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In this experimental study the possible effects of the acitretin on the spermatogenesis of the rats were investigated histopathologically. Thirty-nine male adult Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups as two experimental groups and one control group. The first group consisting 14 rats were applied orally standard dose (0.75 mg/kg/day) acitretin and the second group consisting 16 rats were applied high dose (1.5 mg/kg/day) acitretin. Acitretin was given within dimetil sulphoxide (DMSO), which was diluted with saline solution as a ratio of 1/10, in order to increase its solubility. The control group consisting 9 rats were given only saline solution including DMSO for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of the administration, half of the rats in the first and second groups and the entire control group were sacrificed under deep ether anaesthesia and bilateral orchiectomy was made. The remaining rats were compared with the control group using a similar method at the end of 8 weeks of wash-off period. The orchiectomy materials were histopathologically evaluated under the light microscope for spermatogenesis according to parameters including spermatogenetic activity, spermatogenetic organization, seminiferous tubular diameter, interstitial Leydig cells and fibroblasts. The groups, which were evaluated at the end of the 8(th) and 16(th) weeks, were compared with the control group regarding the mentioned parameters and no statistical significance was observed among the groups. In our study it was concluded that the standard and high doses of acitretin do not have any effect on the spermatogenesis of the rats.

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AIM: To understand the role of epidermal cells in the pathogenesis of lichen amyloidosus (LA) and macular amyloidosis (MA). METHODS: We carried out immunohistochemical investigations on cytokeratins (CKs) in amyloid deposits in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from eight persons with LA and 12 with MA. The primary antibodies of CK1-8 (AE3), CK10 (DEK-10), CK14 (LL002), CK17 (E3), CK18 (DC10), CK19 (KS19.1), CK5/6/18 (LP34) and CK8/18 (5D3) were used in the study. RESULTS: In amyloid deposits, immunoreactivity with only two monoclonal antibodies (CK1-8 and CK5/6/18) was observed in 14 cases (eight LA and six MA), confirming the hypothesis that epidermal cells participate in amyloid formation of LA and MA. COMMENTS: All of the CKs detected in amyloid deposits were basic type (type II). It seems plausible either that acidic CKs might be degraded faster than basic types in amyloidogenesis or that paraffin-embedded tissue specimens are less sensitive than frozen tissue sections. The results of our study suggest that when paraffin-embedded specimens are investigated by immunohistochemical methods, CK5 antibody is useful in the diagnosis of LA and MA.

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BACKGROUND: Lichen planus (LP) is a papulosquamous dermatosis in which immunologic mechanisms play an important role in its pathogenesis. Topical calcipotriol, which mainly stimulates differentiation and inhibits proliferation of keratinocytes, also has immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory functions. AIM: To investigate the therapeutical effects of topical calcipotriol in LP. METHODS: A total of 18 histopathologically proved LP patients were advised to apply calcipotriol ointment twice daily to all affected skin areas except genitalia. Clinical evaluation of all patients was performed monthly and response to treatment was assessed on clinical grounds (erythematous and/or violaceous color, thickness and scale of the lesions) as partial, complete or no response. If there was no response at the end of the second month, topical calcipotriol was stopped. If there was partial clinical improvement at the end of the second month, the treatment was continued for one additional month. RESULTS: In all, 16 patients completed the study. Of the study population, 56.25% (9/16) responded to topical calcipotriol treatment which was used for a maximum of 3 months. Complete clearing of the lesions with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and partial improvement were obtained in 31.25% (5/16) and 25% (4/16) of the patients, respectively. No improvement was observed in 43.75% (7/16) of the patients. CONCLUSION: Topical calcipotriol can be used in the treatment of LP as a therapeutic option, although it is not the first-choice drug.

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On 17 August 1999 a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 on the Richter scale occurred in Marmara region of Turkey and the epicentre of the earthquake was our city. In this study we aimed to determine the influence of a major earthquake on patient admittance's to the outpatient clinic of our dematology department. All the registrations of the outpatient clinic of our dermatology department in a period of 6 months after the earthquake and the same period last year were revised retrospectively and categorized into 15 subgroups. The first 3 months registrations (earthquake group 1) and the second 3 months registrations (earthquake group 2) after the earthquake were compared with those of the same periods in last year, respectively (control group 1 and control group 2). Also the earthquake group 1 was compared with the earthquake group 2. When the results were evaluated, it was seen that the incidence of infections-infestations was significantly higher in the earthquake group 1 when compared with the control group 1. When the earthquake group 2 and the control group 2 were compared with each other regarding the incidences of the skin diseases, no statistically significant difference was found. The incidences of erythematous-squamous skin diseases, pruritus and neurocutaneous dermatoses and eczemas were significantly higher in the earthquake group 2 when compared with the earthquake group 1. On the other hand, the incidences of infections-infestations and dermatoses due to physical factors were significantly lower in the earthquake group 2 when compared with the earthquake group 1. We think that the alteration in the admittance's to outpatient clinic of our dermatology department in the first 3 months after the earthquake is due to the damaged infrastructures and unhygienic life conditions and in the second 3 months is due to psychoemotional factors related to earthquake.

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A variety of drugs have been implicated to induce or trigger pemphigus. A case of pemphigus foliaceus that was probably caused by indapamide, in whom the diagnosis was based on clinical, histologic and direct immunofluorescence testing, is reported here. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported patient with indapamide-induced pemphigus.

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Amiodarone is an effective cardiac antiarytmic drug. Long-term, high dose use of the drug is associated with skin discolouration, corneal deposition and alterations in thyroid hormone levels. We present the case of a 61-year-old woman suffering from the combination of these three side-effects.

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Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA) is characterized by the deposition of amyloid in a previously apparently normal skin with the absence of other systemic or cutaneous disorder. Although ankylosing spondylitis may be associated with secondary systemic amyloidosis, no reports have been found showing the association of this disease with PLCA. In addition, the association of PLCA with autoimmune thyroiditis has not been previously reported. We report a concomitant occurrence of lichen amyloidosis, ankylosing spondylitis and autoimmune thyroiditis in a caucasian woman.

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A 30-year-old man presented with numerous papules, nodules and inflamed cysts. The lesions were located all over the body, including the scalp, except the palms and soles. His mother and one sister had had similar but less extensive lesions. Histopathology of the biopsy specimens obtained from the anterior chest wall, axillae and the back region was consistent with steatocystoma multiplex (SM). A diagnosis of steatocystoma multiplex suppurativum was made. The inflamed lesions were treated with oral isotretinoin (1 mg/kg per daily) for 6 months. At the same time, cryotherapy was used for non-suppurating lesions smaller than 2 cm. When the patient was evaluated 6 months later, cosmetic results were good. No new lesions have appeared in the subsequent 12-month follow up.

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The F response parameters may provide a sensitive method for detection of mild neuropathy in patients with otherwise normal nerve conduction studies. We investigated conventional nerve conduction studies and F response parameters in patients with Behçet's disease (BD), but without neurologic involvement. The results indicate that ulnar motor and sensory, tibial motor and sural sensory nerve conduction studies failed to differentiate the patients with BD and controls. In the ulnar nerve, the F response parameters were not significantly different for the populations. In the tibial nerve, the F response latency and chronodispersion were increased while F amplitude, duration, and persistence were all decreased in patients with BD. The results suggests that, (1) peripheral nerve dysfunction occurred especially in lower extremities in patients with Behçet's disease. (2) The F response parameters were considered the most sensitive method for the detection of neuropathy in Behçet's disease.

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A large number of dermatoses associated with either morphea and psoriasis have been reported. However, to the best of our knowledge there is only one report in the literature about coexistence of morphea and psoriasis. Here we report a case of morphea and psoriasis that improved with acitretin treatment. The concomitant occurrence of these two dermatoses may be explained by immunological factors or trauma. We think that the improvement of the morphea lesions may be due to an immunomodulatory effect of the drug or a decrease in collagen production by dermal fibroblasts due to retinoic acid.

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A 48-year-old white woman presented with a 2-year history of progressive facial hemiatrophy involving the right side of the chin and tongue, associated with mastigatory spasm. Neurological examination showed no abnormalities. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and electrophysiological investigations were normal. Histopathological examination of a skin biopsy specimen from the chin revealed atrophy of the subcutaneous fat with homogenization of dermal collagen fibres. Phenytoin 100 mg t.d.s. relieved the mastigatory spasm.

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Stasis dermatitis is a cutaneous finding associated with chronic venous failure resulting in venous stasis. Arteriovenous fistula in the hand may cause a chronic venous stasis. We report a case of stasis dermatitis of the hand associated with an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula. Stasis dermatitis should be considered as a potential complication of iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula.

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