ULTRASTRUCTURE OF SO-CALLED ANGIOBLASTOMA OF THE SKIN BEFORE AND AFTER SOFT X-RAY THERAPY

Tissues from a two-month-old Japanese male infant with a typical angioblastoma of the skin on the right groin was examined by light and electron microscopy before and after soft X-ray therapy. Before therapy, nest-like proliferation of the tumor cells with frequent formation of vascular spaces was observed. Ultrastructurally, these tumor cells showed the morphological characteristics of vascular endothelial cells in their size, shape and usual organelles. These cells usually had an abundance of peculiar dense granules with a limiting membrane. Fibrin deposits and thrombosis with aggregations of platelets were observed in the lumina in situ. After soft X-ray therapy with a total dose of 3,600 rads, disappearance of most of the tumor cell-nests and prominent dilatation of the residual vessels were observed. Ultrastructurally, numbers of the vessels showed more or less degenerative and destructive changes. Vessels with ruptured endothelial cell linings, extravasated red cells, and hemosiderin deposits were also frequently observed. From these findings, it is concluded that angioblastoma of the skin should be considered as one of the benign hemangiomas of the skin, and that degenerative changes in the endothelial cells induced by irradiation are almost identical to those in other conditions.     

CONTRACEPTION AND THE SKIN

The use of contraceptives gives rise to numerous skin diseases. Like all drugs, oral contraceptives seem capable of producing almost any skin problems, some being more common than others. Oral contraceptives also have the potential to improve some diseases including acne and hirsutism. Skin disease associated with mechanical or barrier contraceptives is infrequent. Allergies to rubber condoms and/or diaphragms have been reported, as have a variety of skin changes possibly related to copper in medicated intrauterine contraceptive devices.     

HISTOLOGY AND CYTOCHEMISTRY OF HUMAN SKIN XXXV. THE NIPPLE AND AREOLA

SUMMARY.— The undersurface of the epidermis covering the tip of the nipple resembles that found in tactile surfaces; at the sides of the nipple the undersurface is more shallow, and in the areola it has an even, honeycombed appearance. These are distinctive structural signatures of the areas. The nipple is glabrous and the areola largely so. Lactiferous ducts and sebaceous and apocrine glands open only at the tip of the nipple, mostly grouped toward the centre. Glands of Montgomery (accessory mammary glands), clusters of large sebaceous glands, a few scattered eccrine sweat glands, some apocrine glands, and a few vellus hairs toward the periphery are the appendages of the areola. Lactiferous ducts and sebaceous glands contain numbers of melanotic melanocytes among their epithelial cells. Sensory nerve end-organs are found only at the tip of the nipple; there are practically none demonstrable at the sides of the nipple or at the areola. Many nerves are loosely wrapped around the lactiferous ducts, from the lactiferous sinus to the surface. These are probably afferent nerve fibres that convey sensory impulses. Nipples and areolae have a bountiful framework of elastic fibres that give these structures rigidity and support, anchor smooth muscle fibres, keep the lactiferous ducts and sinuses from collapsing, and attach the epidermis. The nipples and areolae of women, men, girls, and boys are qualitatively identical hut quantitatively very different.