Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Altmeyer

Publications and source records attributed to P Altmeyer.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

[Considerations of the pathogenesis of parakeratosis variegata based on morphologic and molecular genetic findings].

We report on a 63-year-old woman who had been suffering from generalized parakeratosis variegata since she was 7 years old. Increased tightness of the skin was the only clinical symptom. On the whole integument except for the face, we found a fine network of hyper- and depigmentation and telangiectasias. The skin surface was dry and atrophic with fine lamellar scaling. Histological, immunohistological and ultrastructural findings indicated early infiltration by a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. However, PCR analysis of the T-cell receptor gamma-chain genes revealed multiple amplification products favouring a polyclonal T-cell proliferation. In light of the clinical history over a period of 56 years, we consider parakeratosis variegata to be a benign, chronic inflammatory condition, as is confirmed by the results of PCR analysis in this patient.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[An inverse course of Darier dyskeratosis follicularis].

A 56-year-old female patient had suffered from isolated, unclassified palmoplantar keratosis since childhood. During the climacteric horny papules appeared for the first time on the extremities and trunk. Histologically, the efflorescences on the body and the palmoplantar keratosis were classifiable as keratosis follicularis. Predilection sites of Darier's disease were spared. Altogether, the usual pattern of involvement was reversed.

Biopsy↗

De Sanctis-Caccione syndrome: xeroderma pigmentosum with oligophrenia, short stature and neurologic disorders.

A 6 year-old boy with de Sanctis-Cacchione syndrome is reported. This syndrome is characterized by the triad xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), mental deficiency and neurological disturbances. The patient's cells were assigned to genetic complementation group A by use of the cell fusion technique. DNA repair capacity as measured by unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) was drastically reduced to 7.5%, compared with 100% of the controls. The rate of sister chromatid exchange (SCE), an indicator of the hypermutability in XP, was clearly elevated after ultraviolet radiation of skin fibroblasts of the patient.

Child↗

[Perforating cutaneous amyloidosis].

Two patients, a 79-year-old man suffering from familial lichen amyloidosus and a 44-year-old women with biphasic cutaneous amyloidosis, developed small, centrally ulcerated papules. Histological and ultrastructural examination confirmed transepidermal elimination of amyloid. In contrast to other transepidermal elimination diseases, the material eliminated in perforating cutaneous amyloidosis is of epidermal origin.

Adult↗

[Treatment of recurrent herpes labialis using a herpes simplex Type-I subunit vaccine. A prospective randomized double-blind multicenter study].

A herpes simplex type I subunit vaccine developed by Behring-Werke (Marburg/Lahn, FRG) was compared with placebo for therapeutic effectiveness in the treatment of recurrent orolabial herpes simplex in a multicentre study involving the major hospitals in Frankfurt/Main (n = 34), Hamburg (n = 18), Giessen (n = 17) und Kassel (n = 14). The effectiveness of the vaccine was judged on the reduction in the frequency of recurrences. Within the period of the 8-month study there was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of recurrences with vaccine or placebo. Both placebo and verum led to a significant decrease in the number of recurrences of orolabial herpes simplex, but the effect of placebo was slightly more pronounced.

Adult↗

[Ichthyosis and alopecia after maprotiline: corneolysis caused by temporary disorder of keratinization].

A 37-year-old woman developed ichthyosiform desquamation of the skin and a severe diffuse alopoecia 3 weeks after taking the antidepressant maprotilin. No signs of inflammation were present. Histology revealed acanthosis with preserved stratum granulosum, follicular hyperkeratosis and dystrophic changes of the hair follicle. Electron microscopy revealed rarefication of tonofilaments and necrobiotic changes of epidermal keratinocytes with vacuolar degeneration of the cytoplasm and disorganization of the organelles. Pathogenetically this disease represents a drug-induced transitory disorder to keratinization, which had resulted in desquamation of the stratum corneum and alopecia. The authors propose the designation corneolysis for this pathogenetic principle.

Adjustment Disorders↗

20-MHz B-mode ultrasound in monitoring the course of localized scleroderma (morphea).

Ultrasonographic methods have recently provided us with the means for objective and non-invasive monitoring of the dynamics of chronic skin diseases. We examined 34 patients with localized scleroderma (morphea) using a 20-MHz B-mode ultrasound scanner (DUB 20, Taberna pro Medicum, Lüneburg). In patients with plaque-type and linear band-type localized scleroderma intraindividual comparison of sclerotic skin with corresponding areas of healthy skin showed thickening of the corium. The increase in corium thickness was between 2% and 251%. The extent of the difference in corium thickness between sclerotic and healthy skin depended on the location-originally thin skin showed a greater degree of sclerosis. We also frequently found enhanced reflexes in the lower corium and hyperechoic, widened bands of connective tissue traversing the subcutaneous fatty tissue from the corium-subcutis border in the direction of the muscle fascia. 20 patients were examined several times in the course of one year. In nine patients we found ultrasonographic evidence of regression (decrease in thickness 26%) and in nine the ultrasound examination showed progression (increase in thickness 28%). 20-MHz B-mode ultrasound imaging is a suitable non-invasive method for monitoring the course and treatment of localized scleroderma. Its routine use is strongly recommended.

Adolescent↗

Correlation of sCD23 release and immunoglobulin (E, A, G, M) synthesis by peripheral blood lymphocytes of atopic patients.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes of atopic patients were analyzed with regard to spontaneous as well as mitogen-induced CD23 expression, sCD23 release as well as Ig (M, G, A, E) synthesis in vitro. The data were correlated with the results for phenotypically defined peripheral cells (T cells, B cells, monocytes), sCD23 release and amounts of Ig (M, G, A, E). A positive correlation was obtained for serum sCD23 and serum IgE of patients with high and intermediate IgE levels, of sCD23 with the percentage of B cells and sCD23 with serum IgA levels. No correlation was obtained for the mitogen (SAC, PWM) induced amounts of Ig (E, A, M, G) synthesis and, furthermore, sCD23 levels determined in cell culture did not correlate with serum IgE levels. Our data support the role of sCD23 in atopic diseases and in isotype regulation.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte↗

[1989 Bochum health education program for malignant melanoma].

The incidence rate of all skin cancer forms has been increasing during the last few decades. The incidence of malignant melanoma is important due to its very high malignancy and its growing spread especially among young patients. Malignant melanoma is mainly observed on the external skin and is therefore well suited for screening methods. During a campaign in the city of Bochum, 1226 patients were examined. A total of 9 malignant melanomas and 10 basal cell carcinomas were discovered. The statistical data show that most of the patients could be motivated to participate by regional media and not by supraregional media. The wide acceptance of our prevention week shows that prevention campaigns are feasible, important and necessary.

Adolescent↗

[Mibelli's porokeratosis gigantea].

This case report deals with the giant form of porokeratosis of Mibelli, porokeratosis Mibelli gigantea. Over the last 40 years, the 55-year-old man concerned had observed a centrifugal expansion of a single hyperkeratotic lesion until it covered the whole of the right hand and forearm. Besides the characteristic histological alterations, we saw capillaries with unusually thickened walls owing to basal lamina multiplication. In the centre of the lesion atrophy of the epidermis and of the corium was visible. These observations indicate an alteration in two germ layers in porokeratosis.

Humans↗

[Digital 20 MHz sonography of basalioma in the B-scan].

Digital 20 MHz b-scan sonography is a new non-invasive tool in dermatological routine diagnostics. The 20-MHz linear scanner employed in this study has a signal penetration of 7 mm, a lateral resolution of 200 microns and an axial resolution of 80 microns. Seventy-five basal cell carcinomas were examined by ultrasound. An exact correlation of histological slides and sonographic images allowed us to explain the sonographic phenomena of basal cell carcinoma (BC). BCs exhibit a well-defined area with poor echoes; they sometimes even show a total loss of reflection. In the tumor parenchyma inhomogenously distributed internal echos were found. Below the tumor post-tumoral enhancement of the signal reflection is common (depending on the type of BC -up to 70%). Our results prove that digital 20 MHz ultrasonic imaging systems are well suited for studying the extension, thickness and tissue texture of basal cell carcinoma.

Adult↗

[Digital 20 mhz sonography of the skin in preoperative diagnosis].

B-scan 20 MHz ultrasonography is a new non-invasive technique to study the skin architecture. In a study on 236 patients, we showed that ultrasonic investigations can provide an efficient means to determine the thickness and extension of tumors. In addition, ultrasound may help make the differential diagnosis. This method is particularly accurate in the measurement of tumor thickness of malignant melanomas and the determination of depth and width of basal cell carcinomas. Furthermore, b-scan ultrasound offers additional criteria for the differential diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions. We believe, therefore, that high frequency ultrasound in vivo can definitely improve surgical planning.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗

[Cryosurgery of basalioma. Results of a retrospective study. Histologic study of the cryogenic lesion].

Cryosurgery is considered an alternative method in the treatment of basal cell carcinomas of the face and usually leads to excellent functional and cosmetic results. This technique can be modified depending on the number of freeze-thaw cycles. According to our experiences (220 cases), a single freeze-thaw cycle is indicated for those basal cell carcinomas which do not go beyond the middle dermis; these cases were characterized by fast wound healing and a very satisfying cosmetic outcome. Invasion of the lower dermis as well as basal cell carcinomas in skin folds require repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The specific mode of cryosurgical treatment, therefore, has to be differentiated depending on the site of the tumor and its depth of invasion.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗

[Alpha-MSH and pregnancy].

In 32 pregnant women, we repeatedly determined the levels of alpha-MSH, melatonin, ACTH and progesterone. In the radioimmunoassay, all of these hormones showed a significant increase from the first to the third trimester. In contrast to progesterone, neither the level of alpha-MSH nor that of melatonin rises significantly until between the 28th and 36th week of pregnancy. The authors suggest that the increasing pigmentation may be due to the rising levels of alpha-MSH, while the preferential hyperpigmentation of sexual areas in additionally mediated by sex hormones.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Effect of cytokines on spontaneous and allergen-induced CD23 expression, sCD23 release and Ig(E,G) synthesis from peripheral blood lymphocytes.

We studied the expression of the CD23 antigen as well as the release of soluble CD23 from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of atopic donors. PBL were stimulated with allergen (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Der.p.), cytokines (interleukin-4, interferon-gamma; IL-4, IFN-gamma) or combinations of stimuli. CD23 levels were enhanced after the addition of allergen or IL-4 (10 U/ml) up to 10-fold compared to spontaneous expression. Soluble CD23 (sCD23) release was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner by allergen or IL-4. The combined addition of IL-4 and allergen resulted in an expression of CD23 as well as sCD23 release from PBL that was higher compared to the effects obtained with a single component. The production of Ig(E,G) increased in the presence of IL-4 (10 U/ml). This effect was enhanced after the addition of allergen. In contrast, the addition of allergen alone did not modulate IgE synthesis but revealed an enhanced IgG synthesis. Spontaneous as well as allergen- or IL-4-induced CD23 expression was significantly reduced in the presence of IFN-gamma, whereas the concomitant sCD23 release was enhanced in a dose-dependent fashion. IgE synthesis (spontaneous, IL-4 induced) was suppressed in the presence of IFN-gamma. IFN-gamma also reduced the IL-4-enhanced IgG secretion, whereas the spontaneous IgG production was not affected.

Allergens↗

Pustulosis palmo-plantaris. Clinical and histological changes during etretin (acitretin) therapy.

We examined the clinical and histological effects of etretin in pustulosis palmo-plantaris (PPP) in a multicentre study. 30 patients with PPP were treated with etretin in a double-blind study. After a 4-week interval of either etretin (50 mg/day) or placebo (randomized), all patients received etretin during a second period of 20 weeks (the dosage was individually varied). The effect of etretin was verified clinically and by immunhistochemical methods. The number of pustules in a 4 cm2 reference area diminished within the first 4 weeks from 8.5 to 1.9 (etretin group) and from 9.0 to 6.2 (placebo group). Within a maximum of 24 weeks 16% of the patients showed a complete remission, 44% a pronounced improvement, and 22% little improvement. The state of 2% of the patients deteriorated. Immunhistologically, the number of granulocytes was reduced in the inflammatory infiltrate and in the pustules. Etretin is therefore a retinoid, which is easily controlled and effective in PPP.

Acitretin↗