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P Altmeyer

Publications and source records attributed to P Altmeyer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Objectivity, reproducibility and validity of 3D ultrasound in dermatology].

Recently it has become possible to visualize the three-dimensional (3D) architecture of sonographic structures using high-resolution ultrasound above 20 MHz (Dermascan C, Denmark; DUB 20, Germany). We studied the objectivity, reproducibility, and validity of these two 3D analysis systems on 22 skin tumors. To validate both systems, we compared the sonometric and histometric volume in 4 tumors. The objectivity was calculated by repeated evaluation of the volume on the same serial B-scan sections at 3-month intervals. The two-dimensional B-scans and 3D images exhibited similar characteristics. Volumetric evaluations were reproducible with both systems (variation coefficient < or = 9.9%), when the applicator was oriented longitudinal to the body axis. By changing the orientation, the coefficient increased up to 58.1% (DUB 20). Sonometric and histometric volumes of a phantom model and of the tumors exhibited small deviations in the Dermascan C (< or = 8.1%) and in some tumors large deviations in the DUB 20 (< or = 93.1%). We can conclude that the 3D sonography is a reproducible method, which can be used to evaluate the volume of skin tumors and metastases under chemotherapy or radiotherapy. We suggest in particular to use the in-vivo tumor volume as a prognostic parameter for the malignant melanoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Anti-CENP-B response in sera of uranium miners exposed to quartz dust and patients with possible development of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).

OBJECTIVE: To look for anti-CENP-B antibodies and their diagnostic relevance in patients negative and positive for anticentromere antibodies (ACA) with different risk for the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc), including uranium miners exposed to quartz dust. METHODS: We studied sera of 107 patients with SSc, 121 patients with possible SSc, 202 uranium miners heavily exposed to quartz dust, 14 patients with vibration induced white fingers, and 240 control patients. Subjects were screened for ACA by indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells (IIF-ACA) and then for anti-CENP-B autoantibodies by an ELISA using eukaryotically expressed human full length recombinant CENP-B protein. RESULTS: All IIF-ACA positive sera of "idiopathic" SSc (N = 19), "idiopathic possible" SSc (N = 6) and other patients (N = 11), and 17 of 19 IIF-ACA positive sera of miners exposed to silica with (N = 13) and without (N = 6) symptoms of SSc reacted with CENP-B in this assay. Of the 622 IIF-ACA negative sera, 28 were found positive for anti-CENP-B. There was a significant increase of the prevalence of anti-CENP-B antibodies in IIF-ACA negative patients with possible SSc (11 of 109) and in miners exposed to silica (11 of 196) compared to a group of men older than 60 years with diseases or symptoms not related to SSc (1 of 138). CONCLUSION: (1) CENP-B is also the major target of the IIF-ACA response in diseases other than scleroderma and in the risk group of miners exposed to quartz dust. (2) Anti-CENP-B antibodies can be found in IIF-ACA-negative sera, particularly in those at risk for SSc. (3) The detection of anti-CENP-B antibodies in miners exposed to quartz dust may indicate a high risk group for developing SSc and reveals possibilities for the study of early pathogenetic changes as well as exogenic and endogenic factors involved in the development of this disease.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1992

Malignant melanoma in 20-MHz B scan sonography.

In order to assess the value of 20-MHz sonography in the pre-operative diagnosis of malignant melanomas, 54 melanomas were examined. The pre-operative ultrasound scans were compared with corresponding histological sections from the excised tumours. A computer-aided measurement of the tumour thickness (sonometry) and the internal echo density (densitometry) was performed in the ultrasound scans. The melanomas appeared as largely echolucent zones. There was a significant correlation between the tumour thickness measured in the ultrasound scan and those measured in the histological sections (r = 0.938, p less than 0.001). As a rule the tumour thickness determined by sonometry were greater than the histometrically determined values. Subtumoral inflammatory infiltrate and other hypo-echoic structures in the region of the tumour are possible causes of the discrepancies. Some of those hypo-echoic structures can be identified and disregarded in B scan measurement. Even if a definite differential diagnosis is not possible on the basis of the ultrasound scan alone, 20-MHz sonography provides additional information which can be of use in surgical planning.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

The pustule in palmoplantar psoriasis: transformed vesicle or mature microabscess? A three-dimensional study.

Psoriasis on the palms and soles is characterized by pustules, vesicles and hyperkeratotic plaques. Several studies have postulated that the pustules and vesicles are round or egg-shaped. This three-dimensional study reveals that neither pustules nor vesicles have a regular spherical morphology. The vesicles are located in the upper and middle layers of the epidermis and may exhibit dumb-bell- or banana-shaped lumina. The pustules consist of different compartments combining characteristics of a dyshidrotic vesicle with those of a microabscess of Munro.

Abscess↗
PubMed1992

[Immunogenetic studies of familial occurrence of progressive systemic scleroderma and circumscribed scleroderma].

Two different forms of scleroderma in one family are described: the mother suffers from systemic sclerosis and her daughter from linear morphoea. The observed HLA antigens indicate that systemic sclerosis and morphoea have various features in common. The immunogenetic data can be used to calculate the aetiological and preventive fractions, which together with environmental hazards and other risk factors describe the HLA-associated potential for provocation of scleroderma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[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↗
PubMed1992

[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↗
PubMed1992

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↗
PubMed1992

[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↗
PubMed1991

[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↗
PubMed1991

[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↗
PubMed1991

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↗
PubMed1990

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↗
PubMed1990

[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↗
PubMed1990

[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↗
PubMed1990

[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↗