Rhinophyma in Japan.

BACKGROUND

Rhinophyma is an end stage of acne rosacea. It results in a large nose due to a proliferation of sebaceous glands and fibrous tissue. Many cases of rhinophyma have been reported in the Western world; however, in Japan, rhinophyma has been an uncommon disease.

METHODS

We present two patients associated with rhinophyma who were treated by cross-shaped full-thickness excision followed by direct closure and compare the rhinophyma in Japan with that in the West.

RESULTS

To date, only 20 rhinophyma cases including our 2 cases have been reported in Japan. Epidemiologic factors of rhinophyma between the West and Japan do not differ except for location, malignancy and surgical treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In Japan, almost all cases are located on the lower half of the nose, treated by full-thickness excision followed by application of either skin grafts or direct closure. None have been malignant.