[Oral 13-cis-retinoic acid therapy in adenoma sebaceum symmetricum and the most severe forms of acne and rosacea].

Twenty-one patients with severe acne (acne papulopustulosa, acne conglobata, acne cystica), six patients with severe rosacea (rosacea paulopustulosa, rosacea conglobata, rhinophyma), and three patients with tuberous sclerosis were treated with 13-cis-retinoic acid for 6-48 weeks. Most patients had been previously treated with dermabrasion, antibiotics or metronidazole. Dependent on the severeness of the pathological symptoms 13-cis-retinoic acid was administered at a dose of 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg body weight and was then reduced every 4 weeks. We confirm the sebostatic and antiinflammatory effect of the 13-cis-retinoic acid and long-lasting remissions. Side effects had not been serious.