Plasma globulin determinations in patients with microglioma

Abstract

✓ Five patients are described with cerebral microglioma or reticulum cell sarcoma. The tumors varied from local neoplasms to multicentric or miliary foci. One of these patients is the second case reported of a microglioma associated with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Serum electrophoresis on the other four patients did not reveal any consistent abnormality or pattern. Immunoglobulin studies performed on three of the five patients confirmed Waldenström's syndrome in one, revealed an elevated IgA globulin in a second, and was normal in a third. Cerebrospinal fluid findings included elevated spinal fluid protein in all five patients. The brain scan was abnormal in all four cases so tested. Arteriograms in four patients demonstrated tumor blushes indicative of increased numbers of enlarged vessels. The relationship between reticulum cell sarcomas originating in the central nervous system and those originating elsewhere is discussed.