In the past, several authors described an association of vitiligo with autoimmune disorders and the presence of different tissue autoantibodies. A review of the literature showed large differences in the results. Therefore, 321 patients with vitiligo (male/female ratio 114/207) were examined to see whether the frequencies of associated diseases and phenomena (i.e. Koebner phenomenon, canities praecox, halo nevi, poliosis circumscripta), the number of pigmented lesions and the presence of autoantibodies are of significance in order to support (a) a subentity of childhood vitiligo and (b) whether there is a true predisposition or association of autoimmune or other diseases in this group of patients. The data confirm earlier results of a prevalence of thyroid disease and the presence of thyroid antibodies, whereas other diseases are a random event. 6.2% of the patients had congenital nevi compared with 2.8% in a normal healthy population. Based on the results of this study and the significant higher risk for development of melanomas in this patient group, an annual checkup is recommended.

Summarizing the FMISO uptake represents a global value for macroscopic tumor parts. As a noninvasive measurement this method seems highly feasible to evaluate the state of oxygenation in subjacent tumors.

Generalized argyrosis can produce a number of abnormalities, including skin discoloration, liver and kidney dysfunction. We describe a patient with generalized argyrosis following long-term self-treatment with oral silver intake, in whom skin discoloration, progressive taste and smell disorders, vertigo and hypesthesia were observed. These findings were confirmed by chemosensory tests and electrophysiological investigations. The development of hypogeusia was assessed by subjective tests, while the progression of hyposmia was followed by recording olfactory evoked cortical potentials. Light and electron microscopy of tissue samplings demonstrated electron-dense mineral deposits in basal membranes, in macrophages, in the perineurium of peripheral nerves, along elastic and collagenous fibers, and in necrotic cells of the oral submucosa. Silver and sulfur deposits in affected tissues could be defined by X-ray microanalysis. The quantitative ratio between silver and sulfur in involved tissues was similar to that of an inorganic silver-sulfide (Ag2S) standard. The minute increase in the sulfur content when compared to the inorganic standard suggested a sulfur containing organic matrix of the tissue precipitates. Our findings indicate that the affinity of silver for membrane and neuronal structures and the deposition of silver as an insoluble compound (Ag2S) induce the progression of clinical disease.

Distribution and redistribution of intra- and pericellular calcium was investigated in the parotid gland of rats under secretory stimulation and hypercalcaemia. The effects of hypercalcaemia and secretory stimulation and of the combination of both were compared. Calcium content was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Calcium distribution within the tissue was demonstrated by light microscopical ( GBHA ) staining and electron microscopical (pyroantimonate method) cytochemistry in combination with X-ray microanalysis. Typical calcium depot sites were the basal and cellular membranes, the calcium buffer organelles (i.e. mitochondria) the secretory granules and the acinar lumina. After stimulation (by isoprenalin ) a decrease of calcium-enriched secretory granules and a depletion of intracellular calcium buffer organelles occurred. During hypercalcaemia (induced by dihydrotachysterol), a calcium overloading of the cell membrane and intracellular buffer organelles without calcification was observed. Combined stimulation and hypercalcaemia induced an excessive calcium overloading of all intra- and extracellular calcium depots with excessive calcium release into the acinar lumina resulting in calcium phosphate aggregates and stone formation. Secretory stimulation and simultaneous hypercalcaemia exert potentiating effects on intracellular and intraluminal calcification proposing an importance for pathogenesis of human sialolithiasis.

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