Clinical diagnosis of intracranial malignant lymphoma (author's transl)

Abstract

A clinical survey of intracranial malignant lymphoma was conducted based on 10 cases experienced in our department during the past 15-year period. The following diagnostic clues considered characteristic to malignant lymphoma are presented : 1) The peak of incidence was patients in their thirties to fifties. Neurological deficits and increased intracranial pressure developed within one to 3 months. 2) Cerebrospinal fluid showed increased protein content of 100-250 mg/dl without pleocytosis and occasionally increased Ig-M, Ig-A and Ig-G appeared in immunoelectrophoresis. 3) Association of paraproteinemia was frequently found, which may indicate the generalization of this tumor. 4) Angiography showed mostly avascular masses and occasionally tumor stain. Cerebral deep medullary veins were shown in the capillary phase. 5) Radioisotope brain scan revealed hot spots in all cases. 6) Computed tomography was the most reliable method for definite diagnosis showing iso-density or slightly high density, nodular lesion in plain scan and homogenous enhancement by contrast medium. 7) The frequent sites of this tumor were subcortical white matter of the cerebrum, basal ganglia, corpus callusum, and cerebellum.