[Pachydermodactyly : A rare but benign consequence of repetitive movement patterns]. / Pachydermodaktylie : Eine seltene und benigne Folge repetitiver Bewegungsabläufe.

Pachydermodactyly is an acquired swelling of the lateral aspects of the fingers and is thought to be a reactive pattern due to exogenous factors, such as repetitive mechanical friction. We describe the clinical case of a 17-year-old male patient who presented with the typical symptoms of pachydermodactyly.

Structural asymmetry as a dermatoscopic indicator of malignant melanoma--a latent class analysis of sensitivity and classification errors.

Asymmetry of pigmented skin lesions is an important indicator of possible malignant melanoma and contributes substantially to the diagnosis of melanoma in the dermatoscopic ABCD rule for melanocytic lesions and other algorithms. However, it may be observer dependent. Dermatoscopic asymmetry cannot be assessed objectively and no golden standard of asymmetry diagnosis exists. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity of axis (a-) symmetry using latent class analysis. We analysed ratings from four experts in dermatoscopy of 232 pigmented lesions by latent class analysis (LCA). Possible ratings were 'no asymmetry', 'asymmetry in one axis' and 'asymmetry in two axes'. A subset of melanocytic lesions (blue naevi excluded) was analysed. Based on LCA, the asymmetry of the singular lesion was determined. The sensitivity of 'no asymmetry' was 40-77%, 40-70% for one-axis asymmetry, and 77-92% for two-axes asymmetry. Overestimation of asymmetry was more common than underestimation. Melanomas were significantly more asymmetric than pigmented naevi, atypical naevi and papillomas, but not basal cell cancers. Analysis of the melanocytic subset gave similar results. The median asymmetry of malignant melanomas (1.67, interquartile range 1.81-1.99) was higher than for melanocytic naevi. In conclusion, asymmetry and symmetry are important criteria for diagnosing or excluding malignant melanoma using the dermatoscopic ABCD rule, risk stratification and other diagnostic rules. Using LCA, we minimized observer dependence in the assessment of axis (a-) symmetry. LCA, besides conceptualizing the diagnostic process, enables the assignment of lesions to their true diagnostic class.

Dermatoscopic prediction of melanoma thickness using latent trait analysis and likelihood ratios.

Breslow thickness and Clark level can be used to determine surgical procedures for cutaneous malignant melanoma and patient eligibility for experimental adjuvant therapy. Efforts to predict the thickness of melanomas using dermatoscopy have focused on differences between single dermatoscopic findings. The aim of this study was to develop a method for preoperative identification of melanomas of > or = 1 mm Breslow thickness using the entire range of dermatoscopic findings. Sixty-five melanomas were assessed for the presence of 22 dermatoscopic features. Ten dermatoscopic features showed differences in thick and thin melanomas and were selected for further analysis. A latent trait analysis construct implied that a progression in dermatoscopic features was associated with advancement of melanomas. Early melanomas are characterized by a light brown colour, a pigment network and irregularity or heterogeneity. Gray-blue areas, white scar-like areas and an atypical vascular pattern gradually displace these features. Likelihood ratios were determined for these 6 dermatoscopic findings and an algorithm for calculating the probability of thick malignant melanoma was established.

[Sunbathing habits and risk of melanoma]. / Solvaner og melanomrisiko.

The increasing frequency of malignant melanoma (MM) is believed mainly to be due to the habit of sunbathing, which has an impact on the skin due to ultraviolet radiation, especially if intermittent and causing sunburn. Frequent use of tanning booths possibly increases the risk of MM but the question has not been settled. Use of sunscreens has a certain prophylactic effect on actinic keratoses, but no documented effect on MM. This does not imply that sunscreens are not advisable, but stresses the importance of correct use of sunscreens together with other sun protective measures. Primary prevention of MM is mainly a question of minimizing the impact of ultraviolet radiation (including tanning booths) on the skin: limit time in the sun, cover up with clothing, and use a sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15.

[Dermatoscopic diagnosis of cutaneous malignant melanoma. Secondary prophylaxis]. / Dermatoskopisk diagnostik af kutant malignt melanom. Sekundaer profylakse.

During the last four decades the incidence of malignant melanoma has increased seven fold. Clinically, it is often difficult to distinguish malignant melanoma from a benign naevus. The macroscopic clinical ABCD rule and the Glasgow 7-point checklist are didactically helpful, but inaccurate with many false positive and negative diagnoses. Dermatoscopy performed by a trained physician has increased the diagnostic accuracy to a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 80% (meta-analysis of 11 studies). The dermatoscopic ABCD rule and the Risk Stratification method (RS) are reviewed.

Comparison of dermatoscopic ABCD rule and risk stratification in the diagnosis of malignant melanoma.

For didactic and documentation purposes the dermatoscopic ABCD rule and the dermatoscopic risk stratification have been proposed. The aim of this investigation was to compare the ability of the 2 methods to separate patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma from individuals with other pigmented skin lesions. Three dermatologists, experienced users of dermatoscopy, assessed macroscopic clinical and dermatoscopic slides from 258 patients referred to the skin cancer outpatient clinic by the ABCD rule and risk stratification methods. Diagnostic performance of the 2 methods was compared by receiver operating characteristics curve analysis. When all pigmented skin lesions were compared, there was a trend for the observers to perform better using risk stratification. When only lesions with a well-defined pigment network were included, the diagnostic performance of the risk stratification method was superior to the dermatoscopic ABCD rule (areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve median 0.93 vs. 0.80, p<0.004) for all observers. The agreement between the 2 methods was moderate to substantial (kappa coefficient 0.53-0.62). More melanomas were identified when the rules were combined. The dermatoscopic ABCD rule has been accepted as a standard for identifying melanomas with the dermatoscope, but should be considered secondary to pigment network analysis.

[Zinc deficiency and pellagra in alcohol abuse]. / Zinkmangel og pellagra ved alkoholmisbrug.

We report two cases of nutritional deficiency with skin symptoms associated with excessive intake of wine and beer, causing respectively pellagra and zinc deficiency. Supplementation with niacin and zinc had a prompt effect on the skin changes. These cases emphasize the importance of keeping nutritional deficiencies in mind in patients with inadequate nutrition and alcohol abuse.

The dermatoscopic ABCD rule does not improve diagnostic accuracy of malignant melanoma.

The dermatoscopic ABCD rule has been suggested to improve diagnostic performance regarding cutaneous malignant melanoma. Using this rule, a total dermatoscopy score is calculated from the presence of various dermatoscopic elements. A total dermatoscopy score above 4.75 signifies possible and 5.45 probable melanoma. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of dermatoscopy with and without the use of the ABCD rule. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed for the ABCD rule. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.854 (range 0.777-0.906) demonstrating that in 85.4% of the cases, cutaneous malignant melanomas were rated higher than the non-melanoma skin lesions. Sensitivity for the melanoma diagnosis was higher for simple dermatoscopy than when the ABCD rule was used (p<0.05). There was no difference in specificity when a total dermatoscopy score of 4.75 was used as cut-off point, but specificity was lower for simple dermatoscopy than when the total dermatoscopy score of 5.45 was used. Diagnostic accuracy was higher for simple dermatoscopy than for the ABCD rule (p<0.01). In conclusion, the dermatoscopic ABCD rule was not superior to simple dermatoscopy, and fewer malignant melanomas were identified with this rule.

Clinical and dermatoscopic diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Assessed by expert and non-expert groups.

We investigated the nosographic and diagnostic probabilities and likelihood ratios of dermatoscopy in order to evaluate the method's role in decision-making regarding melanoma. Clinical slides and dermatoscopic photos were obtained from 232 patients referred for dermatoscopy. Four dermatoscopy "experts" and 5 "non-experts" assessed the slides. Diagnoses were compared with histopathology. Sensitivity of the clinical assessments was 0.78 vs. 0.69 ("experts" vs. "non-experts"), sensitivity of dermatoscopy assessment was 0.83 vs. 0.69 (p = 0.04). The expert group demonstrated increased specificity (from 0.89 to 0.94) when applying dermatoscopy compared with clinical assessment alone (p=0.03). Positive likelihood ratios were doubled in the "expert group" and the negative likelihood ratios improved 25% with dermatoscopy compared with clinical assessment.

[Interobserver variation in the Red-Yellow-Black wound classification system]. / Interobservatørvariation ved rødt-gult-sort-sårbeskrivelsessystemet.

Communicating wound descriptions between disciplines for treatment and wound care necessitates a simple and unequivocal classification system. The Red-Yellow-Black (RYB) system has been suggested to comply with these demands. The reliability of the RYB-system has, however only been investigated in small studies. The aim of this study was to determine interobserver homogeneity (group Kappa a.m. Schouten) of the RYB-system and further to examine whether interobserver homogeneity was dependent on educational level. One-hundred-and-twenty photo-slides of non-healing ulcers of various etiologies were shown to 21 observers who recorded their assessments in an entry form without discussing their assessments with the other observers. Eighty-nine percent of the possible assessments were completed. Observed agreement for all observers = 0.65; Kappa = 0.47. Kappa-coefficient in subgroup of nurses = 0.49, subgroup of physicians with less than three years of experience with wound treatment = 0.46 and for physicians with more than 10 years of experience with wound healing = 0.48. In conclusion, we demonstrated moderate interobserver agreement for using the RYB-characteristics. The RYB-system is useful for communication about wound care and treatment. However, continuous education and consensus meetings are advisable to increase agreement.

[Interobserver variation in wound assessments]. / Interobservatørvariation ved sårbeskrivelser.

Agreement in describing a chronic leg ulcer is pivotal in identifying and treating impediments to the healing process. Six nurses and one doctor without special experience with wound healing registered wound related diagnoses for a five month period. On average each patient was seen by three observers yielding 270 registrations. Agreement beyond chance (global kappa) showed poor to moderate agreement. Agreement was best for the yellow or malodorous wound and lowest for cellulitis, hypergranulation and peripheral pulses. This emphasizes the importance of allocating wound treatment to specialist departments with access to paraclinical investigations.

Comparison between visual score and erythema index (DermaSpectrometer) in evaluation of allergic patch tests.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: During the last decade several new bioengineering methods have been proposed for evaluation of patch test reactions in a more objective manner. The aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of erythema index (DermaSpectrometer) in a clinical setting, i.e., reading of allergic patch tests. METHODS: Twenty patients with known allergy to formaldehyde participated in the study. Each patient had patch tests for 2 days with formaldehyde solutions from 0 to 10,000 p.p.m. applied. Clinical reading of the test sites and measurement of the erythema index by the DermaSpectrometer were done 24 h after removal. A control group of 20 volunteers with no allergy to formaldehyde were tested in a similar way. RESULTS: Erythema indices were significantly higher for visually rated positive patch tests than for negative tests (P<0.05). The single categories of visually positive reactions (+?, +, ++, +++) could not be unambiguously separated by the DermaSpectrometer. The correlation between clinical readings and the formaldehyde concentration (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, r=0.60) was higher than between DermaSpectrometer readings and the formaldehyde concentration (r=0.35). CONCLUSION: In a dilution series of formaldehyde patch testing, readings from a DermaSpectrometer were not found to give better information than visual readings.

[Medication errors in a pediatric department]. / Fejlmedicinering på en børneafdeling.

In a prospective study, iatrogenic medication errors were registered among paediatric admissions. The two most common causes of incidents were neglecting to give a medication on schedule and administration of an incorrect dose-but extra dose errors, errors of omission, wrong rate errors and administration of unauthorized drugs also occurred. After implementation of a satellite pharmacy, medication error rates were compared, and a reduction of the more serious and potentially harmful incidents was shown.

Gentamicin concentrations in human subcutaneous tissue.

Wound infections frequently originate from the subcutaneous tissue. The effect of gentamicin in subcutaneous tissue has, however, normally been evaluated from concentrations in blood or wound fluid. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of gentamicin in human subcutaneous adipose tissue by a microdialysis technique. Seven healthy young volunteers each had four microdialysis probes placed in the fat (subcutaneous) layer of the abdominal skin. After the administration of a 240-mg gentamicin intravenous bolus, consecutive measurements of the drug concentrations in serum and subcutaneous interstitial fluid were obtained simultaneously for 6 h. The tissue gentamicin concentration peaked after 10 to 30 min. The peak concentration in the tissue was 6.7 +/- 2.0 mg.liter-1 (standard deviation), equivalent to 39.1% of the peak concentration in serum. The area under the concentration-versus-time curve for the first 6 h in the tissue was 1,281 +/- 390.0) mg.min liter-1, equivalent to 59.7% of the area under the concentration-versus-time curve in serum. It is concluded that the microdialysis technique can be used to make dynamic and quantitative measurements of the gentamicin concentration in human subcutaneous tissue. In this adipose tissue, the peak concentrations of gentamicin were approximately seven times the MIC for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 33 times the MIC for Staphylococcus aureus after the administration of an intravenous bolus of 240 mg, indicating the presence of sufficient concentrations in the adipose tissue to be effective against common bacteria.