[Radiation therapy of psoriasis and parapsoriasis]

Selective UV-Phototherapy with lambda 300-320 nm (SUP) as well as oral photochemotherapy with 8-methoxy-psoralene plus UVA-radiation (PUVA intern) are very effective in clearing the lesions of th generalized psoriasis and those of the chronic forms of parapsoriasis. Being treated with 4 suberythemal doses per week psoriasis patients are free or nearly free of symptoms after averaging 6.3 weeks of SUP-therapy or after 5.3 weeks of PUVA orally. The PUVA-therapy is mainly indicated in pustular, inverse and erythrodermic psoriasis as well as in parapsoriasis in plaques and variegata. In all other forms of psoriasis and in pityriasis lichenoides chronica, we prefer the SUP-therapy because of less acute or chronic side effects, and because of its better practicability. X-rays are indicated in psoriasis of nails, grenz-rays in superficial psoriatic lesions of the face, the armpits, the genitals and the anal region.