Pigmented contact dermatitis and hair dyes: A retrospective case-control multicentre study in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Pigmented contact dermatitis (PCD), a rare variant of non-eczematous contact dermatitis, is clinically characterized by sudden-onset brown or grey pigmentation on the face and neck. It is hypothesized to be caused by repeated contact with low levels of allergens. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the risk of using hair dyes in patients with PCD in Korea. METHODS: A total of 1033 PCD patients and 1366 controls from 31 university hospitals were retrospectively recruited. We collected and analysed the data from the patient group, diagnosed through typical clinical findings of PCD and the control group, which comprised age/sex-matched patients who visited the participating hospitals with pre-existing skin diseases other than current allergic disease or PCD. RESULTS: Melasma and photosensitivity were significantly more common in the control group, and a history of contact dermatitis was more common in the PCD group. There were significantly more Fitzpatrick skin type V participants in the PCD group than in the control group. There was no significant difference in sunscreen use between the groups. Using dermatologic medical history, Fitzpatrick skin type and sunscreen use as covariates, we showed that hair dye use carried a higher PCD risk (odds ratio [OR] before adjustment: 2.06, confidence interval [CI]: 1.60-2.65; OR after adjustment: 2.74, CI: 1.88-4.00). Moreover, henna users had a higher risk of PCD (OR before adjustment: 5.51, CI: 4.07-7.47; OR after adjustment: 7.02, CI: 4.59-10.74), indicating a significant increase in the risk of PCD with henna dye use. Contact dermatitis history was more prevalent in henna users than in those using other hair dyes in the PCD group (17.23% vs. 11.55%). CONCLUSION: Hair dye use is a risk factor for PCD. The risk significantly increased when henna hair dye was used by those with a history of contact dermatitis.

Dermoscopic findings and histopathological correlation in large cell acanthoma.

Since large cell acanthoma (LCA) has many overlapping clinical and histopathological features with other epidermal pigmented tumours, an additional method to differentiate it would be of great clinical significance. A retrospective study was performed on 33 lesions (26 patients) to identify distinct dermoscopic findings of LCA and to describe dermoscopic-histopathological correlations. The results revealed that dermoscopy significantly aids in the distinction of LCA from other epidermal tumours included in the differential diagnosis. Yellow opaque homogeneous background, brown dots, and moth-eaten border are common findings, and prominent skin markings and short white streaks are additional distinguishing features. Several important findings that are common in other diseases are rare in LCA.

Human papillomavirus genotype distribution of genital keratotic lesions.

Genital keratotic lesions include bowenoid papulosis (BP), which histologically resembles squamous cell carcinoma in situ containing high-risk HPV, condyloma acuminatum (CA) that is a genital wart containing mostly low-risk HPV, and genital seborrheic keratosis (GSK), which is a benign epidermal tumour lacking a clear etiologic relationship with HPV. This study compared HPV genotype distributions among BP, CA and GSK and revealed that BP and GSK were related to high-risk HPV whereas CA was related to low-risk HPV. It is plausible that GSK is a distinct epidermal tumour often related to high-risk HPV rather than merely a senescent form of CA considering the overall discrepancy in the frequency distribution of HPV genotypes along with histopathological differences, and the detection of high-risk HPV in GSK alerts physicians to consider more active treatment and continued follow-ups.

Clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of 223 patients with mycosis fungoides at a single tertiary center in Korea: A 29-year review.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding Asian patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) are limited. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the clinical profile and long-term outcomes of patients with MF in Korea. METHODS: A retrospective review of 223 patients with MF who were followed up for more than 6 months or died of MF within 6 months of diagnosis was performed. RESULTS: Approximately 96.4% and 3.6% of the patients had an early stage and advanced stage, respectively. The mean age at diagnosis was 44.8 years. The mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 47.0 months. Various subtypes were noted, including mycosis fungoides palmaris et plantaris (21.5%), folliculotropic (8.5%), pityriasis lichenoides-like (6.7%), ichthyosiform (4.0%), lichenoid purpura-like (2.7%), and hypopigmented (2.2%) MF. Juvenile patients accounted for 16.6%. The higher the skin T stage, the poorer the response to treatment. The 10-year overall survival was 96.8% in early-stage patients and 25.0% in advanced-stage patients. General prognosis was favorable, while recurrence and subtype switching were seen in 29.4% and 2.7% of patients, respectively. LIMITATIONS: Our patients may not represent all Korean patients with MF. CONCLUSION: MF in Korea has a high proportion of variants, a younger age at onset, and favorable prognosis. A high index of suspicion and skin biopsy are needed for early diagnosis.

Dermoscopic findings of genital keratotic lesions: Bowenoid papulosis, seborrheic keratosis, and condyloma acuminatum.

Dermatologists often encounter keratotic or warty lesions in the genital area. Establishing a clear diagnosis may seem challenging, particularly when the differential diagnosis includes bowenoid papulosis, seborrheic keratosis, and condyloma acuminatum. This study aimed to compare the dermoscopic features of bowenoid papulosis (BP), seborrheic keratosis, and condyloma acuminatum in the genital area. All lesions histopathologically confirmed underwent clinical assessment and dermoscopic observation. Dermoscopically, glomerular vessels were predominant in bowenoid papulosis, whereas seborrheic keratosis was the least vascular-patterned disease. Most cases of bowenoid papulosis presented mucosal pigmentation and classified as "flat". Seborrheic keratosis had a pigmented, cerebriform appearance. Condyloma acuminatum was characterised by a finger-like appearance, highly vascular-patterned features surrounded by whitish halos. Dermoscopic findings can be useful for differentiating the entity of genital keratotic lesions ahead of an invasive method. When dermoscopic features favor BP, different from genital warts, it should be removed completely but conservatively.

The effectiveness of high-dose ultraviolet A-1 phototherapy for acute exacerbation of atopic dermatitis in Asians.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by a chronic course of exacerbations and remissions. High-dose ultraviolet A-1 (UVA-1) phototherapy has been effective in the treatment of acute exacerbations of AD. However, there have been no case studies in Asian patients to date. We investigated the effectiveness of high-dose UVA-1 phototherapy for treating acute exacerbation of AD in Asian patients. METHOD: This study included 16 patients with acute exacerbation of AD. High-dose (100 J/cm2 ) regimens of UVA-1 therapy were employed. Therapeutic effectiveness was assessed based on the findings of clinical examinations and scoring of AD (SCORAD) index before treatment and after the 5th and 10th sessions of treatment. Additionally, side effects and recurrence during follow-up were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The patients were between 7 and 50 years of age, with a mean age of 25.8 years. The SCORAD index was between 41 and 89.5, with a mean score of 64.9. Among the 16 patients, two patients discontinued treatment due to the aggravation of erythema and pruritus. Of the 14 patients who completed the 10 sessions of high-dose UVA-1 phototherapy, nine patients (64.3%) showed complete remission and five patients (35.7%) showed partial remission. The mean SCORAD index reduced from 64.9 (before treatment) to 23.3 (after the 10th session of treatment). CONCLUSION: This is the first case study of high-dose UVA-1 phototherapy for acute exacerbation of AD in Asian patients, suggesting that high-dose UVA-1 phototherapy can be a well-tolerated and effective treatment for acute exacerbated AD. Future large-scale prospective studies are needed.

Low-dose Methotrexate Treatment for Solitary or Localized Primary Cutaneous Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: A Long-term Follow-up Study.

Although low-dose methotrexate (MTX) has been used widely in treatment of a variety of dermatological diseases, including multifocal primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PCALCL), it has not been established for use in the treatment guidelines for solitary or localized PCALCL. Furthermore, there has been no report of long-term follow-up data in Asian patients with PCALCL treated with low-dose MTX. To investigate the effectiveness and clinical outcome of treatment with low-dose MTX, clinical and long-term follow-up data of 7 patients with solitary or localized PCALCL were analysed retrospectively. Of the 7 patients, 6 (85.7%) showed a complete response and 1 (14.3%) showed partial remission. During follow-up, mean duration of 92.1 months, 5 patients developed one or more cutaneous relapses. At the last follow-up, all of the patients with PCALCL were alive without disease. These results indicate that low-dose MTX is a highly effective and safe treatment for solitary or localized PCALCL as well as multiple relapsed lesions.

A Case Report on the Dermoscopic Features of Spark's Nevus.

Spark's nevus is a compound word composed of Spitz nevus and Clark's nevus. It is one of the combined melanocytic nevi which is more common in female and usually presents as a sharp circumscribed hyperpigmented macule on the lower extremities. On histopathologic findings, both cytologic features of Spitz nevus characterized as large spindle or epithelioid melanocytes containing large nuclei with abundant cytoplasm, and architecture of Clark's nevus characterized as elongation of rete ridges, bridging of the nests, concentric and lamellar fibrosis can be seen. A 24-year-old female presented with an asymptomatic, solitary, dark-brown-colored papule surrounded by brownish patch that looked similar to dysplastic nevus or malignant melanoma on the buttock. On dermoscopic examination, it showed brown-to-black globules, diffuse homogenous pigmentation with blue-white structures, and a surrounding brownish reticular pattern that faded away. On histopathologic findings, overall asymmetrical structure, epithelioid large melanocytes containing large nuclei with abundant cytoplasm, and Kamino body were seen in the central portion. Also, lentiginous hyperplasia, bridging of the nests composed of melanocytes containing foamy cytoplasm, concentric and lamellar fibrosis along with the elongation of rete ridge, and perivascular lymphocytic infiltration were seen in the peripheral portion. The diagnosis of Spark's nevus was made. Following its definition, this combined nevus is diagnosed histopathologically, but the clinicodermoscopic features have not been well described. Herein, we report a case of Spark's nevus in which dermoscopy was helpful for differentiating it from malignant melanoma.

Erratum: Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides in 20 Korean Cases: Clinical and Histopathologic Features and Response to Ultraviolet A-1 and/or Photodynamic Therapy.

[This corrects the article on p. 192 in vol. 30, PMID: 29606817.].

Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides in 20 Korean Cases: Clinical and Histopathologic Features and Response to Ultraviolet A-1 and/or Photodynamic Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a variant of mycosis fungoides (MF) that is characterized clinically by variable types of skin eruptions, including plaques, acneiform lesions, and alopecic patches. Histopathologically, FMF is characterized by folliculotropic infiltrates. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to scrutinize the clinical and histopathologic features of FMF in Koreans and the responses to phototherapy. METHODS: Twenty Koreans diagnosed with MF who had histopathologic evidence of folliculotropism were enrolled. RESULTS: Eighteen patients had head-and-neck-region infiltration, while five had solitary lesion. In all patients, the atypical lymphocytic infiltrate had a perifollicular distribution. Twelve patients were treated with ultraviolet A (UVA)-1. Eleven of these 12 patients with early-stage FMF experienced >80% improvement (8: complete remission; 3: partial remission). Four patients, including 2 who relapsed after UVA-1, were treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT), reaching complete remission after PDT. CONCLUSION: As FMF has variable clinical presentations, skin biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis. And both UVA-1 and methyl aminolevulinate-PDT are clinically effective in treatment of early-stage FMF.

Histopathologic Finding of Perieschar Lesions in Tsutsugamushi Disease Shows Lymphocytic Vasculitis Mimicking Angiocentric Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Tsutsugamushi disease is an acute, febrile, infectious disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. Several studies investigating the histopathologic findings of eschars in tsutsugamushi disease reported leukocytoclastic vasculitis and neutrophil infiltration as the major findings. However, these findings may result from secondary changes following tissue necrosis. The histopathologic findings of perieschar lesions may be important to understand the primary changes associated with tsutsugamushi disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate characteristic histopathologic features of perieschar lesions and suppose the mechanism of vascular pathophysiological changes associated with tsutsugamushi disease. METHODS: We analyzed histopathological slides of perieschar lesions in 12 patients diagnosed with tsutsugamushi disease. RESULTS: In the epidermis, exocytosis of mononuclear cells (75.0%) and basal vacuolar changes (66.7%) were frequent. In the dermis, perivascular, interstitial, and perineural mononuclear cell infiltration (100.0%, 83.3%, and 83.3%, respectively), as well as thrombosis (83.3%), atypical lymphocyte infiltration (91.7%), and mitotic figures (83.3%) were commonly seen. Lymphocytic vasculitis and mononuclear cell infiltration around eccrine glands were found in all cases, but eosinophil infiltration was only found in one patient (8.3%). However, the characteristic findings of eschar lesions, such as leukocytoclastic vasculitis and neutrophil infiltration, were not found in perieschar lesions. CONCLUSION: The major histopathologic findings in the perieschar lesions of tsutsugamushi disease were lymphocytic vasculitis and atypical lymphocytic infiltration, mimicking lymphoma. Therefore, we suggest that this lesion should be added to the list of pseudolymphomas. To observe these characteristic histopathologic features, we also recommend that skin biopsies should be performed on perieschar lesions, not eschar lesions.