ABSTRACT
Recent studies recommend pegylated interferon alpha2a as the first choice treatment for chronic hepatitis B, especially when the patient is negative for HBeAg. Pegylated interferon alpha is known to show variable side effects including skin symptoms, with alopecia as the most common dermatologic side effect experienced for 10% up to 36%. pcc) Most alopecia cases related to pegylated interferon alpha were presented with telogen effluvium pattern, but alopecia areata cases are reported rarely. In this case, typically localized alopecia areata was presented with pegylated interferon alpha2a treatment in hepatitis B patient, and the course of alopecia areata seemed to be related with administration and discontinuation of pegylated interferon alpha2a.
Subject(s)
Humans , Alopecia Areata , Alopecia , Hepatitis B , Hepatitis B e Antigens , Hepatitis B, Chronic , Hepatitis, Chronic , Interferon-alpha , Interferons , SkinABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Laser therapy for various skin conditions is one of the most common procedures in dermatology. Recently, several articles described the use of 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers for the treatment of benign skin lesions. Such treatment is known to trigger its therapeutic effect through a photoacoustic effect and selective photothermolysis effect. However, only a limited number of articles have dealt with the theoretical base of the photoacoustic effect of the 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. OBJECTIVE: To compare the wound repair process and nonselective tissue heat damage induced by three different laser modalities: the CO2 laser, Er:YAG laser, and 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. METHODS: We irradiated the skin of an albino rat (Sprague Dawley(R), 200~250 g) with CO2, Er:YAG, and 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers. Skin biopsy specimens of the irradiated areas were collected on the first, fifth, and tenth day after laser exposure. For histologic analysis, the specimens were stained with the H&E, Verhoff-Van Gieson, and Masson's trichrome protocols. RESULTS: Compared with other laser modalities, rat skin irradiated by the 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser showed the least amount of heat damage and the quickest tissue repair response to the damage. CONCLUSION: A 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with a photoacoustic effect capable of ablating the epidermis and dermis can be a proper treatment modality for the removal of benign skin lesions. The 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser may be considered as an alternative treatment option for the treatment of benign skin lesions.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Biopsy , Dermatology , Dermis , Epidermis , Hot Temperature , Laser Therapy , Lasers, Gas , Skin , Wounds and InjuriesABSTRACT
Green nail syndrome (chromonychia) is a nail disorder characterized by onycholysis and green-black discoloration of the nail bed. This condition is often associated with chronic paronychia. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most commonly identified organism in cultures from the affected area. Despite the various treatment options available, removal of the nail is still necessary in many cases. A 35-year-old man presented with dark-greenish discoloration of the nail plate and onycholysis on the left thumbnail. He had been treated with oral antifungal and antibiotic agents for several months; however, the lesion showed no improvement. The diagnosis of green nail syndrome was established after a positive bacterial culture, and on the basis of the antibiotic sensitivity test result, tobramycin eye drop (Tobrex(R)) was then prescribed. Three weeks later, the nail discoloration almost vanished but the onycholysis remained. Herein, we recommend the application of tobramycin eye drop as an easy and safe treatment option for green nail syndrome.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Diagnosis , Onycholysis , Paronychia , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , TobramycinABSTRACT
Amyloidosis is a group of disorders resulting from the extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils in tissues and organs. Primary systemic amyloidosis may be myeloma-associated or idiopathic. It involves the kidney, heart, liver, peripheral nerves, autonomic nervous system and skin. We report a case of a 76 year-old woman with primary systemic amyloidosis who suffered from ecchymotic purpura on the periorbital, flexural area with hemorrhagic bulla, and macroglossia for two years. She showed typical symptoms of AL amyloidosis, and while primary systemic amyloidosis was suspected from electrophoresis results, no amyloid was found in the skin, tongue, and bone marrow. Upon her admission due to panperitonitis from diverticulitis, she was diagnosed with primary systemic amyloidosis after amyloid deposition was confirmed in the skin and colon biopsy. She had been treated with bortezomib, but she expired from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus septic shock.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Amyloid , Amyloidosis , Autonomic Nervous System , Biopsy , Blister , Bone Marrow , Boronic Acids , Colon , Diverticulitis , Electrophoresis , Heart , Kidney , Liver , Macroglossia , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus , Peripheral Nerves , Plaque, Amyloid , Purpura , Pyrazines , Shock, Septic , Skin , Tongue , BortezomibABSTRACT
Plasma cell balanitis (Balanitis circumscripta plasmacellularis or Zoon's balanitis) is an idiopathic, benign condition of the glans penis or prepuce. It occurs mostly as a solitary, persistent plaque among middle-aged to older uncircumcised males. It is characterized by chronic, shiny, smooth, red-orange plaques with small, dark red stippling. When the plasma cell balanitis is suspected clinically, diagnosis can be readily confirmed by microscopic examinations of the lesion. Differentiating this lesion from similar lesions such as premalignant, infective and other inflammatory penile lesions is important. The current preferred treatment is circumcision and this disorder can be treated relatively easily by circumcision. We, herein, report an interesting case of plasma cell balanitis on preputial mucosa.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Balanitis , Circumcision, Male , Mucous Membrane , Penis , Plasma , Plasma CellsABSTRACT
Keratosis follicularis squamosa (Dohi) is a keratinizing disorder which is a separate clinical entity from keratosis follicularis (Darier's disease). It occurs predominantly in Japanese and appears clinically as scaly patches of 3~10 mm in diameter with brownish follicular plugs in the center, which are symmetrically scattered on the trunks and thighs. Scales on the margin, slightly detached from the underlying epidermis, look like 'lotus leaves on the water'. The efficacy of minocycline has already been confirmed in many cases. In this report, we describe a case of using 1% of pimecrolimus cream for keratosis follicularis squamosa (Dohi) instead of minocycline.
Subject(s)
Humans , Asian People , Darier Disease , Epidermis , Keratins , Keratosis , Minocycline , Tacrolimus , Thigh , Weights and MeasuresABSTRACT
Vitiligo universalis is an uncommon variant that is rarely seen. Interestingly, vitiligo universalis often accompanies systemic diseases such as endocrinopathies. A 43-year-old man presented with whole body depigmentation and poliosis affecting most of his scalp and body hair. He had undergone a liver transplant 2 years ago due to liver cirrhosis from a chronic hepatitis B infection and has been treated for diabetes mellitus for several years. Histopathology showed no melanocytes and an absence of epidermal pigmentation on the skin. We herein report a rare case of vitiligo universalis associated with chronic viral hepatitis B.