Ho-Suk Sung

β-Catenin expression in the transitional cell zone of pilomatricoma

Background β‐Catenin, a participant in the Wnt pathway, has been shown to play an important role in the morphogenesis of hair follicles and the formation of hair follicle‐related tumours, including pilomatricomas. It has been observed that at least 75% of human pilomatricomas possess activating mutations in β‐catenin. These findings suggested that β‐catenin plays an important role in the tumorigenesis of pilomatricomas. However, the pattern of β‐catenin expression in pilomatricoma tissues is still unclear.

Reactive Vascular Lesions Treated Using Ethanolamine Oleate Sclerotherapy

BACKGROUND Ethanolamine oleate (EO) is used infrequently in dermatology, but is used to treat vascular lesions such as esophageal varices, varicose veins, and congenital vascular malformations. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of EO for treating reactive vascular lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with reactive vascular lesions, such as pyogenic granulomas or venous lakes, were enrolled. EO was used as a sclerosing agent in a 1:1 dilution with normal saline. According to the response, treatment was repeated with EO with less or no dilution. The treatment response was scored as complete remission (CR), moderate improvement (MI), or no change according to the clinical results; any side effects were recorded. RESULTS The efficacy of EO was evaluated in 21 patients (16 pyogenic granulomas and 5 venous lakes). The diameters of the lesions ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 cm. The mean number of EO injections was 1.6 (range 1–4). A CR was achieved in 95% of the reactive vascular lesions (20 CR, 1 MI). Two episodes of transient pain occurred. CONCLUSION EO is an excellent sclerosing agent for treating reactive vascular lesions, and it may be an alternative therapy for vascular lesions in dermatology. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Serum levels of IL‐18 and sIL‐2R in patients with alopecia areata receiving combined therapy with oral cyclosporine and steroids

Please cite this paper as: Serum levels of IL‐18 and sIL‐2R in patients with alopecia areata receiving combined therapy with oral cyclosporine and steroids. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 145–147.

A case of hypermelanosis in a phylloid pattern

Pigmentary anomalies display a variety of different patterns. The phylloid pattern is characterized by a leaf-shaped arrangement reminiscent of floral ornaments. We describe a 20-year-old Korean man with hyperpigmented oblong patches and atypically short, thick hairs in a phylloid pattern on the face, the left shoulder, and the left side of the trunk. Associated musculoskeletal anomalies included equinovarus deformities, bilateral club foot, lumbar lordosis, spina bifida, and relative hypertrophy of the right thigh muscles.

Steatocystoma Multiplex Confined to the Scalp with Concurrent Alopecia

Steatocystoma multiplex (SM) is an uncommon disorder of the pilosebaceous unit characterized by the development of numerous sebum-containing dermal cysts which rarely involves the scalp. Here, we report a case of a 50-year-old man with multiple cystic nodules and alopecic patches on his scalp. On histopathological examination, the folded cyst was found to be lined by stratified squamous epithelium, while flattened sebaceous gland cells were identified in the cystic wall. Pigment casts were present in the hair papillae and perifollicular regions, suggesting trichotillomania as a possible cause of the observed alopecia. This case appears to represent an unusual clinical manifestation of SM.

Two cases of confluent and reticulated papillomatosis with an unusual location.

Sir, Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis (CRP) is a rare dermatosis of unknown origin characterized by hyperpigmented, confluent papules. The sites of predilection are the neck, inter-mammary area and abdomen (1). Rarely, CRP develops at the other sites, such as the knee, elbow, hand, and antecubital and popliteal fossae (2, 3). We describe two rare cases of CRP that developed at the elbow and popliteal fossae.

A Hydroxyurea-induced Leg Ulcer

Hydroxyurea is a cytostatic agent that has recently become the drug of choice in the treatment of various myeloproliferative diseases. The cutaneous side effects of hydroxyurea include xerosis, hyperpigmentation, nail discoloration, and scaling. Leg ulcers have only rarely been reported in association with hydroxyurea treatment. A 75-year-old woman presented with leg ulcers, nail discoloration, and xerosis. The leg ulcers were refractory to conventional treatment. She had been taking oral hydroxyurea since being diagnosed with essential thrombocytosis in 2002. Hence, we suspected hydroxyurea-induced leg ulcers and discontinued her hydroxyurea treatment; the ulcers gradually healed thereafter. We present a rare case of hydroxyurea-induced leg ulcers in Korea.

Syringomas Treated by Intralesional Insulated Needles without Epidermal Damage.

Syringoma is a benign adnexal tumor derived from intradermal eccrine ducts; it predominantly occurs in women at puberty or later in life. Although syringoma is a common benign neoplasm, there have been no effective therapies for its removal. Conventional therapies for syringomas, including surgical excision, electrodessication, chemical peeling, topical atropine or tretinoin, cryosurgery, and laser therapy, can lead to cosmetic defects such as hyperpigmentation or scarring due to epidermal damage. In contrast, treatment using intralesional insulated needles, which are insulated at the point of epidermal contact, has been shown to result in good cosmetic outcomes due to selective destruction of dermal lesions. This could be an effective and highly satisfying treatment for syringomas. We herein present 2 patients with syringomas treated with intralesional insulated needles.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans arising from a burn scar.

Malignant neoplasms arising in burn scars are well known. In previous literature, 25 cases of burn scar sarcomas were reported. However, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is very rare and only two cases have been reported. A 43-year-old Korean man presented with multiple erythematous clustered plaques and nodules and a skin-colored subcutaneous mass on the chest after a severe burn injury at the age of 8 years. A biopsy specimen revealed dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. The tumor was excised widely to include the surrounding burn scar. Herein, we report this third case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans arising from a burn scar.

Pulsed Dye Laser-Resistant Capillary Malformation Treated Using Intradermal Sclerotherapy with Ethanolamine Oleate after Intense Pulsed Light Treatment

For PDL-resistant capillary malformation, a longpulse 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser with intense pulsed light (IPL) can be used. Because the 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser can penetrate deeper into the skin, it is used for PDL-resistant capillary malformation with a purple or blue tinge, with or without thicker overlying skin. Although an alexandrite laser was recently reported as being effective for capillary malformation, some cases do not respond to laser therapy.