Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of bullous pilomatricoma: a retrospective, single-center study, and comparison with ordinary pilomatricoma.

BACKGROUND: Bullous pilomatricoma is a rare variant of pilomatricoma. As it has been published in sporadic case reports, a limited understanding of its clinicopathological characteristics restricts its effective diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of bullous pilomatricoma to better understand the bullous transformation of pilomatricoma. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective study of 12 patients with bullous pilomatricoma and compared their clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical data with those of patients with ordinary pilomatricoma. RESULTS: Bullous pilomatricoma showed no sex preference, with a mean onset age of 31.2 years. The common sites were the upper extremities and trunk. Bullous pilomatricoma had a shorter disease duration, a larger diameter, and a greater tendency to increase in size than those of ordinary pilomatricoma. Histopathologically, bullous pilomatricoma had a shorter duration, lesser calcification, more mitotic figures, and distinct dermal features from those of ordinary pilomatricoma. Immunohistochemically, the expression of Matrix Metalloprotease (MMP)-2, MMP-9, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), and VEGF-C was elevated. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The study was retrospective, and the sample size was small. CONCLUSION: The distinctive features of bullous pilomatricoma potentially result from dermal changes associated with the release of angiogenic factors and proteolytic enzymes. This comprehensive analysis provides novel insights into the clinical features and pathogenesis of bullous pilomatricoma.

Risk of Alopecia Areata After COVID-19.

This cohort study examines the incidence, prevalence, and risk of alopecia areata after COVID-19.

Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of bullous pilomatricoma: a retrospective, single-center study, and comparison with ordinary pilomatricoma

Abstract Background Bullous pilomatricoma is a rare variant of pilomatricoma. As it has been published in sporadic case reports, a limited understanding of its clinicopathological characteristics restricts its effective diagnosis and treatment. Objectives This study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of bullous pilomatricoma to better understand the bullous transformation of pilomatricoma. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective study of 12 patients with bullous pilomatricoma and compared their clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical data with those of patients with ordinary pilomatricoma. Results Bullous pilomatricoma showed no sex preference, with a mean onset age of 31.2 years. The common sites were the upper extremities and trunk. Bullous pilomatricoma had a shorter disease duration, a larger diameter, and a greater tendency to increase in size than those of ordinary pilomatricoma. Histopathologically, bullous pilomatricoma had a shorter duration, lesser calcification, more mitotic figures, and distinct dermal features from those of ordinary pilomatricoma. Immunohistochemically, the expression of Matrix Metalloprotease (MMP)-2, MMP-9, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), and VEGF-C was elevated. Study limitations The study was retrospective, and the sample size was small. Conclusion The distinctive features of bullous pilomatricoma potentially result from dermal changes associated with the release of angiogenic factors and proteolytic enzymes. This comprehensive analysis provides novel insights into the clinical features and pathogenesis of bullous pilomatricoma.

Three Cases of Recalcitrant Pediatric Tinea Capitis Successfully Treated with Griseofulvin.

Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp hair follicles and surrounding skin that primarily occurs in prepubertal children. Microsporum canis remains the most common pathogen causing tinea capitis in Asian countries, including South Korea, although the causative organism of this condition varies across geographical regions and time periods. Systemic antifungal agents are the mainstay treatments for tinea capitis; however, the therapeutic responses to antifungal drugs may vary depending on the causative species, and treatment failure may occur owing to drug resistance. Although dermatophytosis resistant to clinical treatment have been increasingly encountered, recalcitrant tinea capitis cases have rarely been reported. Herein, we report three cases of tinea capitis caused by M. canis in children. All three patients showed unsatisfactory clinical responses to prolonged courses of oral terbinafine or itraconazole without achieving mycological cure; however, they were successfully treated with oral griseofulvin. Although griseofulvin is not currently available or licensed for use in many countries, including South Korea, it is one of the most effective agents against Microsporum species and remains the most widely used first-line treatment for tinea capitis in children, based on dermatology textbooks and reliable treatment guidelines.

Facial tinea incognito: a clinical, dermoscopic and mycological study of 38 cases.

BACKGROUND: Tinea incognito (TI) is a dermatophytic infection of the skin that is modified by steroid use. As a result, it shows atypical clinical presentations that can lead to misdiagnosis. TI occurring on the face is most frequently misdiagnosed as cutaneous fungal infection, however, very limited information is available on facial TI. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to characterize the clinical, dermoscopic and mycological features of facial TI. MATERIALS & METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 38 patients with mycologically proven facial TI at a single institution in Korea between July, 2014 and July, 2021. RESULTS: The patients had a mean age of 59.6 ± 20.4 years and showed a slight female predominance (male-to-female ratio of 1:1.38). The most common clinical presentation was an eczema-like pattern (47.4%), followed by rosacea-like (15.8%), psoriasis-like (10.5%), lupus erythematosus-like (10.5%), cellulitis-like (7.9%), and folliculitis-like (7.9%) patterns. The mean duration from disease onset to diagnostic confirmation was 3.4 months. Overall, 78.9% of the patients had accompanying chronic systemic diseases, and 57.9% had concurrent tinea infections at other skin sites, mainly the feet and toenails. On dermoscopy, scales and dilated vascular patterns (arborizing vessels and telangiectasia) were commonly observed on glabrous skin, with follicular patterns, such as black dots, broken hairs, and empty follicles. The characteristic trichoscopic features were comma, corkscrew, Morse code-like, and translucent hairs. CONCLUSION: The clinical characteristics and distinct dermoscopic features described in this article may aid in the differential diagnosis of facial TI while reducing diagnostic delays and unnecessary treatments.

SIRT1 downregulation provokes immune-inflammatory responses in hair follicle outer root sheath cells and may contribute to development of alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), a type III histone deacetylase, is involved in various cutaneous and systemic autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. However, little is known about the role of SIRT1 in the development of alopecia areata (AA). OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether SIRT1 regulates the hair follicle immune system and is involved in AA pathogenesis. METHODS: SIRT1 expression in human scalp tissue was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining, qPCR, and western blotting. The regulatory effect of SIRT1 was evaluated after stimulation with the double-stranded RNA mimic polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) in hair follicle outer root sheath (ORS) cells and C3H/HeJ mice. RESULTS: SIRT1 expression was significantly reduced in the AA scalp compared to the normal scalp. SIRT1 inhibition upregulated MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A and UL16 binding protein 3 in hair follicle ORS cells. SIRT1 inhibition also promoted the production of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-α), IFN-inducible chemokines (CXCL9 and CXCL10), and T cell migration in ORS cells. Conversely, SIRT1 activation suppressed the autoreactive inflammatory responses. The counteractive effect of the immune response by SIRT1 was mediated through the deacetylation of NF-κB and phosphorylation of STAT3. CONCLUSION: SIRT1 downregulation induces immune-inflammatory responses in hair follicle ORS cells and may contribute to AA development.

Epidemiology and survival analysis of Merkel cell carcinoma in South Korea: a nationwide, multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer, of which most research has been conducted in Caucasians. Therefore, the clinicopathological features and prognosis of Merkel cell carcinoma in Asians are still scarce. The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemiology and survival of MCC in South Korea and provide representative information regarding MCC in Asia. METHODS: This was a retrospective, nationwide, multicenter study conducted in 12 centers across South Korea. Patients with pathologically proven MCC were included in the study. The clinicopathological features and clinical outcomes of the patients were investigated. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and independent prognostic factors were identified using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 161 patients with MCC were evaluated. The mean age was 71 years with a female predominance. OS was significantly different among the stages. Among clinicopathological features, multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that only the stage at diagnosis was associated with poorer overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that the incidence of MCC was higher in females than in males and that there was a higher rate of local disease at the time of diagnosis. Among the variable clinicopathological features, disease stage at diagnosis was the only significant prognostic factor for MCC in South Korea. The findings of this nationwide, multicenter study suggest that MCC has distinct features in South Korea compared with other countries.

Intravascular Papillary Endothelial Hyperplasia in Association with Eccrine Angiokeratomatous Hamartoma.

Eccrine angiokeratomatous hamartoma is a variant of eccrine angiomatous hamartoma. Histopathologically, it shows both features of eccrine angiomatous hamartoma with components of angiokeratoma. Eccrine angiokeratomatous hamartoma is extremely rare. Eccrine angiokeratomatous hamartoma in our case co-existed with intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia. This is the first reported case.

Association of adenotonsillar disease and adenotonsillectomy with the development of vitiligo: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: Vitiligo is a common acquired skin depigmentation disorder and is associated with various other autoimmune diseases which include thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Similarly, adenotonsillar disease (ATD) may induce inflammatory or autoimmune diseases in other organs which include the skin. However, the influence of ATD on the development of vitiligo has not been studied. Objectives: To determine the association between ATD and adenotonsillectomy, and the development of vitiligo. Design and methods: Using data from the National Health Insurance Service database, patients diagnosed with ATD between 2008 and 2010 were included in the study. We performed two rounds of 1:1 propensity score matching in the ATD and adenotonsillectomy groups. The ATD and non-ATD groups both included 206,514 individuals. Among the ATD group, the adenotonsillectomy and non-adenotonsillectomy groups both included 23,354 individuals. Each individual was monitored until 2019. The primary end point was the risk of vitiligo. Using the Cox Proportional Hazards model, the incidence of vitiligo and the hazard ratio (HR) were calculated. Results: The incidence of vitiligo was 1.16-fold higher in the ATD group than in the non-ATD group [adjusted HR (aHR), 1.16; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-1.24] and 0.82-fold lower in the adenotonsillectomy group than in the non-adenotonsillectomy group (aHR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68-0.99). Additionally, the other risk factors for developing vitiligo included thyroid disease (aHR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.11-1.98), age younger than 30 years (aHR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.09-1.27), and age over 60 years (aHR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06-1.41), whereas factors including rural residency (aHR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85-0.98) and low economic status (aHR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.82-0.93) were associated with decreased incidence of vitiligo. Conclusion: In this study, ATD increases the risk of vitiligo and adenotonsillectomy attenuates its development. Clinicians should consider ATD as a pathogenic factor for vitiligo and the potential effect of adenotonsillectomy in its management.

Cutaneous Mycobacterium massiliense Infection Caused by Skin Coining 'Gua Sha' in Korean Healthy Female.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are ubiquitous environmental organisms that are rare pathogens in immunocompetent individuals. However, cutaneous nontuberculous mycobacteria infections have been increasingly associated with invasive procedures, including surgery, liposuction, filler injection, intramuscular injection, mesotherapy, piercing, acupuncture, and cupping therapy. Herein, we report the first case of cutaneous nontuberculous mycobacteria infection caused by the East-Asian traditional treatment 'Gua Sha', also known as scraping, coining or spooning in English. A 35-year-old healthy female presented with widespread, painful skin nodules and pustules on her upper and lower extremities that had developed after Gua Sha treatment for body contouring. Histopathologic examination of the lesions revealed granulomatous inflammation in the dermis and the culture isolates were identified as Mycobacterium massiliense with molecular identification. The patient was successfully treated with intermittent incision and drainage of persistent nodules and oral clarithromycin based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing. We recommend implementation of a standard safety protocol for Gua Sha practitioners to minimize the risk of infection transmission.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and concurrent hand foot syndrome during treatment with capecitabine: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Capecitabine is used in combination with lapatinib as palliative treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 - positive metastatic breast cancer. The most frequently reported adverse events attributed to capecitabine include diarrhea, hyperbilirubinemia, and hand-foot syndrome (HFS). A number of cutaneous adverse events have been attributed to capecitabine, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) as a rare and potentially life-threatening mucocutaneous condition. We report the first case involving concurrent SJS and HFS after capecitabine and lapatinib treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 70-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer treatment visited our hospital for evaluation of painful skin lesions. Six weeks earlier, she had been prescribed capecitabine plus lapatinib as treatment for metastatic breast cancer. She subsequently developed worsening erythema and bullae on her palms and soles, as well as reddish macules on her back and chest wall. Histopathological evaluation of the chest wall lesions revealed extensive eosinophilic epidermal necrosis and separation of the epidermis from the dermis. The capecitabine plus lapatinib treatment was discontinued immediately and treatment was started using systemic steroids. This treatment resolved most lesions, although the lesions on her palms and soles required Vaseline gauze dressings, which resulted in re-epithelialization. Therefore, we determined that the patient had concurrent SJS and HFS. Although the dermatological problems resolved, the patient ultimately died because of multiple organ failure. CONCLUSION: Oral capecitabine treatment carries a risk of both HFS and also life-threatening adverse cutaneous drug reactions, such as SJS.

A Clinicohistopathological Analysis of Cutaneous Fibrous Histiocytomas of the Finger.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous fibrous histiocytoma (CFH) is a common, benign skin tumor predominantly occurring on the extremities or trunk. However, CFH on the finger is rare. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to examine the clinicohistopathological features of CFH of the finger. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 12 CFHs located on fingers in a tertiary hospital in Korea. All case slides were retrieved from saved files. RESULTS: Ages of the CHF of the finger affected individuals ranged from 9 to 48 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1.4:1. Picker's nodule or wart was the most common clinical diagnosis. In only 2 out of the 12 cases was the pre-biopsy diagnosis of CFH ventured. Fibrocollagenous type was the most common histological type. Majority of the cases were mitotically inactive, exhibiting only 0-1 mitoses per high-power field and there was no recurrence. Tumor cells were uniformly CD34 negative. CONCLUSION: Because CFH can resemble malignancies including dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, a lack of familiarity with the occurrence of CFH of the finger may lead to more aggressive treatment. Dermatologists should include CFH in their differential diagnosis of circumscribed nodules on the fingers to ensure proper management.

Bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss with Sweet syndrome: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Sweet syndrome (SS) is an idiopathic autoimmune disease which has been associated with various extracutaneous manifestations. Otologic symptoms secondary to SS are characterized by bilateral, progressive, sensorineural hearing loss, which requires auditory rehabilitation with, for example, cochlear implantation. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 43-year-old woman complaining of bilateral sudden hearing loss visited the Emergency Department of our University. Abrupt onset of fever peaking up to 40°C and vomiting accompanied the hearing loss and other associated symptoms were: tinnitus that sounded like a machine humming, mild dizziness, a painful rash (on the right upper eyelid, chest, back, forearms, and lower extremities), arthralgia in both the hip and knee joints, and vision loss in the right eye. The patient had no history of autoimmune diseases or surgery. DIAGNOSIS: Pure tone audiometry and biopsy on the skin lesion were performed. SS with bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss was confirmed. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with intravenous prednisolone and topical steroids. OUTCOMES: After a week of treatment, skin lesions had improved. And 3 months after treatment, the hearing test showed full recovery. CONCLUSION: This case emphasizes the point that early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential for hearing recovery in patients with SS who have otologic symptoms.