10 years quality assurance of the dermatologist's procedure. ABD review board part II: 2003-2009.

Background: The dermatologist's procedure ("procedure for early detection of occupational skin diseases") enables dermatologists to conduct the relevant diagnostics at the expenses of the statutory employers' liability insurance funds (UVT) if there is a possibility of a work-related skin disorder in an employee. Acceptance of this most relevant tool for secondary prevention in occupational dermatology in Germany is high and most dermatologists make careful use of this unparalleled privilege. However, there have been occasional complaints by the UVT, concerning overly extensive diagnostics.

Tacrolimus ointment in the treatment of occupationally induced chronic hand dermatitis.

Background: Occupational hand dermatitis (OHD) is a common and often chronic condition. Usage of topical corticosteroids is limited in long-term therapy because of potential side-effects. New treatment options are highly appreciated.

[Four years of quality assurance of dermatologic procedures: report from the ABD clearing institution].

Background: Expert dermatologic evaluation is the most relevant tool for secondary prevention in occupational dermatology in Germany. If there is a possibility of a work-related skin disorder in an employee, dermatologists may conduct the relevant diagnostic procedures (e.g.

[The restored masterwork. The old man, his rhinophyma and the child].

"The old man and the child" is a masterpiece by the Renaissance painter Domenico Ghirlandaio, which was restored a few years ago. We speculate as to the likely origin of the scratches on the old man's face and discuss the complicated restoration of the painting.

[Patient authorization for the release of reports of work-related skin disorders].

In Germany, if the dermatologist has definite proof that a patient's skin disorder is severe or chronic, work-related and requiring a change in occupation, then he or she must issue a Berufskrankheitenanzeige (loosely translated as occupational disease notification). The patient's consent is not required for this mandatory form, which has to be submitted even if the patient is opposed. On the other hand, if there is only a possible connection between the occupation and the skin disorder, or if the skin disease is neither severe nor chronic nor threatening pursuit of the occupation, then the dermatologist needs only write a Hautarztbericht (dermatologist's report).

[Life threatening salicylate poisoning caused by percutaneous absorption in severe ichthyosis vulgaris].

In a 7-year-old boy, ichthyosis vulgaris was treated with a 10% ointment for application over a large area of the body surface. In this way, the child received 400 g salicylic acid (0.6 g/kg body weight per day) percutaneously over a period of 4 weeks.

[Neurodermatitis in primates: a case description of a female gorilla].

Neurodermatitis or atopic dermatitis appears to be more widespread among animals than has been assumed hitherto. We report on a female gorilla in Saarbrücken Zoo; after years of captivity the animal developed recurrent eczema in the crooks of the elbows and knees. An interesting aspect of this case is that apparently psychological factors stemming from a partner conflict led to manifestation of the disease.

[Lesch-Nyhan syndrome without self-mutilation: biochemical and morphological studies on blood cells (author's transl)].

Absent enzyme activity of hypoxanthine-guanine-phosphoribosyl transferase in erythrocytes was demonstrated in the blood from a 21-year-old man with spastic tetraplegia, choreoathetosis, oligophrenia, and hyperruricaemia which developed after birth. But there was no tendency towards self-mutilation, considered to be characteristic of the full-blown picture of the disease. This case thus runs counter to the view that the enzyme defect is the cause of the inevitable, stereotyped change in behaviour.

[Hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia].

This paper reports a family with typical features of hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (h.e.d.