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C Schmoeckel

Publications and source records attributed to C Schmoeckel.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Encapsulated neuroma of the skin. A clinical, histologic and immunohistologic study].

Encapsulated neuroma of the skin is a little known, though not especially rare, benign tumour of the peripheral nerve system. It is often wrongly diagnosed on the basis of both clinical and histological investigation. We have subjected 24 encapsulated neuromas to clinical, histological, and immunohistological study. Clinically, they presented as solitary, skin-coloured small nodules, usually located on the face in middle-aged adults. Histologically, encapsulated neuromas are well-circumscribed dermal tumours. They are composed of interlacing fascicles of Schwann cells (S-100 protein +) and numerous tiny axons (S-100 protein +, neurofilament +). Most reveal at least partial encapsulation with perineurial differentiation (EMA +, vimentin +). Encapsulated neuromas can be differentiated from other tumours of the peripheral nerve system and from leiomyoma by their distinctive histological and immunohistological features.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Association of early malignant melanoma with nevocytic nevi.

The percentage of histologically associated malignant nevocytic nevi is essential for establishing concepts of histogenesis. The literature abounds with studies of this association. However, the results are conflicting and vary between 4% and 72% of malignant melanomas with associated nevocytic nevi with a maximum frequency between 20% and 30%. These different values could be partially explained by the fact that tumors in more advanced stages might have "overgrown" preexisting nevocytic cells. For this reason, only cases of early stage malignant melanoma (tumor thickness less than or equal to 1.5 mm; level of invasion less than or equal to III) were included in this study (n = 150). Thirty-three (22%) of 150 cases of malignant melanoma were associated with nevocytic nevi. In an additional 6.1% of the cases there was a possible but doubtful association. In 45.4% of the cases the nevus cells could be detected below the tumor, in 18.2% they could be seen at the laterally adjacent sides, and in 36.4% they were found at both sites. Fifty percent showed junctional activity from the nevocytic nevi located to the side of the melanoma. We conclude that the finding of approximately 27% of nevocytic nevi with junctional activity among the nevocytic nevi associated with malignant melanoma could be an indicator that at least some malignant melanomas develop within or next to a preexisting and still proliferating nevocytic nevus.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Semiquantitative analysis of histologic criteria in thin malignant melanomas.

To evaluate the sensitivity of histologic criteria 396 hematoxylin-eosin-stained step sections of 150 randomly sampled thin malignant melanomas (tumor thickness, less than or equal to 1.5 mm; level of invasion, I-III) were analyzed. The highest sensitivity was determined for nuclear atypia (84%), followed by the asymmetry of the lesion (81.3%) and the presence of single cells in the upper layers of the epidermis (80.3%). The sensitivity was limited for the inflammatory reaction of the dermis (56%), poor demarcation of the lesion (49.3%), and infiltration of the adnexa (47.7%). For the mitotic activity a low sensitivity was found (33.3%). In only 7.6% of cases all criteria investigated (with the exception of the infiltration of adnexa) were simultaneously present. The three most sensitive criteria could be found in 46% of cases and two of these criteria in 88% of cases. In conclusion, this semiquantitative analysis of histologic criteria revealed that (1) thin malignant melanomas can be diagnosed with a few, but very sensitive, criteria and (2) the absence of criteria with minor sensitivity is not helpful for correct diagnosis.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Structure of basement membranes in malignant melanoma and nevocytic nevi.

Basement membranes found around tumor cells in nevocytic nevi, Spitz's nevi, and malignant melanomas were analyzed by electron microscopy and antibody staining for several basement membrane proteins. Nevocytic nevi and Spitz's nevi showed a distinct, occasionally discontinuous lamina densa regardless of whether they were located in junctional zones of the epidermis or within the dermis. All basement membranes around nests of aggregated nevus cells, however, lacked anchoring fibrils. This correlated with the absence of type VII collagen. In contrast, type IV collagen, laminin, and nidogen were present at the periphery of the nevus cell clusters in agreement with the presence of an intact lamina densa. Aggregated tumor cells in malignant melanomas were bordered by a lamina densa when located in a junctional position and lacked this structure when they had migrated into the dermis. This process was accompanied by a drastically reduced staining for collagen type IV and nidogen, whereas laminin was still detectable. Anchoring fibrils and their molecular correlate, type VII collagen, were consistently absent. These observations demonstrate major alterations in the composition of basement membranes around malignant melanomas, which can be an important factor for the invasive growth and formation of metastases of these tumors.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1989

[Acquired hyalinosis cutis et mucosae in plasmacytoma with monoclonal IgG-lambda gammopathy].

A 66-year-old female patient developed within 2 years clinical symptoms of hyalinosis cutis et mucosae due to a plasmocytoma with monoclonal IgG-light-chain gammopathy. The clinical diagnosis was supported by light- and electron-microscope studies. The form of hyalinosis cutis et mucosae described by Urbach and Wiethe is a genetic disease with its onset in early childhood. For this reason, we propose the designation "acquired hyalinosis cutis et mucosae" for the case reported here.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Olmstedt syndrome--associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis and immune deficiency of uncertain origin].

The Olmstedt syndrome is an erythrokeratodermia of unknown aetiopathogenesis, which mostly becomes manifest in early childhood. Skin lesions involve palms, soles and the periorificial regions. Up to now only 6 cases have been reported. We present a new case of a 45-year-old woman who had started developing the characteristic skin lesions at the age of 30. Remarkably, primary sclerosing cholangitis and an immunodeficiency of an unknown origin were present in this patient. Systemic treatment with glucocorticosteroids cleared the periorificial lesions temporarily, whereas the palmoplantar keratoses hardly responded to therapy. An attempt at treatment with retinoids was precluded by the presence of hepatic disease.

Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal↗
PubMed1989

[The number and distribution of nevus cell nevi in patients with malignant melanoma].

Total-body cutaneous examination of 211 patients with malignant melanoma (MM) and 157 controls showed that patients with MM had significantly more nevi. Among MM patients, men had more nevi on the trunk than women, and women had more nevi on the lower extremities than men. Men had an MM distribution that was similar to their nevus distribution. Women, however, had proportionately more MM on the legs and fewer MM on the neck. The "nevus density," defined as the number of nevi per unit surface area of skin, was higher in male MM patients. The nevus density was highest on the head and neck, and lower on the lower extremities and anterior trunk. Patients with nodular melanoma had more nevi than those with superficial spreading melanoma. MM patients with a family history of many nevi had more nevi than those without such a history. Patients with a family history of MM did not show an increased number of nevi, but they had larger numbers of suggestive nevi removed than those without a family history of MM. We believe that many of these observations are consistent with the view that MM is caused by a genetic predisposition to an overactive melanocytic system in combination with an external stimulant, such as UV radiation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Congenital spiradenoma.

A case of an adenomatous sweat gland hamartoma present since birth is described. The histological and ultrastructural findings were similar to those of spiradenoma, and carcinoembryonic antigen, usually present in cutaneous sweat gland tumors, was also demonstrated. Sweat gland nevi are rare, and a spiradenomatous variant has not been previously documented.

Adenoma, Sweat Gland↗
PubMed1988

[Hailey-Hailey disease with dissemination and eczema herpeticatum in therapy with etretinate].

We report a 39-year-old patient with Hailey-Hailey disease localized mainly in the genito-femoral and scrotal areas. During hospital treatment the condition worsened due to superinfection with Candida albicans and gram-negative bacteria. Treatment with systemic steroids followed by aromatic retinoids was tried: eczema herpeticum developed in the affected areas, and dissemination of Hailey-Hailey disease ultimately occurred with papulo-vesicular and histologically characteristic lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Vaccinia inoculata].

A case of vaccinia inoculata in a 58-year-old woman with a bullous lesion on the left cheek is reported. The diagnosis was established by reference to her professional background and by electron microscopy (negative staining method).

Facial Dermatoses↗
PubMed1987

Morphometric and ultrastructural analyses of melanocytes, nevus cells, and melanoma cells.

Cytological atypia, revealed in the course of routine light microscopy, is considered a valuable indicator of malignancy in melanocytic lesions. A clear definition of the term cytological atypia, however, is lacking. Therefore, by morphometric analysis of ultrathin sections of 11 malignant melanomas (7 invasive, 3 in situ, and 1 lentigo maligna melanoma) and 10 compound nevi, we evaluated the discriminating power of the various facets of cytological atypia, i.e., nuclear area, area of the nucleolus, area of the total cell, and nuclear irregularity. In each case, at least 50 intraepidermal melanocytic cells were examined. The two-sided U-test showed significant differences between intraepidermal nevus and melanoma cells, with regard to the mean values (mean) and standard deviations (s) of the nuclear area (mean and s, p = 0.00011), area of the nucleolus (mean, p = 0.00043; s, p = 0.00011), and area of the total cell (mean, p = 0.00011; s, p = 0.00093). However, only the mean values and standard deviations of the nuclear area allowed a clear distinction in each individual case. The area of the nucleus can be estimated in the course of routine histology. We therefore think that the size and variation of the nuclear area should be considered in the histological differential diagnosis between malignant melanomas and benign nevi.

Cell Nucleolus↗
PubMed1987

Early persistent UVA-pigmentation: ultrastructural and morphometric analyses.

UV-A-induced skin pigmentation was investigated morphologically in semithin and thin sections from 11 volunteers, using different irradiation modalities (single doses of 10, 50 and 100 J/cm2). Visible skin pigmentation was observed in all but two probands, and erythema in two; pronounced pigmentation was present after repeated irradiation only. Contralateral non-irradiated, UV-B-irradiated and suntanned skin specimens UV-B-irradiated and suntanned skin specimens were used as controls. There was an increase in the number of clear cells in the basal layer (x1.6) and particularly of large clear cells (x1.7) after repeated irradiation. Also, the number of melanosomes in melanocytic dendrites (x2.8) increased after repeated irradiation. The number, size and shape of the melanosome complexes in both basal and suprabasal keratinocytes remained unchanged, even when a distinction was made between central and peripheral location. In contrast, suntanned skin showed an increase in melanosome complexes in basal (x5.8) and suprabasal (x3.7) keratinocytes. It is concluded that UV-A-induced skin pigmentation differs in some ways from UV-B or sun-induced melanogenesis, and that the clinical grade of tanning cannot accurately be determined by ultrastructural methods.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Comparative evaluation of herpes virus detection using fluorescence-labeled monoclonal antibodies and electron microscopy negative contrast technic in dermatovenereologic diseases. Results of a pilot study of 30 patients].

Thirty patients with different dermatologic and venereal symptoms apparently indicating herpes were examined for the presence of viruses. Two different procedures were compared: electron-microscopic analysis of negatively stained material and light-microscopic analysis of direct smears using fluorescence-labelled monoclonal mouse antibodies against herpesvirus type 1 and type 2. In 12 of the patients herpesvirus was demonstrated by at least one of the two methods: in 9 patients the specimens were positive with both methods; in 2 patients only light microscopy yielded evidence of virus material; in 1 case virus material was revealed only by electron microscopy. If electron-microscopic analysis of negatively stained clinical material is considered the standard method, the fluorescence test had a sensitivity and specificity of 90%. Thus, in the near future the latter technique may supersede the highly laborious electron-microscope method of investigation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗