Background Microneedle devices have been used to reduce scarring and wrinkling as well as for the treatment of pattern hair loss. Aims Here, we investigated the efficacy and safety of a newly developed home‐use microneedle device for the treatment of pattern hair loss. Methods Twenty‐nine patients were assigned into three groups based on block randomization: home‐use microneedle device only, a combination of home‐use microneedle device and 5% minoxidil solution and 5% minoxidil topical solution only. Each treatment was performed twice a week. The study outcomes included hair counts, patient self‐assessments, and adverse events at baseline and at 6 months. Statistical analyses were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), repeated measures ANOVA and Kruskal‐Wallis test. Results The improvements in hair count were seen in the combination group at month 6, but the differences observed did not reach statistical significance in each group and among the three groups. The patient self‐assessment showed the highest score in the combination group, but it did not reveal a statistically significant difference among the three groups. Mild and transient pruritus were reported by one patient who was using the microneedle device only. Conclusions Our study shows that the home‐use microneedle device may be a safe and 5% minoxidil solution penetration‐enhancing therapeutic modality for stimulating hair growth.

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) of primary cutaneous melanoma as an important staging method has not been popularly undertaken in Korea and only a few studies with small patient numbers have been published. Aim: We examined the clinical feasibility and overall outcomes of SLNB in acral melanoma (AM) of Korean in Kyungpook National University Hospital (KNUH) over the past 13 years. Methods: SLNB in AM patients during 2006–2018 were analyzed retrospectively for sentinel lymph node (SLN) harvesting rate, positivity rate, positivity‐relevant overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS), and its side effects. Results: A total of 109 AM patients who underwent SLNB were enrolled. Harvested nodes were identified from 107 patients and SLN harvesting rate was 98.2%. The mean Breslow thickness (±standard deviation) was 3.38 ± 3.03 mm, and the proportion of ulcerated melanomas was 64%. Twenty‐two (20.6%) had a tumor‐positive SLN and, among them, 82% (18/22) underwent immediate complete lymph node dissection (CLND). The metastasis‐positive nodal basin after CLND was detected in 16.7% of cases (3/18). Tumor‐negative SLN cohorts showed significantly better OS and DFS than tumor‐positive ones (P = 0.006 and P < 0.001 for each). Two side effects, one seroma and one lymphocele, were observed without major sequelae. Conclusion: SLNB, crucial management of melanoma, proved its efficacy to predict patients’ prognosis and could be performed successfully and safely in Korean AM patients by interdisciplinary cooperation between dermatology and other surgical departments. SLN(−) showed significantly better OS and DFS than SLN(+). Significant risk factors for DFS were Breslow thickness, the presence of ulceration and the presence of SLN metastasis. SLNB should be encouraged in order to stage melanoma accurately and direct the proper management in Korean AM.

Background Hutchinson’s nail sign (HS) is among the diagnostic criteria for subungual melanoma (SUM). However, there is minimal evidence supporting the overall clinical significance of HS in SUM. Objectives To identify clinicopathological features of SUM according to the extent of HS. Methods Retrospective cohort study was performed with consecutive SUM patients at a single centre from January 2006 to December 2017. The extent of HS was defined by the number of affected nail folds (range 0–4). Comparison groups were organized as follows: patients with HS (affecting ≥1 nail folds) vs. without HS; patients with HS affecting ≥2 nail folds vs. HS affecting <2 nail folds; patients with HS affecting ≥3 nail folds vs. HS affecting <3 nail folds. Clinicopathological characteristics of SUM were compared between the groups. Results Sixty‐one SUM patients were included. Forty‐six (75.4%) exhibited HS; 22 (47.8%) on a toe and 24 (52.2%) on a finger. In multivariate analysis, nail destruction [hazard ratio (HR), 10.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.61–38.30; P = 0.001] was significantly associated with the presence of HS and amputation was significantly associated with HS affecting ≥2 nail folds (HR, 4.75; 95% CI, 1.36–16.61; P = 0.015). High T stage (HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.20–2.85; P = 0.005, Fig. 2) was significantly associated with HS appearing in ≥3 nail folds. Conclusion Besides its value of detecting SUM, HS provides useful clinical information. The number of nail folds exhibiting HS could be a useful clinical clue for planning therapeutic strategies for SUM.

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