BACKGROUND: Xanthelasma palpebrarum is the most common cutaneous xanthoma. Although xanthelasma is a type of xanthoma, a half of patients in most series are known to be normolipemic. OBJECTIVE: This study is an attempt to elucidate the clinical and pathologic features of xanthelasma in Korea and to know the clinical significance of xanthelasma, especially suggested role as a marker for hyperlipidemiae and increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. METHOD: Thirty seven cases of xanthelasma were clinially and pathologically analyzed. Incidence of abnomal lipid profiles and cardivascular diseases were compared with those of control group using logistic regression statistics. RESULTS: 1. The incidence of xanthelasma was 0.09% of the total number of dermatologic patients. 2. The ratio between male and female was 1: 1.8 and the mean age was 52.4 years (range;17-71 years). 3. Clinically, it typically presented as yellow or orange papules on the inner canthus of both upper eyelids. 4. The incidences of abnormal lipid profiles(hyperlipidemia and dyslipoproteinemia) are 42.4-44.0%. The levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were increased significantly. The incidence of the cardiovascular diseases was 16.2%, which was not statistically different from that of control group. 5. Histopathologic findings of 23 cases showed masses of foam cells in the upper dermis accompanied with sparse inflammatory cells and few giant cells. CONCLUSION: Xanthelasma seems to help to identify persons with abnormal lipid profiles which are risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and we recommand examination of lipid profiles in patients with xanthelasma.
Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Cholesterol ; Citrus sinensis ; Dermis ; Dyslipidemias ; Eyelids ; Female ; Foam Cells ; Giant Cells ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias* ; Incidence ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Xanthomatosis

Cutaneous larva migrans(CLM) is a creeping cutaneous eruption that results from skin invasion by the larval form of nematodes. We experienced two patients who had typical clinical findings of CLM. One patient had a history of contact with possibly contaminated fertilizer by the larva of nematotes. The other had a history of travelling to the endemic tropical areas. We report herein two cases of CLM with the literature review of the previous CLM cases in Korea.
Humans ; Korea ; Larva ; Larva Migrans* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers by sun-protection and sunscreen is the most commonly used method of sun protection. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the awareness of harmful effects of sun exposure and behavior of sunscreen use in Korean. METHODS: One thousand, two hundred and seventy-four subjects who visited Dermatology Department at Asan Medical Center between April and July 2000 were interviewed. The questionnaire provided information about demographic characteristics, daily sun-exposure time, and sunburn history in the year before. It also included the questions about the causes of wrinkle, sunspot, chloasma, and skin cancer, as the awareness of the harmful effects of sun exposure. The use of sunscreen or other sun-protective methods, and the knowledge about sun protection factor (SPF) were also reported. RESULTS: The harmful effects of the sun in causing wrinkle, sunspot, chloasma, and skin cancer were conceived by 11.1%, 24.4%, 41.4%, and 44.3% of the respondents respectively. Thirty nine percent of the respondents used sunscreens, and the other 61% hardly knew necessity of sunscreens. Those who understood the meaning of sun protection factor(SPF) were 23.7%. Sun-protective methods except using sunscreens were use of a hat or a cap(53.2%), long-sleeved clothing(27.2%), a parasol(27.0%), heavy make-up(11.2%), and a towel(3.8%). Male respondents, people who were younger than 20 or older than 70, and those who had not sunburned the year before were less likely to use sunscreens. CONCLUSION: The results indicate an urgent need for education about the harmfulness of sun exposure as well as benefits of sunscreens.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Dermatology ; Education ; Humans ; Male ; Melanosis ; Skin Neoplasms ; Solar Activity ; Solar System* ; Sun Protection Factor ; Sunburn ; Sunscreening Agents

BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis and tinea pedis are common superficial fungal infections. Causative organism in onychomycosis and tinea pedis have been extensively studied, but the pathogenic role of non-dermatophyte is still controversial. Trichosporon species are soil and water-inhabiting yeasts, and occasionally found in the normal flora of human skin, mouth, and nails. Trichosporon spp. have been reported to be one of the pathogens in onychomycosis and tinea pedis. OBJECTIVE: We performed mycologic studies to investigate the prevalence and significance of trichosporon spp. in skin and nail lesions, which were clinically suspected of onychomycosis and tinea pedis. METHOD: We performed a survey of the mycologic laboratory records of patients clinically suspected of onychomycosis and tinea pedis from August 2001 to July 2002, and tried to identify trichosporon to species level by using API 20C kit systems. RESULTS: Out of total 1509 nail and skin samples examined, 663(43.9%) were culture positive. Trichosporon spp. were recovered from 11.2%(74/663) of the samples. In onychomycosis considered alone, the prevalence of solitary isolated Trichosporon spp. was 7.7%. In species level, T. asahii(62.1%), T. mucoides(20.3%), and T. inkin(14.9%) were isolated in decreasing frequency. The positive rate for KOH examination in trichosporon spp. was 52.9%. Among the isolated trichosporon spp., mixed cultures with other organisms were 13(17.6%) and solitary isolates were 61(82.4%). 31(41.9%) were not only positive for KOH examination but also founded in pure culture in relatively large colony counts. In pure culture isolations, high colony counts predominated over mixed cultures. CONCLUSION: Trichosporon spp. is a relatively common isolates from fungal cultures of skin and nail, and it may be pathogenic in some cases of skin or nail infection.
Humans ; Mouth ; Onychomycosis* ; Prevalence ; Skin ; Soil ; Tinea Pedis* ; Tinea* ; Trichosporon* ; Yeasts

Aquired fibrokeratoma is a rare, benign tumor which occurs most frequently on the fingers. Because of the digital predilection, a term of digital fibrokeratoma has been frequently used. We present here two cases of acquired fibrokeratoma occurring on the prepatellar area and the proximal nail bed which are unusual sites of this lesion. A skin-colored, hyperkeratotic tumor with finger-like projection was found on the prepatellar area of a 29-year-old man and a round pedunculated nodule was found on the proximal nail bed of second finger of a 74-year-old woman. Histopathologic examination revealed typical features of acquired fibrokeratoma.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans

Mucormycosis is a rare and opportunistic infection usually associated with hematologic diseases, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, solid tumors, and organ transplantations. We present here a considered case of disseminated mucormycosis in renal transplant recipient. A 60-year-old man who had undergone second kidney transplantation for a month visited emergency room due to 5 day history of cough with spiking fever and abnormal mental status and vital signs were rapidly deteriorated. Septic shock was suspicious. He was admitted to ICU and treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and antiviral agents, but there was no improvement. A few days later, several large hemorrhagic blisters and purpura occurred on the face, trunk, and both lower extremities. The histopathologic examination from skin specimen revealed large, broad, nonseptate hyphae branched at right angles in the dermis and blood vessels, which was consistent with mucormycosis. But the skin culture for fungus was negative. He had had no skin trauma history and evidence. So we considered the disseminated mucormycosis from unknown primary origin. He died of progressive respiratory failure before antifungal treatment.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antiviral Agents ; Blister ; Blood Vessels ; Cough ; Dermis ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Fever ; Fungi ; Hematologic Diseases ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Kidney Transplantation ; Lower Extremity ; Middle Aged ; Mucormycosis* ; Opportunistic Infections ; Organ Transplantation ; Purpura ; Renal Insufficiency ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Shock, Septic ; Skin* ; Transplantation* ; Transplants ; Vital Signs

We report a case of punctate porokeratosis in a 50-year old Korean man. The patient had multiple small keratotic papules and pits on his both palms and soles for more than 20 years. Histopathologic exam showed a typical cornoid lamella and loss of granular cell layer and mild vacuolar degeneration of epidermis under the cornoid lamella. The final diagnosis was the punctate porokeratosis, a rare form of porokeratosis.
Diagnosis ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Porokeratosis*

A 28-year-old woman presented with multiple whiplash-like eruptions of 4-days' duration around both ankles, feet, knees, and hands after contact with a jellyfish. Histological examination showed epidermal necrosis with intraepidermal vesicles containing neutrophils and red blood cells, dermal necrotic vasculitis, diffuse dermal infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and beanbag cells, and degeneration of collagen fibers.
Adult ; Ankle ; Collagen ; Dermatitis* ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Knee ; Lymphocytes ; Necrosis ; Neutrophils ; Vasculitis

OBJECTIVES: Recently,tinea pedis has been reported to be a type of occupational dermatoses because of its high prevalence in specific working conditions.Although there is no doubt that the environment surrounding work places, the usual habits of workers etc are intimately related to this skin conditions, there is some controversy as to whether or not this condition is a real occupational illness and what is the exact cause of the high prevalence of this illness is. In this study, the prevalence of tinea pedis in workers from the shipbuilding industry was investigated andthe risk factors of this disease were evaluated. This study also aimed to verify whether or not tinea pedis is one of the occupational diseases. METHODS: The results of interviews, questionnaires and clinical findings from 1,419 workers who visited the occupational health center for an annual routine check for their health state were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 1,419 workers, 778 workers (54.8%)had tinea pedis. By simple logistic regression analysis,the prevalence of tinea pedis was found to be affected by some variables, including the job category, the types of work,the kinds of footwear, whether or not they were using communal baths in the work places, and a family history of tinea pedis.In contrast, by multiple logistic regression analysis,only utilization of the communal baths in the work places and a family history of tinea pedis turned out to be statistically significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the major factors contributing to the high prevalence of tinea pedis are the use of communal baths in the workplace and a positive family history. However, the wearing of safety shoes was not statistically significant. Therefore, tinea pedis could not be confirmed to be an occupational disease. On the basis of these results, a solution to the environmental hygiene of communal baths and the personal hygiene of individuals needs to be improved in order to prevent tinea pedis.
Baths ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Logistic Models ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Health ; Prevalence* ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors* ; Shoes ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Tinea Pedis* ; Tinea* ; Workplace

Multiple dermatofibromas are rare and their etiology is unknown. An association with immunosuppression or altered immunity including autoimmune disorders has been reported. The mechanism for the development of multiple eruptive dermatofibromas in the setting of immune disturbance remains unclear. We herein report four cases of multiple dermatofibromas, one of them is associated with immunosuppression.
Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous* ; Immunosuppression