[Scurvy with simultaneous wet beriberi in 2 patients]. / Skjørbuk med samtidig våt beriberi hos to pasienter.

Two patients developed the clinical picture of scorbut and simultaneous wet beriberi. The diagnosis was confirmed by low concentrations of ascorbic acid and thiamin and thiaminfosfate-ester in serum and in whole blood. Treatment with ascorbic acid led to a rapid reversal of scorbutic changes, but the changes due to the wet beri-beri persisted. Thiamine supplementation was given only perorally in the first patient, and a severe catabolic state in the other delayed the improvement in the beriberi. Direct determination of ascorbic acid and thiamin and thiaminfosfate-esters in serum and in whole blood may confirm the diagnosis of vitamin deficiencies.

[Primary sclerosing cholangitis. Illustrated by an unselected hospital material]. / Primaer skleroserende kolangitt. Belyst i et uselektert sykehusmateriale.

During the period from 1985 to 1993 primary sclerosing cholangitis was diagnosed in 16 patients, five females and 11 males, mean age 43 years. 12 of the patients (75%) had inflammatory bowel disease. Among 262 patients with ulcerative colitis, cholangitis was found in ten, whereas the disease was diagnosed in only two (1.9%) of the 108 patients with Crohn's disease. In eight patients (50%) no progression of the cholangitis was observed. However, six patients (38%) died during the observation period, three 19% due to cholangiocarcinoma and one due to liver failure. Cholangiocarcinoma is frequently found in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. A mortality of 38% indicates a serious clinical course in many patients.