Microcalorimetric measurements of tissue cells in vitro

A culture flask was designed for the microcalorimetric measurements of tissue cells by an MS 80 standard calvet microcalorimeter. Tissue cells cultured in this flask behaved in the same manner as in the common culture flask used in cytobiological studies. The thermograms of human adenocarcinoma gastric cells (SGc 7901) and HeLa cells were obtained. The heat output power of SGc 7901 cells continuously increased for 70 h with an initial cell number of 3.0 X 10(5). The thermogram was reproducible under strictly controlled conditions. The relationship between the heat output power and the number of SGc 7901 cells within 48 h was obtained. The heat output power was 40 pW/cell to 49 pW/cell when the cell number was in the range 4.5 X 10(5) to 10.4 X 10(5). It was 62.3 +/- 2.9 pW/cell for HeLa cells when the cell number was 6 X 10(5).

Studies of major histocompatibility complex class I/II expression on sequential human heart biopsy specimens after transplantation

Our previous data indicate that normal human cardiac myocytes do not express detectable levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene products and express only low levels of MHC class I gene products. Examination of heart biopsy samples after transplantation with immunoperoxidase techniques revealed that such myocytes are induced to express high levels of MHC class I/II gene products and that the expression of these gene products appeared to precede histologic evidence of rejection. In efforts to objectively quantitate the level of MHC antigen expression on sequential heart biopsy samples, a radioimmunoassay was set up. Monoclonal antisera was used against human monomorphic MHC class I and II determinants. In addition, to control for the variability in the quantity of biopsy sample, use was made of a monoclonal antisera against human cardiac myosin. A series of three to four sections (4 micron each) of the heart biopsy specimen was treated with each antisera, followed by affinity purified and absorbed iodine 125-labeled goat antimouse immunoglobulin. The mean counts per minute of MHC class I and II was divided by the mean counts per minute obtained with anti-myosin and an index of MHC class I/II derived. Data using such a radioimmunoassay indicate that MHC antigen expression on the heart biopsy specimens does not strictly correlate with histologic rejection grade scores, levels of leukocyte infiltrate, or the immunophenotype of the infiltrating mononuclear cells. Of interest was the finding that an increase in the level of MHC antigen expression occurred before histologic evidence of rejection grades of 3 or greater. In addition, MHC class I antigen expression appeared to increase in heart biopsy samples early during the post-transplant period, followed sequentially by an increase in the level of MHC class II antigen expression. Rejection episodes later during the posttransplant period, however, were accompanied by increased levels of MHC class II antigens. A kinetic analysis of the increase in the levels of MHC class I and II antigens on heart biopsy samples may not only provide a refinement of the histologic scoring of heart biopsy samples for rejection but may also suggest the use of different chemotherapeutic immunosuppressive drug regimens for the treatment of MHC class I as compared with MHC class II dependent rejection episodes.

Establishment and characterization of a malignant glioma cell line, GBM8401/TSGH,NDMC

A permanent human brain malignant glioma cell line, GBM8401/TSGH,NDMC, has been successfully established from a 31-year-old Chinese female with brain glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in monolayer culture and has been subcultured for more than 100 passages during 24 months in vitro. The tumor cell doubling time in vitro was approximately 38 hr. The tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice was observed; the tumor volume doubling time was approximately 4 days. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and 10-nm-diameter intermediate filaments were identified by immunohistochemical peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP), immunofluorescence assay, and transmission electron microscopic methods. The scanning electron microscope revealed numerous surface microvilli and various-sized blebs. Karyotypic analysis showed this malignant glioma cell line to be of human origin, near-diploid with a modal chromosome number of 48,XX.

Transient expression of foreign genes in rice, wheat and soybean cells following particle bombardment

The development of an efficient transformation system is a prerequisite for the molecular analysis of gene expression in plants. In crop plants, this development has been hindered by difficulties encountered both in whole plant regeneration from protoplasts and in the general insusceptibility of monocots to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. We have circumvented these difficulties by transferring foreign genes directly into the intact cells (with cell walls) of three important crop plants including rice, wheat and soybean by a particle bombardment device. Oryza sativa and Triticum monococcum cells were bombarded with accelerated tungsten particles coated with plasmids containing a β-glucuronidase gene as the reporter. Blue transformed cells were detected in an in situ enzyme assay. The number of blue cells was next used as a convenient criterion to study several factors affecting gene transfer efficiency. After optimal conditions were defined, gene transfer into intact cells of O. sativa, T. monococcum and Glycine max was successfully carried out with chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene as the reporter.

Measurement of basilar artery diameter in dogs: CT evaluation correlated with arteriography

In this study we have used a computed tomographic (CT) method using profile analysis to measure the diameter of the basilar artery. In a search for a noninvasive and repeatable method to substitute for the traditional arteriography in the evaluation of the degree of cerebral vasospasm, we employed both CT and arteriography to measure the diameter of the basilar artery in eight adult mongrel dogs weighing between 7 and 12 kg. In three of these animals, assessments were made before and after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) induced by injecting autologous arterial blood into the cistern magna. It was found that the basilar artery diameter as evaluated by CT was 47% larger than that measured by arteriography. However, there was a very good correlation (n = 63, r = 0.75, p less than 0.001) between the two methods. This paper presents a new model for the measurement of the basilar artery diameter, one which may also provide a safer method for the evaluation of vasospasm in humans.

Effects of pingyanymycin on chromosomes: a possible structural basis for chromosome aberration

Pingyanymycin (PYM), and antitumor-antibiotic complex which belongs to the bleomycin family can induce "G2-free chromatin" and "uncompleted-packing-mitotic figures" (UPM) at increased frequency after treatment of cultured human lymphocytes. PYM can also induce an extraordinarily high frequency of chromosomal breaks but few sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) in the same experiment, which is similar to the action of bleomycin. To solve this remarkable contradiction we presume that the UPM is related to a basic mechanism for producing chromosomal aberrations. Our results also show that various steps of the chromosomal cycle can be affected by certain chemical agents, and these treatments lead to chromosomal aberrations. Thus, other testing systems should be used in addition to the SCE system.

[Route and preparation of 5-Fu administration as preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in rectal cancer. II. Morphologic, ultrastructural and histochemical changes of the cancer cells after intrarectal and intravenous 5-Fu administration]

From March 1981 to October 1985, 5-Fu was preoperatively given to 65 Dukes B and C rectal cancer patients (intrarectal suppository 40 and emulsion 20, intravenous 5). The results indicated that after intrarectal administration, marked changes and destruction of the cancer cells in morphology were observed in 40% of the resected rectal specimens for suppository and in 45% for emulsion; marked retrograde degeneration in ultrastructure was found in 47.5% for suppository and in 50% for emulsion; DNA synthesis was obviously reduced in 63% for suppository and in 75% for emulsion. It is suggested that the emulsion be a better preparation. No obvious changes or destruction in morphology and ultrastructure were observed in cancer cells treated by intravenous drip of high dose 5-Fu though leukopenia below 4000 was found in 2/5. However, it was 0/60 by rectal administration. This implies that the intrarectal route is more rational than the conventional intravenous route. This study presents an alternate supplementary treatment in addition to radiotherapy for the reduction of postoperative local recurrence of Dukes B and C rectal cancers.

Epidermal growth factor controls smooth muscle alpha-isoactin expression in BC3H1 cells

We have examined the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor, and insulin on the differentiation of a mouse vascular smooth muscle-like cell line, the BC3H1 cells. On the basis of cell morphology and smooth muscle alpha-isoactin synthesis, we demonstrate that EGF at physiological concentrations prevents the differentiation of these cells, whereas platelet-derived growth factor has no apparent effect. The induction of alpha-isoactin synthesis by serum deprivation is inhibited by EGF in a dose-dependent manner with a half-maximal effect at 3-5 ng/ml and a maximal inhibition at approximately 30 ng/ml. Northern analysis also shows that EGF blocks the accumulation of alpha-isoactin mRNA normally observed during cell differentiation. Addition of EGF to differentiated cells results in a repression of alpha-isoactin synthesis, a stimulation of beta- and gamma-isoactin synthesis, and the stabilization of the nonmuscle isoactins. The synthesis of creatine phosphokinase, a muscle-specific noncontractile protein, is also regulated by EGF in a similar fashion. Modulation by EGF of alpha-isoactin expression is not affected by aphidicolin and is therefore independent of its mitogenic effect on these cells. Insulin is not required for observation of the EGF-dependent effects but instead seems to promote differentiation. Our results show that EGF can replace serum in controlling the differentiation of BC3H1 cells.

[Route and preparation of 5-Fu administration as preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in rectal cancer. I. Concentration and distribution of 5-Fu in tissues monitored by 14C-isotopically tagged 5-Fu]

Experimental studies on more rational route and preparation of preoperative administration of 5-Fu were undertaken from March 1981 to June 1985. The experimental observation shows that intrarectal administration of radioisotope 14C tagged 5-Fu (suppository and emulsion) produces a much higher concentration in the rectal wall and mesenteric lymph nodes compared with its intravenous administration (40 rabbits) and produces a much higher concentration in cancer tissue than in surrounding tissues and in mesenteric lymph nodes than in the inferior mesenteric veins (4 patients). These findings favor the attenuation or destruction of cancer cells in the tumor and regional lymph nodes-the main route of spread. Also, after intrarectal administration of 14C tagged 5-Fu, its concentration in the lung, liver and bone marrow is much lower than that after intravenous administration (40 rabbits), and hence systemic toxicity is decreased. The above results indicate that the intrarectal route stands better than the conventional intravenous route for 5-Fu preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in rectal cancer. Administration of 5-Fu emulsion produces a higher concentration in the rectal wall and mesenteric lymph nodes than that of 5-Fu suppository and peak concentration also appears earlier, i.e. 2 hours after the administration of 5-Fu emulsion. This will lessen the interference of 5-Fu absorption owing to its premature evacuation, indicating that emulsion is a better form for intrarectal 5-Fu.

The role of cruciate ligaments in maintaining knee joint stability

The role of the cruciate ligaments in maintaining the stability of the knee joint is delineated by experimental studies on 21 fresh adult knee specimens in addition to the analysis of symptoms in 111 cases of cruciate ligament injuries. Cruciate ligaments maintain not only the anteroposterior stability, but also rotational and one-plane medial or lateral stability together with the medial and lateral structures. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) plays a part in maintaining anterior one-plane stability and rotational stability of the knee, while the posterior cruciate ligament plays a major part in maintaining both posterior one-plane stability and rotational stability of the knee. An isolated medial (or lateral) ligament (ML) tear can only result in medial or lateral one-plane instability and an increased rotation, but no shift of the axis of rotation occurs. It is not a genuine rotational instability. Both ACL and ML tears are present in one-plane medial, one-plane anterior, and anteromedial rotational instability, but the anterior drawer test or abduction stress test may be negative if the tear of the ACL or ML is partial.

[Value and factors of influence in the combined method of the urine-purple-heat tolerance test in the diagnosis of cancer]

A method combining the urine cancer reaction, purple reaction and heat tolerance test (combined method of urine-purple-heat tolerance) was used to examine 112 normal persons, 110 non-cancer patients and 93 cancer patients. It was found that the accuracy rate of the urine reaction was 82%, of the purple reaction 77.4%, and of the heat tolerance 79%. The combined method showed great diagnostic value for cancers in the digestive tract, such as stomach, biliary duct, colon, pancreas and liver, as well as other cancers, e.g., lung cancer, lymphosarcoma and brain tumor. This method may be best for screening the above tumors. Its positive rate was also high in malignant reticuloma, chronic granulocytic leukemia and reticulosarcoma. The mechanism of the combined method and the influential factors, such as the freshness of the specimen, reactive time, temperature and quality of the reagents are discussed.

The site and the mode of analgesic actions exerted by clonidine in monkeys

We used intracerebral administration of clonidine in monkeys to map effective sites for analgesia. The jaw opening reflex elicited by tooth pulp stimulation was used for analgesia testing. We found that the most consistently effective sites for analgesia in monkeys are in at least three brain regions: the diencephalic periventricular gray, the dorsal raphe nuclei, and the periaqueductal gray. In addition, the analgesia induced by intracerebral administration of clonidine was effectively antagonized by pretreatment of animals with either naloxone (a narcotic antagonist) or yohimbine (an alpha-adrenergic antagonist). These results suggest the existence of an opiate and an adrenergic antinociceptive mechanism in the diencephalic periventricular gray, the dorsal raphe nuclei, and the periaqueductal gray activated by clonidine in primates.

Traumatic intracavernous carotid aneurysm with massive epistaxis

Five cases of traumatic intracavernous carotid aneurysm are presented. All of the patients were young men with a history of severe head injury. The clinical manifestations were massive epistaxis and an ipsilateral cavernous sinus syndrome. The diagnosis was made correctly by carotid angiography. All of the patients developed another episode of massive epistaxis after admission. Emergency trapping of the internal carotid artery was performed. An urgent rescue method was used in one of our patients to prevent exsanguination before definitive surgical treatment. One patient died of exsanguination in spite of emergency ligation of the internal carotid artery. In the other four patients, no epistaxis was experienced after the operation.

Spinal intramedullary pseudocyst. Case report

The authors describe a case of a spinal intramedullary pseudocyst at T-1 that did not communicate with the surrounding spaces. The cystic wall was composed of dense connective tissue without epithelial or neoplastic cells. The patient's condition improved dramatically after surgical removal of the cyst. The literature on spinal intramedullary cystic lesions is reviewed and the etiology of pseudocysts is discussed. This case is believed to be the first in which a pseudocyst has been demonstrated within the spinal cord.

Antitumor effects of gossypol on murine tumors

Since the male antifertility drug, gossypol, was shown to be a specific inhibitor of DNA synthesis at moderately low doses in cultured cells, its antitumor potential has been evaluated in three murine tumor models. The effects of gossypol on tumor growth and the survival of 10- to 12-week-old BDF1 mice bearing mouse mammary adenocarcinoma 755 (Ca 755) or P388 or L1210 leukemias, all injected IP, were measured. At an optimum dose of 0.5 mg/mouse given as a single injection at 2 days (48 h) after the inoculation of 10(5) Ca 755 tumor cells, gossypol rendered 66% of the mice free of tumor cells, whereas the remaining 34% died of drug toxicity. The survival rate decreased sharply at doses on either side of the optimum. At suboptimal doses a major proportion of the tumor-bearing mice died of tumor, whereas at higher doses all the animals died of drug toxicity. In other words, the effective dose range of gossypol was rather narrow. The rapidly proliferating mouse leukemias, P388 and L1210, failed to respond to gossypol. Histopathological studies of various organs in the gossypol-treated mice revealed no consistent lesions that could give an indication of organ-specific toxicity of gossypol. The reduction in the myeloid series in the bone marrow of gossypol-treated mice may have been due to depletion rather than direct toxic effect. Further studies are essential to evaluate this compound with regard to its antitumor activity in other murine models.

Effects of nitroglycerin and nitroprusside on the pulmonary hemorrhagic edema induced by cerebral compression and epinephrine

In vagotomized and pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, massive pulmonary hemorrhagic edema was produced by cerebral compression (CC) or an injection of epinephrine (EP) 0.25 mg/kg. The pulmonary changes were induced following severe Cushing reaction manifested by systemic hypertension. We determined the dose-effect relationship of nitroglycerin (NTG) and nitroprusside (NPS) on the changes in systemic arterial pressure and lung pathology. The drugs were given by iv infusion 5 min before CC or EP and continued throughout the experiment. NTG, 5 micrograms/kg/min, did not affect the pressor response and the pulmonary damage. In a dose of 10 micrograms/kg/min, the CC- and EP-induced changes were partially blocked. A dose of 20 micrograms/kg/min almost completely prevented the CC- and EP-induced pulmonary changes despite partial blockade of the pressor response. NPS exerted more potent effects than NTG on such changes. A dose of 5 micrograms/kg/min was capable of decreasing the pressor response by about 20% and the lung changes by about 50%. In a dose of 10 micrograms/kg/min, the pulmonary changes were almost completely prevented. The results suggest that vasodilators such as nitroglycerin and nitroprusside can block the pressor response and pulmonary pathology subsequent to CC or EP. The effects may be attributed to the ventricular unloading action of these vasodilators that decrease the preload and afterload of the heart. In this respect, nitroprusside is more potent than nitroglycerin.

Acute toxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics as an aid in detecting botulism

Gentamicin sulfate or neomycin sulfate injected intraperitoneally into 24- to 27-g mice at a dose of 6.2 mg per mouse elicited botulism-like responses in less than 30 min, but a dose of 3.1 mg per mouse had no observable effect. The normally nontoxic 3.1-mg aminoglycoside dose aggravated the illness induced by an earlier injection of Clostridium botulinum type A or B toxin; it was usually lethal in 2 to 20 min if the preexisting illness was moderate to severe and worsened the condition of mice for about 30 min if the preexisting botulism was mild. The aminoglycoside had no effect when given shortly after the botulinum toxin was injected intraperitoneally; the sensitized state followed a latent period. It rapidly produced botulism-like effects when given to mice which had responded to a mixture of botulinum toxin and another mouse toxic agent with an illness that did not include signs of botulism. An unexpected illness devoid of botulism-like effects was encountered during intestinal colonization of mice by C. botulinum. The appearance of botulism-like signs soon after 3.1 mg of gentamicin sulfate was injected supported other suggestions that this illness included botulism that was masked by the effects of a second cause.

Intracerebral hematoma simulating a new growth

Three cases of organized intracerebral hematomas presented slowly progressive neurological deficits and hence mimicked brain tumors. Computed tomography scanning revealed ring enhancement of intracerebral mass lesions with midline shift. Angiographic studies showed avascular mass lesions. Soft, well-encapsulated, organized, large intracerebral hematomas with feeding arteries on their capsules were removed surgically. The lesions contained fresh and old hemorrhages. It is presumed that the feeding artery caused slowly continuous bleeding, thus causing these intracerebral hematomas to grow in a manner that made their clinical picture simulate that of intracerebral neoplasms. Their pathogenesis is discussed.

A study of 11C-benzoate as a radiopharmaceutical for renal imaging

11C-benzoic acid prepared in a radiochemical purity over 90% was studied radiopharmacologically in mice and rabbits. The uptake of 11C-benzoate in ICR mice increased quickly. The ratio of kidney uptake rate to that in other organs reached values between 9 and 55 with a maximum at 10 min after i.v. injection. Gamma camera imaging of rabbits showed that uptake in the kidneys began at 2 min after injection and that activity began to appear in the bladder 4 min later. Rabbits with left renal artery ligature showed no uptake in the left kidney but the right kidney was imaged to the same extent as that of a rabbit without artery ligature. The kidney imaging of 11C-benzoic acid may be a useful method for renal diagnosis.

Pharmacology of radioiodinated hexadecenoic acid--a myocardial imaging agent

123I- and 131I-labeled hexadecenoic acid (IHDA, radiochemical purity over 92%, dissolved in 6% bovine serum albumin solution) was investigated in vivo. ICR mice were administered IHDA via the tail vein. Maximum myocardial uptake (27.3 +/- 5.1%) was reached about 0.5 min after the injection. The ratio of uptake in the heart to that in the lungs was 2.3, to that in liver 1.5 and to that in other organs 2.4 to 6.4. The dog myocardium was visualized distinctly within 3-5 min with a gamma camera after i.v. 131I-IHDA, and not interfered with by activities in the lungs, liver and other organs. The low blood levels at 20 min had little effect on the quality of the heart images.

The role of the G1 period in the life cycle of eukaryotic cells

The objective of this study was to test the concept that the G1 period lacks any specific function in the life cycle of mammalian cells and hence could be drastically reduced without any effect on the generation time. HeLa cells were grown in medium containing an optimum dose (60 microM) of hydroxyurea at which the duration of S period was prolonged with little or no increase in generation time. At this concentration of hydroxyurea, we observed a maximum of 3 h (or 28.5%) reduction in the G1 period. We also studied the effects of synchronization in S phase by single and double thymidine blocks on cell size and its relationship to the duration of G1 in the subsequent cycle. By these treatments, we could reduce the G1 period by not more than 2 to 3 h. The reduction in G1 period was not directly proportional to the size (volume) of the G1 cells. These results suggest that G1 period has certain specific functions and cannot be eliminated by alterations in culture conditions.

Inactivation of mitotic factors by ultraviolet irradiation of HeLa cells in mitosis

Extracts from mitotic HeLa cells, when injected into fully grown Xenopus laevis oocytes, exhibit maturation-promoting activity (MPA) indicated by germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and chromosome condensation. Recently, we observed that the MPA of mitotic cell extracts is neutralized by the inhibitors of mitotic factors (IMF) in HeLa cells, which are activated at telophase and remain active throughout the G1 period. The activity of the IMF coincides with the process of chromosome decondensation, which begins at telophase and continues until the beginning of S phase, when chromatin reaches its most decondensed state. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether these two phenomena - chromosome decondensation and the activation of IMF - were related. The activity of IMF was measured in N2O-blocked mitotic HeLa cells, in which chromosome decondensation was induced by exposure to ultraviolet light, and subsequent incubation in medium containing inhibitors of DNA synthesis, hydroxyurea and arabinosylcytosine (araC). u.v. irradiation activated IMF was seen even at very high doses of X-irradiation. The IMF seemed to inactivate the mitotic factors directly by forming a complex that precipitated on heating at 60 degrees C for 15 min. Mg2+ or polyamines (i.e. spermine, spermidine, and putrescine), agents known to promote chromatin condensation partially restored the MPA of the u.v.-irradiated mitotic cell extracts. These results tend to support the conclusion that the IMF play a role in the decondensation of chromosomes.

Induction of reverse transformation and normal cell cycle regulation by dibutyryl cAMP in a chemically transformed cell line

The objective of this study was to determine whether N6, O2-dibutyryl 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (db-cAMP)-induced reverse transformation in a chemically transformed mouse cell line, AKR-MCA, would restore normal cell cycle regulation, particularly with regard to their growth arrest in the early G1 period. The AKR-MCA cells were grown to confluency in the presence or absence of db-cAMP (0.5 mM) plus theophylline (1 mM). The confluent cultures were trypsinized and a portion of the cells were fused with mitotic HeLa cells to induce premature chromosome condensation, while the remaining cells were used to study the kinetics of initiation of DNA synthesis. The prematurely condensed chromosomes (PCC) of the control and the treated cultures were classified into G1, S, or G2 types on the basis of their morphology. The G1 PCC were further subclassified into six groups (+1 - +6); +1 being the most condensed and +6 the most decondensed. The cyclic AMP (cAMP)-treated cells exhibited better attachment to the culture dish, were blocked in early G1 period at confluency, and entered S phase about 4 h later than the control following subculturing. In contrast, a majority of cells in the control cultures were arrested in S phase at confluency. These data indicate that the db-cAMP-induced reverse transformation in AKR-MCA cells at least partially restores normal cell cycle regulation in these chemically transformed cells.

Solution stability of cephradine neutralized with arginine or sodium bicarbonate

The solution stability of two formulations of cephradine--one using L-arginine and the other sodium carbonate as the neutralizer--was studied. Solutions of each formulation of 1% cephradine were prepared in the following diluents: 0.9% sodium chloride injection, lactated Ringer's injection, Ringer's injection, Normosol-R injection, 5% dextrose injection, and sterile water for injection; 5 and 25% solutions were made with sterile water for injection. All solutions were maintained at 25 degrees C, and at least five samples of each were assayed at various time intervals. Assay methods were HPLC, hydroxylamine colorimetric assay, microbiological agar diffusion, and iodometric analysis. By all assay methods, degradation rates of 1% solutions were lower for the arginine-neutralized product than for the one neutralized with sodium carbonate. This may be attributable to the lower pH values of solutions of the formulation with arginine, because one mechanism of degradation is pH-dependent. At concentrations of 5%, the difference in cephradine stability between the two formulations was minimal. At the 25% concentration, the formulations containing sodium carbonate were more stable. At these higher concentrations, the effect of pH is less important because degradation occurs by a combination of mechanisms. The 1% cephradine-arginine formulation was more stable than the same strength cephradine-sodium carbonate formulation in all the i.v. diluents studied. At 5 and 25% cephradine concentrations, the differences in stability between the two formulations were not substantial.

Primary osteogenic sarcoma of the skull: case report

A case of primary osteogenic sarcoma of the skull with metastases to the lungs, left diaphragm, 2nd lumbar and 1st sacral vertebral bodies, and both femoral heads was presented. A young man with a lump over his right parieto-occipital region since the age of 14 had noticed rapid growth of the mass after having experienced definite head trauma. The tumor was surgically removed and the bony defect was repaired with a stainless stell plate. The recurrence of the tumor mass was suppressed by 60Co irradiation, but a necrotic lesion developed over the right temporal scalp. Twenty-two months after the surgical removal of the tumor, the patient died of respiratory failure and septicemia.