techniques either excessively reduce the lobular volume or leave an obvious scar along the free edge of the earlobe. In our case series, we describe the use of a novel technique for repairing earlobes following ear gauging using a rolling earlobe flap that preserves the lobular volume and avoids leaving a scar on the free edge of the lobule. The procedure was performed on 3 patients (6 earlobes) who had defects from ear gauging that ranged from 3.0 to 6.5 cm. There were no postoperative complications of infection, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, hypertrophic scars, or keloids, and all patients were highly satisfied with the postoperative results. This versatile technique allows for an aesthetically pleasing reconstruction of the lobule with the advantages of: the absence of a surgical scar on the free edge of the lobule, preserving the lobule volume, and presenting a highly customizable technique that allows lobules to be created with various shapes and volumes.
Body Piercing ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Ear Deformities, Acquired ; Ear* ; Humans ; Keloid ; Necrosis ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgical Flaps ; Wound Infection

Patients are increasingly seeking repair of their earlobes following ear gauging. Research has shown that current repair techniques either excessively reduce the lobular volume or leave an obvious scar along the free edge of the earlobe. In our case series, we describe the use of a novel technique for repairing earlobes following ear gauging using a rolling earlobe flap that preserves the lobular volume and avoids leaving a scar on the free edge of the lobule. The procedure was performed on 3 patients (6 earlobes) who had defects from ear gauging that ranged from 3.0 to 6.5 cm. There were no postoperative complications of infection, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, hypertrophic scars, or keloids, and all patients were highly satisfied with the postoperative results. This versatile technique allows for an aesthetically pleasing reconstruction of the lobule with the advantages of: the absence of a surgical scar on the free edge of the lobule, preserving the lobule volume, and presenting a highly customizable technique that allows lobules to be created with various shapes and volumes.
Body Piercing ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Ear Deformities, Acquired ; Ear* ; Humans ; Keloid ; Necrosis ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgical Flaps ; Wound Infection

No abstract available.
Body Piercing ; Ear* ; Female* ; Humans ; Young Adult*

Panoramic radiographs are a relatively simple technique that is commonly used in all dental specialties. In panoramic radiographs, in addition to the formation of real images of metal objects, ghost images may also form, and these ghost images can hinder an accurate diagnosis and interfere with the accuracy of radiology reports. Dentists must understand the formation of these images in order to avoid making incorrect radiographic diagnoses. Therefore, the present study sought to present a study of the formation of panoramic radiograph ghost images caused by metal objects in the head and neck region of a dry skull, as well as to report a clinical case n order to warn dentists about ghost images and to raise awareness thereof. An understanding of the principles of the formation of ghost images in panoramic radiographs helps prevent incorrect diagnoses.
Body Piercing ; Dentists ; Diagnosis ; Head ; Humans ; Neck ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Skull ; Specialties, Dental

BACKGROUND: Lobular keloid appears to be a consequence of hypertrophic inflammation secondary to ear piercings performed under unsterile conditions. We wish to understand the pathogenesis of lobular keloids and report operative outcomes with a literature review. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 40 cases of lobular keloids between January, 2005 and December, 2010. Patient records were reviewed for preclinical factors such as presence of inflammation after ear piercing prior to keloid development, surgical management, and histopathologic correlation to recurrence. RESULTS: The operation had been performed by surgical core extirpation or simple excision, postoperative lobular compression, and scar ointments. Perivascular infiltration was noted in intra- and extra-keloid tissue in 70% of patients. The postoperative recurrence rate was 10%, and most of the patients satisfied with treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION: Histological perivascular inflammation is a prominent feature of lobular keloids. Proper surgical treatment, adjuvant treatments, and persistent follow-up observation were sufficient in maintaining a relatively low rates of recurrence.
Biopsy ; Body Piercing* ; Cicatrix ; Ear* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Keloid* ; Ointments ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Busan, Gyeongnam, and Jeonnam Provinces in Korea is more than twice the national average. This study aimed to examine whether demographic and lifestyle characteristics are associated with HCV infection in these areas. METHODS: A case control study was performed at three study hospitals. HCV cases were matched with two controls for sex and age. Patient controls were selected from non-HCV patients at the same hospital. Healthy controls were subjects participating in medical checkups. Conditional logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: A total of 234 matched-case and patient- and healthy-control pairs were analyzed. The significant risk factors for both controls were sharing razors (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.39 and 3.29, respectively) and having more than four lifetime sexual partners (aOR, 2.15 and 6.89, respectively). Contact dockworkers (aOR, 1.91) and tattoos (aOR, 2.20) were significant risk factors for the patient controls. Transfusion (aOR, 5.38), a bloody operation (aOR, 5.02), acupuncture (aOR, 2.08), and piercing (aOR, 5.95) were significant risk factors for the healthy controls. Needle stick injuries and intravenous drug abuse were significant in the univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: More education concerning the dangers of sharing razors, tattoos and piercings is required to prevent HCV infection. More attention should be paid to needle stick injuries in hospitals and the community.
Acupuncture Therapy/adverse effects ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Transfusion/adverse effects ; Body Piercing/adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Equipment Reuse ; Female ; *Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C/*epidemiology/*transmission/virology ; Humans ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needlestick Injuries/complications/virology ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Tattooing/adverse effects ; Workplace ; Young Adult

Piercing of various parts of the body is common practice in Korea nowadays. In particular, ear piercing appears to be increasingly prevalent among adolescents and young-adults. Because of the complication of the procedure, auricular perichondritis after piercings can arise in this patient population. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most common causative organisms associated with infections due to ear piercing. In most cases, however, the patients were not prescribed anti-pseudomonal antimicrobial agent at presentation. This may result in persistent complicated infection and permanent cosmetic deformities. Herein, we describe two cases of post-piercing auricular perichondritis caused by P. aeruginosa successfully treated with intravenous antimicrobial agents. Also, a literature review of auricular perichondritis after ear piercing was done.
Adolescent ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Body Piercing ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Korea ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa* ; Pseudomonas* ; Staphylococcus aureus

The rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium, Mycobacterium fortuitum, is of increasing clinical importance. The ubiquitous M. fortuitum has been isolated from water, soil, and dust. M. fortuitum usually causes skin or soft-tissue infection following trauma or surgery, but may also infect a wide variety of tissues, including the lungs, lymph nodes, bones, joints, and meninges. We believe this is the first report of a breast abscess due to M. fortuitum, which presented in an immunocompetent woman in Korea after nipple piercing. A 26-year-old non-pregnant female presented with a 5-month history of a tender right breast lump that gradually increased in size. Pus from the right breast supported the growth of M. fortuitum. Mycobacterial infection should be considered in cases of recurrent breast abscess with sterile bacterial cultures, particularly when there is a history of nipple piercing procedures.
Abscess ; Adult ; Body Piercing ; Breast ; Dust ; Female ; Humans ; Joints ; Korea ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Meninges ; Mycobacterium ; Mycobacterium fortuitum ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Skin ; Soil ; Suppuration

BACKGROUND: Ear piercing is widely and easily practiced by medical personnel as well as nonmedical personnel, but it has been associated with many complications. Epidermal cyst may develop after ear piercing and result in permanent deformity of ear. However, there have been few studies to investigate the complications of ear piercing, and especially epidermal cyst. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the epidemiology of epidermal cyst that developed due to ear piercing. METHODS: A written questionnaire was distributed to 236 students at Chosun University. It consisted of 17 items concerning the overall evaluation of the complications of ear piercing, the treatments for the complications and the epidemiology of epidermal cyst after ear piercing. RESULTS: Of 236 students included in the survey, 132 students (56%) already had pierced ears. Among them, 80 students (60.6%) experienced one or more complications such as contact dermatitis (41.5%), infection (39.2%), cyst formation (13.7%) and bleeding (5.9%). In 14 students who experienced epidermal cyst after ear piercing, the ratio of male to female patients was 1:3.7 and the mean age when they first underwent ear piercing was 18.7 years. An asymptomatic cystic mass was the most common clinical symptom. Half of them received medical treatment such as dressing (50%), medication (25%), drainage (12.5%) and a surgical procedure (12.5%). CONCLUSION: Our data indicates that ear piercing is not easy and simple, but rather, it is a dangerous procedure due to its frequent complications. Therefore, dermatologists should warn patients about the complications of ear piercing and play a major role to prevent them.
Bandages ; Body Piercing ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Drainage ; Ear ; Epidermal Cyst ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Questionnaires

Although transfusion of blood and plasma products are accepted as the principle means of transmission of HCV, other parenteral methods, such as acupuncture, tattooing needles, piercing, and surgery are possible methods of transmission of HCV. We managed a case of chronic hepatitis C acquired through ear piercing and acupuncture. A 10-year old girl presented with nausea, abdominal pain, and anorexia for 1 month. Her laboratory finding showed the following: AST/ALT, 865/1,290 IU/L; positive anti-HCV Ab; and HCV RNA. One year previously, she was treated with acupuncture for an ankle sprain and 2 years previously, she had her ears pierced. Laboratory findings of family members showed AST/ALT in the normal ranges, and negative anti-HCV Ab and HCV RNA. The pathologic findings of a liver biopsy revealed chronic hepatitis with mild lobular activity, moderate porto-periportal activity, and portal fibrosis. She was treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2a and oral ribavirin for 6 months, after which the clinical symptoms and laboratory findings improved.
Abdominal Pain ; Acupuncture ; Animals ; Ankle ; Anorexia ; Biopsy ; Body Piercing ; Ear ; Fibrosis ; Hepatitis C ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Interferons ; Liver ; Nausea ; Needles ; Plasma ; Reference Values ; Ribavirin ; RNA ; Sprains and Strains ; Tattooing