PUVA-cream photochemotherapy for the treatment of localized scleroderma.

Background: The efforts to treat localized scleroderma, including therapies with potentially hazardous side effects, are often unsatisfactory. Recently, PUVA-bath photochemotherapy has been proven highly effective in the treatment of localized scleroderma. Another form of topical PUVA therapy, 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) containing cream or gel preparations, has been proven to be as effective as PUVA-bath therapy for palmoplantar dermatoses.

Raynaud's phenomenon, anticentromere antibodies, and digital necrosis without sclerodactyly: an entity independent of scleroderma?

We describe 4 women of 43, 73, 84, and 86 years with Raynaud's phenomenon, severe digital necrosis, and high serum levels of anticentromere antibodies without skin thickening or internal organ sclerosis. Investigations revealed no diabetes or arterial vascular disease leading to arterial obstruction. Histologic examination did not show any dermal sclerosis or calcinosis.

[The UV record. Document for quality control, therapy planning and risk assessment in dermatologic photo- and photochemotherapy].

Ultraviolet (UV-) radiation therapy as a mono- or combination therapy (UV-A, UV-A1, UV-B, SUP, UV-B311) or as photochemotherapy with photosensitization (systemic PUVA-, bath PUVA-, topical PUVA-therapy) are successfully used for the treatment of several dermatological disorders. Long-term side effects of natural UV (sun light) include photoaging and induction of skin tumors. At present, the relevance of in-vitro findings of potential tumor induction in animals through therapeutic levels of UV radiation is a matter of debate.