[Prevention and early diagnosis of malignant melanoma]. / Forebygging og tidlig diagnostisering av malignt melanom.

A Norwegian melanoma project was carried out in 1989-1993 as a joint study by the dermatological, surgical, oncological, and pathological departments at the five university hospitals in Norway, Of 4,582 patients (2,894 women, 1,688 men) diagnosed and treated at the Department of Dermatology, Ullevål Hospital, 1,347 patients (833 women, 514 men) were included in the analysis, which consisted of a clinical evaluation and pathological investigation of their excised pigmented lesions. In all, 66 malignant melanomas were diagnosed, including 50 superficial spreading melanomas, seven lentigo maligna melanomas, eight nodular melanomas, and one acral lentiginous melanoma. Persons with red hair and skin type I/II were at increased risk of developing malignant melanoma. Superficial spreading melanomas excised during the study period had a significant lower histological thickness compared with those lesions excised before the study period.

[Phototoxicity and photoallergy]. / Fototoksisitet og fotoallergi.

As phototoxic and photoallergic reactions have been recognised as unwanted skin manifestations caused by any of several hundred substances, drugs and chemicals, it is essential to determine the potential photo-sensitising properties of such substances before they are introduced in clinical therapy or made available on the market, in order to avoid such reactions. In cases of phototoxic reactions, the patient presents with skin changes resembling sunburn, sometimes accompanied by blistering, whereas in cases of photoallergic reactions the skin changes are similar to those of allergic contact dermatitis. The two most important aids to clinical investigation are determination of the erythema treshold, or the minimal erythema dose, and photopatch testing. The article reviews the basic mechanisms of photosensitisation, outlining the most important differences between phototoxic and photoallergic reactions, summarises the most frequent photosensitisers, and presents the diagnostic procedures, including the tests used in experimental phototoxicity.

[Drug-induced photosensitivity in Norway. An analysis of reports from the period 1970-93]. / Medikamentindusert fotosensibilisering i Norge. En analyse av rapporter fra tidsrommet 1970-93.

We have reviewed the data on unwanted side effects of drug therapy, as reported to the Norwegian Medicines Control Authority during the period 1970 to 1993. In all, 13,000 unwanted side effects were reported during this period. The number of recorded side effects was analysed especially in respect of unwanted reactions of the skin and appendages, and photosensitive reactions. 799 reported side effects involved the skin and appendages. Out of these, 64 reports (8%) were classified as being photosensitive reactions. Tetracyclines, diuretics and antihypertensive agents were the drugs most often causing photosensitive reactions, although several uncommon photosensitizing drugs were also reported. The actual risk of photosensitisation is discussed in the light of the prescriptions of these substances actually issued.

[Benign symmetric lipomatosis--Launois-Besaude syndrome. A case report]. / Benign symmetrisk lipomatose--Launois-Bensaudes syndrom. En kasuistikk.

We describe the case of a 38-year-old male with a benign symmetrical lipomatosis Launois-Bensaude. He has suffered from severe obesity since the age of seven. At the age of 30, hypogonadism was diagnosed and treated. He developed a Pickwick-syndrome, with hypokapnia and secondary polycytemia. Ulcerations developed on the lower parts of his legs, which were treated conservatively for many years at our dermatological clinic. Because of intertriginous dermatitis in the right groin, he treated himself with external corticosteroids containing dequalonium. Ulceration and fatty necrosis followed, necessitating extensive plastic surgical intervention, with removal of approximately 30 kg of skin and adipose tissue.

[Structural abnormalities of the hair shaft]. / Strukturelle hårskaftabnormaliteter.

The diagnosis of structural abnormalities of the hair shaft is of clinical relevance, since such abnormalities may indicate underlying metabolic disorders, or may be associated with other diseases. Many of the abnormalities present themselves as alopecia and are due to greater fragility of the hair shaft. An outline of some of the most common hair shaft abnormalities is given, as shown by patients with trichorrhexis nodosa, pili torti, "uncombable hair" and pili torti et canaliculi.

[Contact allergy to essential oils]. / Kontaktallergi overfor eteriske oljer.

Ethereal oils are widely used, in food, toothpaste, as flavouring agents in perfumes and cosmetics, and in dermatological treatment, as antiseptics, adstringenta, antipruritic tinctures, lotions and pomades. The use of ethereal oils seems to have increased in recent years, probably due to a growing interest in alternative medicine, and especially aromatherapy. By describing the cases of three patients with allergic contact dermatitis, we wish to point out possible unwanted side effects of using ethereal oils.