Assessment of echographic regression criteria in ruthenium-irradiated melanoma

Steady flattening of the tumor, increasing reflectivity and decreasing vascularity are echographic signs of successful irradiation treatment. The specific example of an irradiated choroidal melanoma shows that the absence of echographic changes by no means excludes tumor destruction. Because of a dense vitreous body hemorrhage, the melanoma could only be evaluated echographically. Since the echogram lacked evidence of regression, the tumor was locally resected 5 months later. Histology, however, revealed an amorphous mass of dead tissue pervaded by intact vessels. Apparently a successfully irradiated melanoma may generate an echo typical of vital melanoma tissue. The authors therefore draw the conclusion that only a steady tumor growth, as substantiated by an echogram, may be considered an unambiguous sign of tumor vitality.     

Influence of body mass index on measured and calculated androgen parameters in adult women with Hirsutism and PCOS.

There is growing evidence that obesity in women lead to a more severe form of hyperandrogenism and other endocrine abnormalities which may have some health implications later in life. Obese females are at higher risk for metabolic syndrome due to severe hyperandrogenemia. Calculated values for free testosterone are equivalent to those obtained by equilibrium dialysis, which is one of the reference measurement procedures (RMP) for estimation of free testosterone and may be capable of replacing values estimated using RMP's. For adult women correlations of body mass index (BMI) with calculated free (cFT) and bioavailable testosterone (cBT) are still rare, while these data are reported for peripubertal and adolescent girls. In this study we aimed to investigate the association between BMI and different androgen parameters (including calculated free and bioavailable testosterone, free androgen index, and sex hormone-binding globulin [SHBG]) in adult women with Hirsutism and with PCOS. In hirsute women with BMI > or = 25 kg/m2 measured total testosterone (TT) was significantly higher, SHBG was significantly lower and the calculated androgen parameter (FAI, cFT and cBT) were significantly higher compared to women with BMI < 25 kg/m2. In PCOS women with BMI > or = 25 kg/m2 TT was significantly higher, SHBG was significantly lower and the calculated androgen parameter (FAI, cFT and cBT) were also significantly higher compared to women with BMI < 25 kg/m2. In both the Hirsutism and PCOS-group there was a positive correlation between BMI and TT, cFT, and cBT, while BMI was negatively correlated with SHBG. In summary, in adult women with Hirsutism and PCOS obesity is associated with increased levels of TT and decreased levels of SHBG resulting in significant elevated calculated free and bioavailable testosterone levels. Obesity might lead to a more severe form of hyperandrogenism with elevated calculated free and bioavailable testosterone in the study population.     

Klinische Wertigkeit einer dermatoskopischen Klassifikation von Clark‐Nävi

Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the practical value of the dermatoscopic classification of Clark nevi Patients and methods: Dermatoscopic images of 268 lesions clinically and dermatoscopically diagnosed as Clark nevi were presented to 2 dermatologists without knowledge of the histological diagnosis. The dermatologists evaluated the lesions according to a simplified version of the classification scheme for Clark nevi proposed by Hofmann‐Wellenhof and differentiated between 12 different types of Clark nevi. Results: The most common type of Clark nevus was the reticular‐homogenous type (n = 64, 23,9 %), followed by the globular‐homogeneous type (n = 32, 12 %) and by the homogenous type (n = 30, 11,2 %). The overall inter‐rater agreement between the examiners was moderate to good (kappa = 0,58). The highest level of agreement was found for the peripheral hyperpigmented type (kappa = 0,83). Histologically, 17 lesions (6,3 %) were diagnosed as melanomas. The frequency of melanoma was highest among the peripheral‐hyperpigmented type for one observer and among the homogenous type for the other observer. No melanoma was found among the globular, reticular‐globular, and the central‐hyperpigmented types. Conclusions: A dermatoscopic classification of Clark nevi is practically feasible and allows – to some extent – a risk stratification of Clark nevi, which could be useful for clinical management.     

Cognitive deficits among functionally psychotic patients: a rehabilitative perspective

Psychological and neuropsychological assessments of psychiatric patients are usually designed to contribute to or document psychiatric diagnoses. The present article suggests that reframing the task to focus on cognitive rehabilitation issues can contribute significantly to the treatment of the chronic patient. A test protocol is proposed and exemplary tests suggested.     

Respiratory tract infections due to different rhinovirus serotypes and the influence of maternal antibodies on the clinical expression of the disease in infants.

Rhinoviruses were isolated from nasopharyngeal secretions of 49 children hospitalized because of severe respiratory tract infection. The isolates were typed using 90 type-specific antisera. No obvious relation between certain serotypes and the severity of illness was found. Serum samples were drawn from all children simultaneously with the nasopharyngeal secretions and screened for the presence of type-specific neutralizing antibodies. Children aged 1 week to 6 months had higher neutralizing antibody titers and revealed a lower degree of morbidity than older children. The decline of neutralizing serum antibodies with increasing age was correlated with a higher incidence of severe disease in those aged 7-12 months. Nevertheless, also in this age group children with mild clinical courses of disease were observed despite a low concentration or an absence of neutralizing serum antibodies. This indicates that not only neutralizing serum antibodies, but other factors also influence the clinical expression of RHV-induced disease.