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.

Tolerance of topical retinaldehyde in humans.

Background: Retinaldehyde (RAL) has been used as a topical agent in many countries since 1994.

Aim: To review current data on the tolerance of retinaldehyde and to report the results of a long-term pilot study.

Methods: Data from published and on-file studies have been compiled.

Human herpes-virus 8 seropositive patient with skin and graft Kaposi's sarcoma after lung transplantation.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) has been reported after solid organ transplantation mostly in recipients of renal, liver, heart, and bone allografts. We describe the first case of a patient with lung transplantation who developed KS of the skin, but also of the lung graft. The tumors were localized to places of previous trauma, implying the involvement of a Koebner phenomenon.