Cutis Verticis Gyrata and Alopecia Areata: A Synchronous Coincidence?

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a descriptive term for a scalp condition that is convoluted folds and deep furrows that resemble the surface of the cerebral cortex. It is categorized by the underlying etiology, as primary essential, primary non-essential and secondary. Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, organ specific autoimmune disease, and most AA cases are sporadic. There is clearly a strong genetic component. There is no established relationship between CVG and AA. We report one case which was affected with essential primary CVG and alopecia areata, and suggest a possibility of genetic association between CVG and AA, possibly both being related to mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2)

Complications Following BellaGen™ Injection

BellaGen™ is an injectable acellular dermal matrix granule derived from donated human skin tissue that was recently developed for soft tissue augmentation. Its use has been sporadically reported in penile girth enhancement procedures. Many cases of complications have been reported after injecting acellular dermal matrices like AlloDerm or SureDerm™ but few reports on complications associated with BellaGen™ injection. We report here on penile skin inflammation and necrosis following augmentation phalloplasty with BellaGen™, which developed 3 days after the injection and persisted for more than 2 weeks. The patient had a 15 year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and he was treated with oral antibiotics and wet dressings with KMNO4 solution to combine preservation of the remaining penile soft tissue with debridement of avascular tissue. The lesion improved with this treatment, but the patient experienced pain for about 2 weeks. All patients should be informed of the potential complications with the use of injectable acellular dermal matrices before treatment. Patient selection for augmentation is also important to have the most desirable results

Could a Growth Spurt Cause Linear Focal Elastosis Like Striae Distensae?

Linear focal elastosis (LFE) is characterized by several asymptomatic, yellow, palpable, irregularly indurated, striae-like lines extending horizontally across the middle and lower back. A focal increase in elastic fibers is a hallmark of the disease as seen from biopsy specimens. The pathogenesis of LFE is unclear, as is the association between LFE and striae distensae (SD). However, the prevailing opinion is that LFE represents an excessive regenerative process of elastic fibers and is analogous to keloidal repair of SD. Although the timing of onset of LFE and SD was not synchronous in our patient, the triggering factor was the same, which was the growth spurt. This case is supporting the putative association between LFE and SD

A Case of Cutaneous Bronchogenic Cyst Presenting with Lymphoid Follicles

Cutaneous bronchogenic cysts are rare, and stem from developmental abnormalities of the tracheobronchial tree. The condition is often misdiagnosed clinically, with the correct diagnosis usually established by histopathologic examination. Published reports of bronchogenic or branchial anomalies are increasing, and the traditional defining characteristics of location and histopathology are proving to be less reliable for the identification of cutaneous bronchogenic cysts. In this report, we describe a case of a cutaneous bronchogenic cyst that presented with unusual histologic features, and was associated with several lymphoid follicles

Tat peptide-admixed elastic liposomal formulation of hirsutenone for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice

Myung Joo Kang1, Jae Yoon Eum1, Mi Sook Jeong2, Sang Han Park1, Ki Young Moon1, Mean Hyung Kang1, Min Soo Kim1, Sun Eun Choi1, Min Won Lee1, Do Ik Lee1, Hyoweon Bang2, Chung Soo Lee2, Seong Soo Joo3, Kapsok Li2, Mi-Kyung Lee2, Seong Jun Seo2, Young Wook Choi11College of Pharmacy, ChungAng University, Heuksuk-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 2College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Heuksukdong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 3Division of Marine Molecular Biotechnology, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, South KoreaBackground: The aim of the present study was to enhance a topical delivery of hirsutenone (HST), a naturally occuring immunomodulator, employing Tat peptide-admixed elastic liposomes (EL/T).Methods: HST-loaded EL, consisting of phosphatidylcholine and Tween 80 (85:15 w/w%), were prepared using thin film hydration method. By adding Tat peptide to EL (0.16 w/w%), EL/T were formulated. The in vitro skin permeation of HST was examined using a Franz diffusion cell mounted with depilated mouse skin. Lesions for atopic dermatitis (AD) were induced by a topical application of diphenylcyclopropenone to NC/Nga mice. Therapeutic improvements of AD were evaluated by clinical skin severity scores. Immunological analyses on inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 levels in the skin and interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, immunoglobulin E, and eosinophil levels in the blood were also performed.Results: EL systems were superior to conventional cream, revealing greater flux values in a permeation study. The addition of Tat peptide further increased the skin permeation of HST. In an efficacy study with AD-induced NC/Nga mice, an HST-containing EL/T formulation brought a significant improvement in both skin severity score and immune-related responses for the levels of nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, IL-4, IL-13, immunoglobulin E, and eosinophils.Conclusion: A novel EL/T formulation was successfully developed for topical delivery of HST to treat AD.Keywords: hirsutenone, elastic liposomes, atopic dermatitis, NC/Nga mice, Tat peptid

Congenital Plaque-Like Glomangioma of the Scalp

Glomus tumors are classified in to glomangiomas, glomus tumors, or glomangiomyomas according to the predominant histologic component present, that is, vascular spaces, glomus cells, or smooth muscle fibers. Here, we describe a case of congenital plaque–type glomangioma with foci of mature smooth muscle differentiation on the scalp.Yanagi T, 2006, ACTA DERM-VENEREOL, V86, P267, DOI 10.2340/00015555-0067Parsons ME, 1997, INT J DERMATOL, V36, P894PORTER PL, 1991, MODERN PATHOL, V4, P46LANDTHALER M, 1990, ARCH DERMATOL, V126, P1203