[The meningoencephalitis syndrome in brain tumor]

In an evaluation of the medical records of 765 patients with brain tumours treated since 1951 in our clinic we selected those cases where there was a pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid of more than 15/3 cells. We were interested to know whether a connection which would help diagnosis could be made between the occurrence and the degree of pleocytosis, the biological valence and the localisation of the tumour. In 181 cases (24%) there were more than 15/3 cells. Therefore, no conclusions about biological valence and tumour localisation could be drawn from the aspect of the cell picture which we observed and from the degree of pleocytosis. Basically, the occurrence of pleocytoses was more frequent in the case of malignant tumours and those tumours associated with the fluid canal system (plexus papillomata, ependymomata, craniopharyngeomata). Problems of unspecific meningeal irritative syndromes are being discussed in connection with brain tumours. These are being clarified on the basis of selected cases.