[Flow cytometric studies of human brain tumors. Part I: Human malignant brain tumors (author's transl)]

This report concerns the distribution of the DNA content in cells obtained from seven nonneoplastic, human brain tissue specimens and from eight different kinds of malignant human brain tumors of 30 patients. Analysis was carried out by flow cytometry suing suspensions of single separated cells stained with propidium iodide as DNA-intercalating fluorochrome. Normal, non-stimulated lymphocytes served as diploid controls. An average of 91% of the cells from non-neoplastic brain tissue was diploid (2C) and these cells were presumable in G0 or G1 stage of the cell cycle. In specimens from malignant brain tumors the proportion of diploid cells in G0 or G1 stage varied between 35 and 89%. In these specimens polyploid (including triploid, tetraploid and hypertetraploid) cells were frequently observed. From the distribution of their DNA content the 14 specimens of glioblastomas were classified into 3 types. Specific patterns were noted in type III-b which was characterized by two peaks having the same heights. The cerebral metastasis displayed the greatest variations in ploidy and these tumors, on basis of their DNA distribution were divided into 3 types. As shown in the present study the cytofluorometric analysis of malignant brain tumors revealed characteristic features: 1) multiple DNA peaks, 2) wide ploid variations ranging from 2C to 8C, 3) variability of DNA content patterns and distribution, 4) relatively large portions of cells in S and G2 + M phase of the cell cycle, 5) presence of heteroploid and polyploid cells. Because flow cytometry has distinct advantages over other methods in permitting rapid analysis of large populations of cells with a high degree of reproducibility, results obtained with this technique may be of significant clinical importance.

[Ischemic cerebral symptoms after subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysmal rupture (author's transl)]

Among 169 patients treated at our clinic during past six years there were twenty-four cases (14 per cent) in which cerebral ischemic symptoms gradually developed after full recovery from SAH due to aneurysmal rupture. Duration form the aneurysmal rupture to the onset of ischemic symptoms varied from four days to fourteen days (8 days on average). As the initial symptoms hemiparesis and disturbance of consciousness (18 and 14, respectively) were two major symptoms, and those who showed disturbance of consciousness had more grave prognosis than those with hemiparesis. There were no correlations between the initial symptoms and the sites of aneurysm, but the ICA cases had definitely poor prognosis among those who developed ischemic signs after SAH. Those who became symptomatic within 7 days after SAH had poorer prognosis than those who showed initial symptom more than 8 days after SAH. On angiograms which were done shortly after the onset of symptoms, severe and extensive vasospasm was noted in all cases but four in which degree of vasospasm was not so severe and extensive. Operative treatment, when done within 5 days after the onset of ischemic symptoms had poorer results than when done over 6 days. As a conclusion, it is necessary to watch for possible onset of ischemic symptoms, especially in ICA patients, when seen later than four days after SAH. If ischemic symptoms were present and progressive, the operative treatment should be postponed until clinical course turns uphill by intensive treatments.