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Biomedical subjects

J Howitz

Publications and source records attributed to J Howitz.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Deposits of complement and immunoglobulins in vessel walls in pyoderma gangrenosum.

Previous immunofluorescence studies on pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) proved negative. Biopsies from the ulcer edge of 8 patients with PG were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy. Deposits of complement C3 were seen in the vessel walls of all samples, IgM in three and IgA in one. Granular deposits of C3 were seen at the dermal--epidermal junction in 2 patients. Biopsies from clinically normal skin of 6 of the patients were negative. It is suggested that deposition of immune complexes in the dermal vessel walls may play a role in the pathogenesis of PG.

Blood Vessels↗

Normal function of the thyroid gland in PUVA-treated psoriatics.

Ten psoriatics who were started on therapy with psoralen plus long-wave ultraviolet radiation (PUVA) were investigated for a possible influence of the treatment on the thyroid gland function. No statistically significant changes were found in the levels of serum thyroxine, triiodothyronine or thyrotropin obtained after 2 and 4 weeks' therapy and 3 months after cessation of therapy.

Adolescent↗

A variant of the Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome with temporal lobe astrocytoma.

An 8-year-old boy with a variant of the Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTW syndrome) is described. The hemangiomatous tissue located to the right half of his trunk and extremities was hypotrophic. On the same side, on his face and gingivae the tissue appeared hypertrophic and dental abnormalities were present. Moreover, the patient suffered from psychomotor epilepsy caused by a right-sided temporal astrocytoma. The connection between the KTW syndrome and the neurocutaneous syndromes is discussed.

Angiomatosis↗

Prevalence of vitiligo. Epidemiological survey on the Isle of Bornholm, Denmark.

The prevalence of vitiligo was 0.38% in 47,033 people in a representative region in Denmark. Both sexes were equally affected. No significant difference was found in the distribution of 179 patients with vitiligo among five municipalities or between urban and rural districts. The age-specific prevalence increased from 0.09% under the age of 10 years to 0.90% in the age group 60 to 69 years. After the age of 70, the prevalence declined. This fall might reflect an increased incidence of vitiligo during the past few decades. The number of new cases of vitiligo increased steadily with advancing age, its onset being most often between the ages of 40 and 60 years. It is assumed that the prevalence of vitiligo in Denmark applies also to the northwestern part of Europe.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of resistant psoriasis with oral 8-methoxypsoralen and longwave ultraviolet light (PUVA). A treatment schedule and a follow-up study.

Thirty-one patients with resistant psoriasis were treated with 8-methoxypsoralen orally, followed by irradiation with long-wave ultraviolet light (PUVA). The initial irradiance was 1.4 Joule/cm2, increased by 0.5 Joule/cm2 at the following exposures, to a maximum of 4.2 Joule/cm2. The 8-methoxypsoralen dosage was approximately 0.5 mg/kg body weight. In 17 patients psoriasis cleared completely after 10.8 +/- 3.4 exposures (mean +/- S.D.). In 12 patients the healing was almost complete after 14.5 +/- 5.8 exposures. Adverse effects were negligible. After clearing, the patients were followed without further therapy. Psoriasis recurred in approximately half of those patients followed for more than 2 months, on average 5 weeks after cessation of treatment. PUVA is an effective and agreeable therapy for recalcitrant psoriasis. Further studies must be carried out to evaluate the risks of a long-term treatment.

Follow-Up Studies↗