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Biomedical subjects

W Stolz

Publications and source records attributed to W Stolz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Prognostic significance of DNA cytometry in comparison with histologic measurements in malignant melanomas.

In the present study we evaluated the prognostic impact of both DNA cytometry and quantitative histology in patients with malignant melanoma (MM). In contrast to previous investigations on sections, rapid image analysis (IA) of imprint specimens was performed to measure DNA cytometric features; 34 cases of stage I MM with low (< 1.5 mm, n = 20) and higher tumor thickness (TTH) (> 1.5 mm, n = 14) were analyzed. We found significant correlations between cytometric features and TTH, which is accepted as the most important prognostic criterion in MM. Higher TTH was closely correlated with the rate of markedly aneuploid nuclei, which is indicated by the 5c exceeding rate (5cER; r, 0.89; p < 0.001). The gain of chromatin in thicker tumors was accompanied by higher mean nuclear area (MAREA; r, 0.60; p < 0.001) and mean DNA content (MDNA; r, 0.58; p < 0.001). Additional evidence for prognostic significance of cytometry was obtained by preliminary survival analysis of 16 cases (four patients died within 2 1/2 years and 12 patients survived for at least 4 1/2 years). Applying multivariate stepwise discriminant analysis, a combination of TTH, level of invasion (LEV), 2c deviation index (2cDI), and modified standard deviation of the DNA values (SDNAM) proved to be most effective. One hundred percent of the cases were correctly classified as survivors or nonsurvivors. TTH and the 5cER were found to be the best univariate criteria for prognosis. In the U test according to Mann and Whitney, a significant discrimination of survivors and nonsurvivors was possible using either TTH or the 5cER, respectively (p < 0.02). Thus, we would like to conclude that IA of imprint specimens can be recommended as a rapid and simple additional method for grading.

Algorithms

[Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma with eye involvement. Overview and case report].

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is a rare disease marked by yellowish-brown plaques with destructive growth and a tendency to ulceration, which shows a characteristic histopathological pattern of palisading granuloma with foam cells, Touton's and foreign-body giant cells, bizarre multinuclear giant cells, cholesterol clefts and marked necrobiosis of the connective tissue. Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is associated with IgG paraproteinaemia, and occasionally with an IgA paraproteinaemia. Ocular symptoms and visceral involvement are common. We report a case of a 53-year-old woman with periorbital necrobiotic xanthogranuloma, ocular involvement and IgG paraproteinaemia, who had undergone argon-laser treatment to no avail following a diagnosis of xanthelasma. Periorbital xanthelasma-like lesions with a tendency to ulceration in combination with unexplained ocular symptoms consisting of keratitis, scleritis, episcleritis or uveitis should suggest the diagnosis of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma, especially if they are associated with paraproteinaemia.

Diagnosis, Differential

[Clinical and electron microscopy study of sudden deafness treatment with the 10% HES 200/0.5 and pentoxifylline combination].

The incidence of sudden hearing loss has increased. The pathogenetic mechanisms are still unknown, but viral infections and vascular phenomena with acute impairment of microvascular perfusion are thought to play a major role. Infusion of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is used as a regimen to treat sudden hearing loss. In our clinic, anaphylactic reactions due to HES have not been observed so far. However, the use of HES is still discussed controversially due to long-term storage of HES molecules in tissue and due to high incidence of long-lasting pruritus. In a retrospective analysis of 118 patients treated with HES for sudden hearing loss, we observed pruritus starting in 64% of patients one to three weeks after therapy. This symptom with a duration between two weeks and four months was refractory to medical interventions. During therapy with HES improvement of hearing was observed in 75% of patients, in 62% improvement of hearing persisted still at the end of the observation period (7 months post infusionem). Light and electron microscopic assessment of human skin biopsies of one patient after treatment with HES showed storage of HES especially within dermal macrophages. Pathogenetically a pathway independent of histamin seems responsible for the induction of pruritus. Accordingly, classic antihistaminic drugs had no therapeutic effect in our patients. Dextran is used as an alternative to hydroxyethyl starch. In contrast to HES, the often mentioned higher incidence of severe anaphylactic reactions due to dextran has dramatically decreased with hapten inhibition (after preinjection of monovalent haptendextran Promit).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Auditory Threshold

Interaction of liposomes with human epidermis reconstructed in vitro.

Upon topical application of liposomes of the large unilamellar vesicle type to human epidermis reconstructed in vitro, there is a dose-dependent alteration of the morphology of both the stratum corneum and the living part of the epidermis. In particular, shrunken lipid droplets are found between corneocytes and keratinocytes. Sometimes, corneocytes show inclusions reminiscent of 'cholesterol crystals'. Corneocytes, moreover, show a decreased density. Both corneocytes of the various layers of the stratum corneum and keratinocytes belonging to the uppermost layer of the living epidermis show particularly osmophilic membranes, indicating lipid transfer. Intact liposomes or their remnants can sometimes be seen between corneocytes of the upper strata. The presence of liposomal lipid within the stratum corneum is supported by the presence of gold particles used as a marker. There is, however, no evidence for the uptake of intact liposomes by the living epidermis, or their passage through this compartment of the skin.

Culture Techniques

Localized cicatricial pemphigoid of the Brunsting-Perry type with transition into disseminated cicatricial pemphigoid. Report of a case proved by preembedding immunogold electron microscopy.

BACKGROUND: In 1979, Provost described two patients with the clinical features of disseminated cicatricial pemphigoid for the first time. Until now, only four additional cases of disseminated cicatricial pemphigoid have been described. Existence of diagnosis of disseminated cicatricial pemphigoid has been discussed controversially because in four cases investigated by electron microscopy the blister formation was found below the lamina densa, which is indicative of an epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. OBSERVATION: A 78-year-old woman is presented with a generalized eruption of blisters leaving behind scars that developed after a 7-year-long history of mild circumscribed recurrent blisters and scarring eruptions that had been diagnosed previously as Brunsting-Perry type of cicatricial pemphigoid. Immunofluorescence antigen mapping disclosed the blister formation above the lamina densa. Electron and immunoelectron microscopy using a preembedding immunogold technique revealed blister formation and antibody binding within the lamina lucida, predominantly below the subbasal dense plate. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical features of disseminated blistering followed by scarring, the immunofluorescence antigen mapping, and the electron and immunoelectron microscopic findings in our case for the first time clearly prove the existence of a disseminated cicatricial pemphigoid.

Aged

[The interdisciplinary aspects of notalgia paraesthetica].

For 3 years a 75-year-old man with type II diabetes had been suffering from paroxysmal pruritus in a circumscribed area of brown discoloration of the skin over the left should blade. This condition, also known as notalgia paraesthetica, is a rare, but perhaps underdiagnosed, neurocutaneous entity, a largely sensory neuropathy due to a muscular compression phenomenon. In this case histological examination of a biopsy specimen showed focal acanthosis, obvious basal hyperpigmentation and discrete perivascular lymphocytic infiltration with numerous melanophages. At first, glucocorticoids were administered unsuccessfully against the distressing pruritus. Purely symptomatic local capsaicin treatment decreased the pruritus temporarily. Endocrinological diagnosis failed to demonstrate multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome 2A, which has been frequently described in association with notalgia paraesthetica.

Aged

[Incontinence operation by "Retzius-scopy"? An endoscopic modification of the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz operation].

The operative treatment of stress incontinence with the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedure has proved effective. A new, endoscopic modification of this procedure is presented here, based on the principle of vesico-urethral suspension with fibrin glueing. Open abdominal surgery is replaced by retziusscopy and a minimal invasive endoscopic intervention in the Retzius' cavity.

Female

Successful treatment of hydroxyethyl starch-induced pruritus with topical capsaicin.

We report a case of recalcitrant pruritus after infusion therapy with hydroxyethyl starch (HES) for sudden deafness. The diagnosis was confirmed by detection of typical HES storage vacuoles within dermal macrophages and perineural cells. Treatment with antihistamines and antipruritic agents, UVB irradiation, and neuroleptic drugs, was ineffective. Topical capsaicin (0.05%) twice daily produced excellent symptomatic relief, without side-effects.

Administration, Topical

Papular elastorrhexis: a variant of dermatofibrosis lenticularis disseminata (Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome)?

BACKGROUND: Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder clinically characterized by the appearance of disseminated white papules and osteopoikilosis. Histologically most cases show normal collagen and increased elastic tissue. Abortive forms of Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome are described, which show characteristic skin involvement, absence of skeletal changes and decreased elastic tissue. Papular elastorrhexis is characterized by nonfollicular, white papules, decreased elastic tissue, no genetic inheritance and no osteopoikilosis. OBJECTIVE: Is papular elastorrhexis a new entity or an abortive form of Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome? METHODS: We examined three members of one family (brother, sister and mother) presenting with nonfollicular, distributed, white papules on the trunk and extremities. Skin biopsies were examined by histological and electron-microscopic methods. RESULTS: The histological and electron-microscopic examinations of skin biopsies showed decreased, fragmented elastic fibers and normal collagen. By X-ray examination, no osteopoikilosis was found. The family presented here supports a genetic background of the disease. CONCLUSION: The clinical appearance with the absence of osteopoikilosis and the histological findings of our cases suggest the diagnosis of papular elastorrhexis. Papular elastorrhexis however was reported to be nonfamilial. Because of the genetic background found here we believe that papular elastorrhexis is an abortive form of Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome. Summarizing our data and reviewing the literature, we suggest that connective tissue nevi with the most prominent alterations in the elastic tissue should be classified under the term elastic tissue nevi.

Adolescent

In situ localization of IgG in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita by immunogold technique.

BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is an immunologically mediated mechanobullous dermatosis. Recently, serum antibodies in patients with EBA have been reported to bind to the carboxyl terminus of type VII collagen, the disease antigen. However, the precise localization of immunoglobulins in diseased skin has not been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: In the present study skin samples taken from a 59-year-old man with EBA were processed for immunoelectron microscopy. METHODS: A preembedding immunogold ultrastructural technique was applied. RESULTS: Gold particles, indicative of IgG binding, were deposited within the anchoring plaques and within the lamina densa in some perilesional skin sections. In a similar distribution, IgG-containing amorphous aggregates were detected within the basement membrane zone of perilesional and lesional skin. In some places these immunoglobulin deposits covered the whole region of anchoring fibrils. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the precise localization of IgG within the basement membrane zone of EBA skin that corresponds to the carboxyl terminus of collagen VII in normal skin.

Diagnosis, Differential

[Initial results of a new method of sonographic diagnosis of lung maturity].

The immaturity of the foetal lung is one of the central problems in obstetrics. In this paper first results are presented to determine the maturity of the foetal lung by sonography. Using the foetal liver as a reference organ we are avoiding the known pitfalls which made it impossible in the past to standardise the foetal lung changes depending upon the age of gestation. We examined 121 patients between week 27 and week 41. In one ultrasound section cut we depicted lung and liver as well. According to the known A-mode we registered frequencies in both organs. The registered frequencies were entered digitally into a computer and checked for f mean, f max and f min. Subsequently we calculated quotients of frequencies of the foetal lung and liver. For all weeks of gestation the mean value and standard deviation were calculated. We found that the liver is an adequate reference organ, since there is no change in the reflection pattern between the different weeks of gestation. We registered significant differences in the quotients of lung and liver between the different weeks of gestation, a cutting line being week 35. A quotient of Q mean lower than 1.1 hints to lung maturity while values over 1.1 point to immaturity.

Female

[Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of benign and malignant breast tumors--initial clinical experiences].

Previous experimental and clinical studies showed, that three-dimensional (3-D), i.e. dynamic spatial reconstruction of 2-D ultrasound images is feasible. A rotating acoustic plane helps to visualise the cross-sections serially and in a coordinated manner. When reconstructing the 2-D ultrasound images, surface reconstruction from planar contours of each cross-section is performed (so that the organ limits are defined) and the cross-sectional pictures are reconstructed into 3-D organ images. This approach had been described by the authors on a previous occasion. Another step forward is "transparent" spatial imaging eliminates the source of error involved in contouring. It is important to emphasise, that the 3-D system now described by the authors, yields a spatial image of the organ in question, and does not just present 3 planes of the organ (some authors have been claiming, that such an imaging method is also three-dimensional). Our system enables the imaging of several cross-sectional planes cut through the spatially calculated organ. This results in cross-sections, which cannot be performed by conventional sonography, thus disclosing new perspectives and possibilities. In the present article, the authors describe a clinical pilot study in the diagnosis of carcinomas of the breast. In our opinion, 3-D imaging of the tumours enables the physician to diagnose the status of the tumours; this is demonstrated by the examples of 35 malignant and benign tumours of the breast. In 95% of the cases of malignant tumours and 80% of the benign tumours, the diagnosis proved correct. This paper describes the fundamental possibilities and limitations of the new method.

Breast Neoplasms

Ultrastructural immunogold studies in two cases of linear IgA dermatosis. Are there two distinct types of this disease?

It has been suggested that patients with homogeneous linear IgA deposits at the basement membrane zone constitute a distinct bullous disorder called linear IgA dermatosis (LAD) of adults or children. The results of the present ultrastructural immunogold study in two patients with LAD suggest that LAD is not a single disease entity. LAD in a 10-year-old girl was found to be ultrastructurally similar to an IgA-type pemphigoid. IgA was detected in the uppermost lamina lucida underlying the basal cell plasma membrane. In a second patient, an 86-year-old man, IgA deposits were present within the lamina densa and the anchoring plaques. The distribution of IgA in this patient was ultrastructurally identical with that of IgG in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita skin and with that of the non-collagenous globular terminus of collagen VII within the basement membrane zone of normal skin. By using the immunogold technique, we could distinguish two distinct types of LAD according to the IgA binding sites in the diseased skin. We suggest that different labelling patterns may correspond to different clinical pictures.

Aged

Replication of parvovirus B19 in hematopoietic progenitor cells generated in vitro from normal human peripheral blood.

Erythroid progenitor cells generated in vitro from peripheral human blood in the presence of interleukin-3 and erythropoietin were infected with human parvovirus B19. B19 virus DNA replication was highest 48 to 72 h after infection, and maximum levels of B19 virus proteins were detected in culture supernatants at 72 to 96 h after infection. B19 virus propagated in vitro was infectious. This cell culture system with peripheral blood cells facilitates studies in vitro of B19 virus replication.

Blood

Ultrastructural binding sites of endomysium antibodies from sera of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and coeliac disease.

The ultrastructural binding sites of endomysium antibodies, specific serological markers of gluten sensitive enteropathy, were investigated in the rabbit oesophagus using the immunogold technique. Endomysium antibodies from sera of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and with coeliac disease bound in an identical manner in a non-fibrillar material closely associated with fine collagenous-reticulin fibrils and also with similar fibrils connecting smooth muscle cells and elastic tissue in the endomysial connective tissue. These observations suggest that IgA antibodies in sera from patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and coeliac disease recognise a common antigen in an amorphous component associated with the reticular connective tissue of oesophageal lamina muscularis mucosae and thus confirm the probable identity of IgA class endomysium and jejunal antibodies.

Animals

Mineralocorticoids and mineralocorticoid receptors in mononuclear leukocytes in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

To examine the role of mineralocorticoids in the pathophysiology of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), we studied plasma aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone levels in 25 women with PIH and 25 normal pregnant women, as controls. Furthermore, we evaluated the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) status in mononuclear leukocytes in the 2 groups. MR count was significantly (P less than 0.0005) decreased in the PIH group (148 +/- 9 binding sites/cell) compared with the control group (300 +/- 17 binding sites/cell; mean +/- SEM). Plasma aldosterone in women with PIH was 281 +/- 61 pmol/L; in normal pregnant women it was 697 +/- 172 pmol/L (P less than 0.025). Plasma 18-hydroxycorticosterone was also significantly (P less than 0.025) lower (PIH, 1071 +/- 149 pmol/L; controls, 1907 +/- 318 pmol/L). These values were determined at the onset of clinical symptoms of PIH. These results cannot be explained by receptor down-regulation due to higher levels of mineralocorticoids in PIH; a hitherto unknown mineralocorticoid may, thus, be responsible for the hypertension and altered MR status.

18-Hydroxycorticosterone

[Ultrasound diagnosis of fetal lung maturity--a new method].

First results are presented to determine the maturity of fetal lung by sonography. Using the fetal liver as a reference-organ we are avoiding the known pitfalls which made it impossible in the past to standardize the fetal lung changes depending on the age of gestation. We examined 104 patients between week 27 and week 41. In one ultrasound section cut we depicted as well lung and liver. According to the known A-mode we registered frequencies in both organs. The registered frequencies were entered digitally into a computer and checked for f(mean), f(max) and f(min). Afterwards the frequencies of the lung were divided by those of the liver. Of all weeks of gestation the mean value and standard deviation were calculated. We found the liver as an adequate reference-organ, since there is no change of the reflection pattern between the different weeks of gestation, while there are significant changes to be registered in the fetal lung, a cutting line being week 35. A quotient of f(mean) lower than 1.1 hints to lung maturity while values over 1.1 point to immaturity. This was confirmed by several cases of analysis of amniotic fluid (L/S-ratio). Further comparisons with amniotic fluid results will have to validate these findings.

Amniocentesis