[Beta 2-microglobulin and tumors of the central nervous system]

In 60 patients with tumours of the central nervous system (50 intracranial, 10 intraspinal) the beta 2-microglobulin in serum and cerebrospinal fluid was examined. The frequency of pathological finding was in both examined fluids considerable and differed with regard to the type and site of the tumours; it was particularly high in intracranial gliomas (in serum 87.1%, in cerebrospinal fluid 74.2%). For comparison a group of 55 patients with multiple sclerosis was examined where the incidence of elevated beta 2-microglobulin was markedly lower (in serum 29.1%, in cerebrospinal fluid 20%). Normal values in serum and cerebrospinal fluid were obtained in 50 subjects without organic lesions of the nervous system.