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N Misago

Publications and source records attributed to N Misago.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The importance of serum creatine phosphokinase level in the early diagnosis, and as a prognostic factor, of Vibrio vulnificus infection.

BACKGROUND: Vibrio vulnificus infection causes rapidly progressive skin lesions and sepsis in compromised hosts with liver cirrhosis, and is often fatal. Early diagnosis and rapid treatment are important. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the characteristics of V. vulnificus infection that distinguish it from other cutaneous and soft-tissue bacterial infections and to confirm that serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels are useful in early diagnosis, and are a prognostic factor for, V. vulnificus infection. METHODS: We analysed the clinical and laboratory findings (especially serum CPK levels) in eight patients with V. vulnificus infection who were treated at the Saga Medical School Hospital between January 1989 and December 1999. RESULTS: All eight patients had liver dysfunction and typical skin manifestations. Six had eaten raw seafood before onset. Seven patients had initial skin manifestations in their legs or feet and eventually died, despite prompt therapy in the intensive care unit. CPK levels of six of these seven patients were already elevated at their initial presentation. Only one patient, with skin manifestations solely on his left hand, showed and maintained a normal CPK level and survived. In 23 patients with cutaneous and soft-tissue infections (10 with necrotizing fasciitis, three with erysipelas, 10 with cellulitis), only three patients with necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) showed CPK elevation. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of serum CPK in cutaneous or soft-tissue bacterial infection is considered useful for an early diagnosis of V. vulnificus infection and STSS. A history of eating raw seafood, underlying liver disease and multiple lesions suggest a diagnosis of V. vulnificus infection, rather than STSS.

Adult↗

Sebaceous carcinoma with apocrine differentiation.

A 54-year-old male had a dome-shaped and skin-colored nodule on his nose. Histopathologically, we diagnosed this neoplasm as a low-grade sebaceous carcinoma rather than a sebaceoma based on the scanning magnification and cytology. This low-grade sebaceous carcinoma was associated with glandular structures. We regarded the glandular structures as those of apocrine glandular differentiation based on 1) the histopathologic features of the glandular structures formed by columnar luminal cells with evidence of decapitation secretion; 2) the expression of cytokeratin (CK) 19, CK8, CK8/18, and CK7 in the luminal cells; 3) the positive reaction of carcinoembryonic antigen and epithelial membrane antigen on the luminal surface and in the cytoplasm of the luminal cells; and 4) the common embryologic origin of the folliculosebaceous-apocrine unit. We found CK15 expression in undifferentiated cells within the mantles of normal hair follicles, suggesting that sebaceous stem cells might exist in mantles as follicular stem cells exist in bulge areas. Pluripotent stem cells in the folliculosebaceous-apocrine unit can give rise to follicular stem cells, sebaceous stem cells, and apocrine stem cells. Our patient's neoplasm showed apocrine glandular differentiation and partial immunohistochemical positivity for CK15 in the neoplastic aggregations. We believe this neoplasm originated from pluripotent stem cells destined to become sebaceous stem cells or from sebaceous stem cells, which also have the ability to differentiate within apocrine glands.

Adenocarcinoma, Sebaceous↗

Rippled-pattern sebaceoma.

A 71-year-old woman had a dome-shaped, slightly erythematous nodule on the anterior scalp. The nodule histopathologically revealed sebaceoma based on the silhouette and cytology. A notable and unique finding was often observed in the aggregations of sebaceoma; an arrangement of small, monomorphous, cigar-shaped basaloid cells in linear rows parallel to one another, resembling the palisading of nuclei of Verocay bodies, namely a rippled-pattern. Although we are not certain that sebaceoma can be clearly separated from trichoblastoma with sebaceous differentiation in all cases, in the present case, the absence of an abundant and densely fibrotic stroma, of follicular differentiation, and of a palisading border in the neoplastic aggregations as well as the presence of many vacuolated cells and tiny duct-like spaces favors the diagnosis of sebaceoma rather than trichoblastoma with sebaceous differentiation. Based on the expression patterns of CKs as well as similar cytological features between germinative cells in our case and immature cells in the mantles of normal vellus follicles, we believe that rippled-pattern sebaceoma is composed of immature sebaceous germinative cells with some foci of advanced sebaceous differentiation (toward the sebaceous duct and sebaceous lobule).

Aged↗

Sebaceous carcinoma, trichoblastoma, and sebaceoma with features of trichoblastoma in nevus sebaceus.

A 73-year-old woman had a linear yellowish plaque on the upper part of her right ear since birth. She presented because of the sudden growth of a nodule within the plaque. The plaque was waxy and yellowish, arching around the upper part of the ear. A reddish to yellowish large nodule was seen within the central part of the arc-shaped plaque; in addition, a small pigmented nodule, a small skin-colored nodule, and a few pigmented papules were observed in the anterior half of the arched plaque. Histopathologic examination revealed the large nodule to be sebaceous carcinoma, the small pigmented nodule to be trichoblastoma, the small skin-colored nodule to be sebaceoma with the features of trichoblastoma, a few pigmented papules to be superficial trichoblastomas due to primitive follicular induction, and the linear yellowish plaque to be nevus sebaceus. Although our literature search revealed scanty reports of definite cases of sebaceous carcinoma in nevus sebaceus, the presented case demonstrated the occurrence of sebaceous carcinoma in nevus sebaceus. Malignant neoplasms occurring in nevus sebaceous seem to be extremely rare, but care should be taken when a large nodule suddenly grows in a lesion of nevus sebaceus, especially in older adults. The presented case also suggested a close relation between trichoblastoma and sebaceoma. The cytokeratin staining pattern could not distinguish between sebaceous and follicular neoplasms in our case.

Aged↗

Basal cell carcinoma in association with multiple trichoepitheliomas.

We report the case of a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) associated with multiple trichoepitheliomas (TEs) and include the results of histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. The patient had a large, pigmented nodule associated with 4 flesh-colored papules in the central facial area. Two of the 4 flesh-colored papules and the large pigmented nodule were excised. Histopathologically, the pigmented nodule was diagnosed as BCC and 2 of the papular lesions were diagnosed as TEs. In both the BCC and TEs, almost all of the basaloid aggregations were diffusely positive for cytokeratin (CK) 19, CK8 and CK8/18. Based on these clinicopathological observations and reports in the recent literature, these two neoplasms are considered to be highly related. BCC appears to differentiate toward follicular germinative cells, and TE is its benign counterpart.

Adult↗

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa: therapy and clinical course in four cases.

Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (PN) has a benign and chronic course; relapses are frequently associated with steroid dependence. We have observed four cases of cutaneous PN in the past 15 years and followed up two of the four cases long-term for 13 and 10 years after diagnosis. There has been a marked contrast in the clinical courses of these two cases: one case has shown a complete remission for 12.5 years without treatment during the most recent 11 years; the other case had four relapses and has never experienced cessation of treatment. The only difference between the two cases was careful therapy with adequate prednisolone in the long-term remission case. The other two cases clinically showed erythema nodosum-like features, and they had antecedent sore throats and embedded chronic tonsillitis; one was associated with presumed streptococcal infection. These two cases may simply be an accelerated process of post-streptococcal erythema nodosum rather than typical cutaneous PN. We performed tonsillectomies as adjuvant therapy in these two cases. No relapse of the disease has been observed in these two cases, and the tonsillectomy allowed us to taper the dose of steroids, resulting in discontinuation of the treatment in one of the two cases. The duration of the remission as well as the adjuvant therapy was variable in each of our cutaneous PN cases. Tonsillectomy can be recommended as an adjuvant to steroids for PN cases with chronic tonsillitis and/or streptococcal infection.

Adolescent↗

Sebaceous neoplasms in Muir-Torre syndrome.

A 59-year-old Japanese woman presented with two sebaceous neoplasms on the chest wall and on the left cheek. The patient had a history of ascending colon cancer, and her mother had died of gastric cancer. The histopathologic features of both sebaceous neoplasms were vaguely in accordance with those of sebaceous adenoma and sebaceoma. Based on these findings, we diagnosed the patient as having Muir-Torre syndrome. The sebaceous neoplasm on the chest wall exhibited features of a sebaceous adenoma with a unique cystic appearance, namely cystic sebaceous adenoma, which has been reported as a specific marker for Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS). However, histopathologically, both the sebaceous adenoma and sebaceoma had relatively large, vesicular or heterochromous and crowded nuclei with some pleomorphism and distinct nucleoli associated with some mitotic figures, casting doubt on their benignancy. We show that some or most benign sebaceous neoplasms in MTS might have a high potential for malignant transformation or may be well-differentiated sebaceous carcinomas with low-grade malignancy, mimicking sebaceous adenoma/sebaceoma. This results in difficulties in classification regarding sebaceous neoplasms in MTS.

Adenoma↗

The relationship between melanocytes and peripheral nerve sheath cells (Part I): melanocytic nevus (excluding so-called "blue nevus") with peripheral nerve sheath differentiation.

Among thousands of specimens of melanocytic nevi, not including giant congenital melanocytic nevus or blue nevus, 42 melanocytic nevi that showed peripheral nerve sheath differentiation were collected. The patterns of melanocytic nevi with peripheral nerve sheath differentiation may be classified into three groups: 1) "neurotized and neural nevi" with nests of "neuroid cords" and "nevic corpuscles" (the most common pattern); 2) nerve fascicle-like structures with no relation to neurotized and neural nevi; and 3) palisading melanocytes of a nevus in nests of conventional melanocytic nevi (a rare pattern). Each pattern may represent a different expression of nerve sheath differentiation in melanocytic nevi. Some melanocytic nevi with nerve fascicle-like structures show discrete structures closely resembling authentic nerve fascicles, confirming a close relationship between melanocytes and peripheral nerve sheath cells (Schwann cells and probably perineurial cells in part) and suggesting derivation of the two types of cells from common precursor cells of the neural crest and their de novo development in the dermis rather than by Abtropfung of melanocytes from the epidermis. In addition, the high prevalence of Unna, Miescher, and superficial congenital nevi in melanocytic nevi with peripheral nerve sheath differentiation suggests a different character or process for these congenital melanocytic nevi than for Clark and Spitz nevi (junctional and compound types).

Cell Differentiation↗

The relationship between melanocytes and peripheral nerve sheath cells (Part II): blue nevus with peripheral nerve sheath differentiation.

Peripheral nerve sheath differentiation was studied in 120 specimens of blue nevi (112 specimens of "common" blue nevi and 8 specimens of "cellular" blue nevi). In 10 of 112 common blue nevi, fascicles of pigmented dendritic melanocytes or less pigmented spindle-shaped melanocytes with S-shaped nuclei were associated with wavy delicate collagen bundles. In 4 of these 10 specimens, the melanocytes showed a perifollicular arrangement. These nerve fascicle-like structures were seen in some cellular blue nevi (5 of 8 specimens). Structures closely resembling authentic nerve fascicles were not observed in common or cellular blue nevi. The fascicles with S-shaped nuclei and fibrillary collagenous tissue observed in blue nevi (which were well detected in the cellular type but rarely found in the common type) may be peripheral nerve sheath features and perhaps evidence that dermal dendritic melanocytes in the reticular dermis may have arisen within a peripheral nerve sheath milieu from primitive fibroblast-like precursors. Some of the examples presented here may be identical to those reported for "pilar neurocristic hamartoma" or "neurocristic hamartoma." I also speculate on the pathogenesis of blue nevi based on the observations made in this study.

Cell Differentiation↗

Unusually differentiating immature nerve sheath myxoma in association with dermal melanocytosis.

A 44-year-old woman presented with a slightly elevated, erythematous lesion, with partially blue-black areas. The nonpigmented area histologically showed a "dissecting" fascicular growth pattern, similar to one of the patterns seen in the cellular type of nerve sheath myxoma. The clinically pigmented part of the lesion consisted of diffusely infiltrating, broad and poorly delineated fascicles often showing nerve sheath differentiation, embedded in a highly myxomatous stroma. No part of the lesion showed the plexiform pattern typical of the classic type of nerve sheath myxoma; rather, the lesion had some common features of neurofibroma, and also was characteristically associated with a considerable number of scattered dermal melanocytes. However, based on the fascicular histologic pattern showing nerve sheath differentiation within mucinous matrix, S-100 protein-negative immunophenotype, and electron microscopic features, we considered the whole lesion in the present case to be an entity within the spectrum of nerve sheath myxoma, either mixed-type nerve sheath myxoma or unusually differentiating immature nerve sheath myxoma, except for the associated dermal melanocytosis. Because of the intimate association of the dermal melanocytes with this nerve sheath myxoma with divergent differentiation, this lesion can also be considered as a distinctive type of benign neoplasm derived from pluripotent neural crest cells.

Adult↗

Localized soft tissue angiomatosis with subsequent development of angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia.

We report an unusual case of arteriovenous (AV) malformation (localized form of soft tissue angiomatosis): a reaction of angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) developed over the lesion of this pre-existing AV malformation. To the best of our knowledge, there is no other report of ALHE in association with a pre-existing bona fide AV malformation. A 71-year-old woman consulted our clinic because a reddish, dome-shaped tumor on her preauricular region, present as a slightly elevated, skin-colored tumor since her childhood, had rapidly enlarged and become more elevated with color change during the preceding two months. The histological features of most of the lesion corresponded to those of soft tissue angiomatosis (localized form). The proliferative vessels underlying the soft tissue angiomatosis streamed out and welled into the dermis with an accompanying prominent inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphoid cells and eosinophils: these histological features were characteristic of ALHE. The recent abrupt clinical changes in the tumor were considered to represent a reaction to the angiomatosis with development of ALHE.

Aged↗

Proliferation and differentiation of organoid hair follicle cells co-cultured with fat cells in collagen gel matrix culture.

Using rat skin, we studied the influence of fat cells on the proliferation and differentiation of organoid hair follicle cells in a three-dimensional collagen gel matrix culture system. We cultured organoid hair follicles embedded in collagen gel under each of the following three conditions: cell-free collagen gel for control experiments (condition 1); co-culture with fat cells in close apposition (condition 2); and co-culture with fat cells in spatial separation (condition 3). Outgrowths of epithelial cells from the organoid hair follicles associated with perifollicular proliferation of fibroblasts were observed under conditions 1 and 3. Under condition 2, proliferation of both organoid hair follicle cells and fibroblasts was inhibited, but differentiation of the hair follicle cells appeared to be accelerated. Fat cells are considered to have an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of perifollicular fibroblasts, which might have resulted in the inhibition of hair follicle cell proliferation and also in the better maintenance of normal follicular structure and integrity, allowing for hair-type differentiation to proceed. A direct accelerating effect of fat cells on hair follicle differentiation may also have been responsible. In a physiological state (co-culture with keratinocytes on the collagen gel), similar results were observed under conditions 1 and 2. The different findings under conditions 2 and 3 may be due to either of two possibilities: either the concentration gradient of the soluble factors released from fat cells, acting on either the hair follicle cells or the perifollicular fibroblasts as an inhibitor of proliferation, caused the difference in the results, or direct contact between the organoid hair follicle cells and fat cells may have influenced the accelerating effect of fat cells on the differentiation of hair follicle cells.

Adipocytes↗

HIV-associated eosinophilic pustular folliculitis: successful treatment of a Japanese patient with UVB phototherapy.

We report the successful treatment with ultraviolet B phototherapy of a patient with HIV-associated eosinophilic pustular folliculitis. We were able to observe the clinical and therapeutic course for about one year and three months. This 35-year-old homosexual Japanese man presented with disseminated, discrete, follicular, erythematous papules with intense pruritus over his face, neck, chest wall, and upper back. Initially, the eruption responded to therapy with topical or oral indomethacin and oral H1 antihistamine. However, the eruption was highly prone to recurrence, and it gradually failed to respond to these therapies. The eruption became chronic and persistent and manifested the excoriated, prurigo-like nodules that are typical of reported pruritic papular eruption, suggesting that this skin disease and HIV-associated eosinophilic pustular folliculitis are two forms of the same disease entity. UVB phototherapy in small doses was very effective for the persistent eruption, and no recurrence of the eruption was noted during or since the six-month maintenance therapy (once a week at a dose equivalent to 0.75 of the minimal erythema dose) (9 months total). No unfavorable side effects have been observed during or after the UVB phototherapy (cumulative UVB doses of 2,320 mJ/cm2).

Adult↗

The innermost cells of the outer root sheath in human anagen hair follicles undergo specialized keratinization mediated by apoptosis.

The innermost cell layer of the outer root sheath (IORS) is a special single cell layer located just outside Henle's layer. In situ end-labeling immunohistochemistry for apoptosis showed that labeled cells were most consistently located in the IORS from the suprabulbar portion to the infundibulum of anagen terminal hair follicles of the human scalp. Labeled cells were also sparsely scattered in the middle portion, including the bulge area of the outer root sheath of anagen hair, the regressing lower portion of catagen hair and the bulb of telogen hair. Ultrastructurally, the cells of the innermost layer underwent cellular degeneration through cytoplasmic vacuolization and nuclear pyknosis without keratohyalin production. These were compatible with the morphology of apoptotic cells. These findings confirmed that the innermost cell layer is different from other layers of the outer root sheath, not only by previously demonstrated criteria such as Ki67 immunostainability and characteristic ultrastructure but also by the mode of cell death.

Adult↗

Familial atypical mole syndrome manifesting as polypoid melanoma: a case report and review of the Japanese literature.

A family with atypical mole syndrome which manifested as polypoid melanoma in one member is reported. A 46-year-old man presented with a polypoid tumor on his lower back, which was excised under clinical diagnosis of soft fibroma. The tumor proved to be polypoid melanoma. He was referred to our clinic, and examination revealed that he had the atypical mole syndrome phenotype. The clinicopathological screening of his first-degree relatives confirmed that his 58-year-old sister had the same phenotype. In addition to our discussion of the clinical significance of polypoid melanoma, we also attempted to elucidate the characteristics of the reported Japanese cases of melanomas with atypical moles from a survey of the literature, which revealed the following characteristics: 1) younger mean age than that of total Japanese melanoma cases, 2) sun sensitive skin, 3) unexpectedly and frequently observed familial incidence (Kraemer's D1 and D2), 4) frequent site of the melanoma on the trunk and none on the sole of the foot, and 5) high incidence of superficial spreading melanoma and nodular melanoma, and 6) no cases of acral lentiginous melanoma.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Necrotizing fasciitis due to group A streptococci: a clinicopathological study of six patients.

The recent worldwide appearance of invasive group A streptococcal infections has again called attention to streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis. However, in contrast to polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis, the streptococcal form has not been thoroughly studied clinically. The objective of the study was to elucidate the characteristic features of recent cases of necrotizing fasciitis due exclusively to pure group A streptococci. We encountered six patients with these criteria at a single hospital in Japan during the last 12 years. A clinicopathological analysis was performed in these six patients. In three patients, the clinical signs and the laboratory findings were characteristic of systemic toxicity. In this group, the clinical presentation was a pale or blue-gray lesion associated with severe intravascular coagulation histologically involving the vessels in the lesion. In the three patients without signs of systemic toxicity, a swollen, erythematous skin lesion persisted for as long as one week; histologically, the intravascular coagulation within these lesions was mild. In clinicopathological terms, the entity in these six patients could be clearly classified as either fulminant or subacute. In the fulminant type, immediate surgical debridement of necrotic fascia is required; in the subacute type, incision and drainage alone are sufficient.

Adult↗

Intradermal dermoid cyst associated with occult spinal dysraphism.

A 2-year-old boy with congenital lumbosacral skin lesions is described. He presented with associated occult spina bifida and a sagittal cleft of the vertebral body deep in the skin lesions. The skin lesions presented as a combination of a lipoma, telangiectasia, mild hypertrichosis, and a dermoid cyst. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that the lipoma extended to the spina bifida region, but that it did not connect to the dura. MRI also demonstrated no other spinal lesions requiring surgical treatment. The intradermal location of the dermoid cyst observed in our patient was unusual. We discuss the location of dermoid cysts in the lumbosacral region associated with spinal dysraphism.

Dermoid Cyst↗

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the skin: a superficial form of this tumor.

A case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) of the skin, which is a superficial form of this type of tumor, is described. Although our patient did not present the usual diagnostic criteria for MPNST, the clinicopathologic findings for both the initial and recurrent tumors were compatible with those of the ordinary type of this tumor and not with those of neurotropic melanoma or cellular schwannoma. The recurrent tumor presented progression compared to the low grade malignancy in the original tumor. Perhaps because of the superficial location of the tumor our patient showed an unexpected favorable outcome in spite of repeated recurrences. Reports indicate that, of the superficial forms, the ordinary type is still less frequently encountered than the epithelioid type. We also discuss the differentiation between MPNST of the skin and neurotropic melanoma.

Female↗