Kristian Thomsen

Dermatomyositis and malignancy

The records of eighteen patients with dermatomyositis were reviewed, of which nine had an associated malignancy. There was no difference in sex distribution, muscle enzyme values, and response to treatment between patients with uncomplicated dermatomyositis and those with co‐existing malignant disease.

Beta-carotene in erythropoietic protoporphyria: 5 years' experience.

36 patients from 19 families with erythropoietic protoporphyria were treated for about 5 years during the summer months with beta-carotene alone or beta-carotene plus canthaxanthin in daily doses of 50-200 mg. The effect of the treatment was evaluated clinically on the basis of information provided by the patients regarding the period of time they could stay in the sun. 18 patients became completely free of symptoms, 16 patients improved to some extent, and 2 patients noted a slight effect. Apart from the carotenaemia, no side-effects were recorded.

Bone Marrow Involvement in Mycosis Fungoides Demonstrated by Needle Biopsy

A bone marrow needle biopsy was performed in 19 patients with mycosis fungoides (MF). Two patients, one previously classified as stage 4 and the other with diffuse erythroderma had pathological bone marrow findings. Seventeen patients showed no evidence of bone marrow involvement, 10 of these were in the plaque stage. Bone marrow biopsy can be of value in assessing the stage of the disease.