FC032 Chronic urticaria and helicobacter pylori infection

s122

Free Communications

FCO30 The gamma-probe guided sentinel lymphonod ectomy in the primary therapy of malignant melanoma D. Bachter ’ , B.R. Balda’, H. Vogt’, H. Btlchels3. ‘Dept. of Dermatology and Allergology; 3Dept. of II. Surgery, Augsburg,

2Dept. of Nuclear Germany

Medicine:

The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is defined as the first tumor-draining lymph node. By the histopathological examination of the removed SLN we have the possibility of selecting this group of patients clinically according to a stage I or II (UICC) but already have micromorphologically progressed to a stage III and who would profit from a radical lymph node dissection of the corresponding region. Since the beginning of 1995 we have practiced a gamma probe guided sentinel lymphonodectomy (y-SLNE) in patients after injecting a colloidal 99m-Tc labelled tin (II)-sulfid solution around the tumor or the scar if the melanoma has been excised before. By this technique the detection and excision of the SLN succeeded in all cases. We found micrometastases in about 27% of patients with pT3 and pT4 melanomas, the following material of the radical lymph node dissections contained no further metastases, recurrences did not occur until today. The y-SLNE is a reliable technique with a minimal range of complications that may replace elective lymph node dissection that was discussed for decades.

FCO31 Pulsed dye laser - Other therapeutic possibilities Stefanie Hellwig ’ , Christian Raulin2, D. Petzoldt. ’ University of Heidelberg, Dermatology

Department of Dermatology; and Phlebology, Karlsruhe,

2F’ractice Germany

of

Beside the common indications for pulsed dye laser therapy port wine stains, hemangiomas, spider nevi and telangiectasias - there are some more interesting indications for this laser. Superficial xanthelazmata can be treated by pulsed dye laser less painfully and easier as by argon- or CO2 - lasers. Angiofibromas in adenoma sebaleum can be treated, if there are red, flat lesions. Sebaceous gland hyperplasia also by pulsed dye laser. Cutaneous Kaposi’s sarcoma associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome may be treated, but there are many recurrences. Pulsed dye laser treatment may be an alternative therapy for chronic plaque psoriasis. Cutaneous lesions of lupus erythematosus in some cases could be effectively treated by pulsed dye laser. Granuloma faciale may be treated successfully by dye laser, as could be shown in some cases.

General Dermatology FC032 Chronic urticaria and helicobacter pylori infection K. Kalimo, M. Liutu, R. Leino, .T.Uksila, H. Kalimo. The Turku

University

Central

Hospital,

Turku,

Finland

The etiology of chronic urticaria (CU) is rarely recognized. Infections have been included as possible causes for this disease.

-

General

Dermatology

We conducted a study of the significance of H. pylori infection in association with CU and the effect obtained by H. pylori eradication. The prevalence of H. pylon’ infection in CU patients was in line with the overall prevalence rates for H. pylori in age matched population. To study the effect of H. pylori eradication 59 patients were selected for further follow up. 32159 patients were successfully treated for H. pylori and 78% became free of urticaria or the symptoms were alleviated while among 1 l/59 CU patients with persistent infection and 16159 without evidence of H. pylori, the cure rate was only 40% during the six months follow up. The difference in the rates of clinical improvement are statistically highly significant (p < 0.003). Our study suggests that H. pylori gastritis is one of the etiological factors in CU. We therefore conclude that every patient with CU ought to be examined for the presence of H. pylori and in positive cases eradication therapy should be prescribed.

FC033 Climatotherapy of psoriasis at the Dead Sea Spa Medical Center in Jordan Zuhair Z. Bisharat. Dead Sea Spa Medical

Center;

Jordan

The DEAD SEA regions, the lowest place on earth, has unique natural healing properties. These special qualities are used to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis vulgaris, psoriasis arthritis, atopic dermatitis and joint disorders. A total of 519 patient were enrolled in this study at the DEAD SEA SPA MEDICAL CENTER in JORDAN. 29% of the patients had a complete clearances. 60% of the patients had a significant and moderate improvement. The follow up of 215 patients showed that the majority maintained a clearance for longer time compared to other modalities of therapy. The treatment consists of gradually increasing sunlight exposure and bathing in the DEAD SEA, lubricants and olive oil, keratolytic ointments are used topically, oibath and tar ointments applied if needed. Climatotherapy is a natural and safe therapy with high percentage of improvement.

FC034 Improvement of functional disorders after surgery of the lesser saphenous vein P.J.M. Mulkens, H.G. Kluess, H. Prieur, E. Rabe, H.W. Kreysel. Department

of Dermatology,

University

of Bonn,

Germany

Patients and Methods: Between 1988 and 1994, 108 patients (125 legs) were operated upon for varicosis of the lesser saphenous vein. Crossektomie and Stripping of the lesser saphenous were performed in all patients. Partially miniphlebectomie or perforans ligatur had been carried out also. 76 patients, 57 woman (75%) and 19 males (25%) with a median age of 54 years were documented with a median follow up of 3 years. Several complaints and symptoms of venous insufficiency (feeling of heaviness, cramps in the calf muscles, painful sensations, swelling in the evening, paraesthesia, et cetera) were registered pre- and postoperatively for each leg (92). Results: A statistical significant reduction of most complaints and symptoms is seen in patients after crossektomie and stripping of the lesser saphenous vein (p < 0.0006).