Seong Eun Cho’s research while affiliated with Soonchunhyang University and other places

Injury to the peripheral sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve can follow a wide variety of craniofacial injuries. Many patients with facial fractures complain about the symptom of numbness to the distribution of injured nerve, which is indicative of hypoesthesia. Hyperesthesia involving the infraorbital nerve is rare in comparison to hypoesthesia secondary to facial trauma. The authors report on 2 patients with infraorbital nerve hyperesthesia in surgically repaired orbital fracture patients. Surgical decompression of the infraorbital nerve led to rapid resolution of hyperesthesia. To the best of our knowledge, these were rare cases of patients who presented with persistent hyperesthesia. Clinician should perform early surgical decompression of the infraorbital nerve in patient with persistent hyperesthesia of the infraorbital nerve.

Primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma (PCMC) is a rare low-grade malignant neoplasm derived from the eccrine glands. PCMC most commonly arises in the head and neck, with the eyelid being the most common site of origin. This case report describes a 51-year-old male with a painless, pigmented superficial nodular lesion over his right lower eyelid. The lesion was considered to be benign, and the initial treatment was simple excision with a 3-mm margin. However, histologic examination revealed the diagnosis of PCMC, and the patient underwent re-excision of the tumor site with an additional 3-mm margin from the initial scar. Histologic study of this second margin was free of any malignant cells. The patient experienced no postoperative complication or recurrence after 2 years. In our case, the skin lesion had benign morphologic findings and was strongly suspected to be a benign mass. Physicians should be aware of this tumor and be able to differentiate it from benign cystic or solid eyelid lesions.

Type-1 neurofibromatosis, a common autosomal dominant disease, is also known as von Recklinghausen disease. Surgical procedures to treat this condition are challenging because of the brittleness of the surrounding blood vessels and soft tissues that bring the risk of causing fatal bleeding. With improvements in neurovascular embolization procedures, some literatures have been published about the application of preoperative embolization for neurofibromatosis. This case report describes a 60-year-old female with Type-1 neurofibromatosis, who presented giant facial neurofibromas with intratumoral hemorrhage on both cheeks. This patient demonstrates that these huge and challenging lesions can be successfully treated with preoperative embolization and surgical treatment. We also discuss the timing of surgical treatment with such lesions.

Background Noninvasive radiofrequency (RF) and lasers have been used for skin tightening and body contouring since the 1990s. The safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction with the procedure using a novel RF device (BodyTite™; Invasix Ltd, Yokneam Ilit, Israel) were evaluated. Methods We retrospectively included 13 patients who were treated with the BodyTite™ to rejuvenate neck skin from May 2012 to May 2014. The power of the device was set between 10 and 15 W. The target temperature was set at 38degrees C. Three independent evaluators were asked to grade baseline and 6- to 12-month follow-up photographs using a comprehensive quantitative 4-point laxity grading scale. All patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome and quality of life after treatment. Results Grading results of baseline and follow-up photographs of patients were statistically significant with an average grade improvement of 1.01 points on the 4 point scale. Using a patient satisfaction scale, patients were also significantly more satisfied (poor, 0%; fair, 15%; good, 46%; and excellent, 39%). There were transient complications, such as minimal erythema, mild edema, and focal hardness, which resolved spontaneously within 1 week. There were no significant adverse effects or complications. Conclusions The BodyTite™ is a minimally invasive, RF treatment that was demonstrated to improve skin laxity without significant adverse effects or complications. The BodyTite™ provides a nonsurgical option for the safe and effective rejuvenation of neck skin under local anesthesia.

Background Despite careful and atraumatic surgical techniques, surgical treatment and reconstruction can result in scarring. Scar from skin cancer on the face may continue for a long time. This current report demonstrates the utility of a fractional CO2 laser to treat facial scar resulting from local flap coverage to remove skin cancer. Methods Five patients underwent local flap coverage after removing facial skin cancer tumors. The resulting scars after reconstruction of these skin cancer defects are on face. Each received 6 treatments with a fractional CO2 laser device (LineXel®; UTI Co. Ltd, Seoul, Korea). Treatments were spaced about 1 month apart. Results were evaluated before the initial treatment, and at 1 month after the last treatment session. Results The fractional CO2 laser device is effective for treating surgical scars especially on scar texture and thickness without significant adverse effects. Prior to the laser session, these scars concerned different pigmentation, pliability, height, vascularity compared to the surrounding skin. Patients also expressed a 4-point subjective scale of satisfaction. Patients were satisfied with the treated scars. Conclusions The fractional CO2 laser device of the present report is an effective treatment modality for facial scars after reconstruction of skin cancer defects. Besides this laser also does not show any serious adverse effect.