[Multiple gliomas: clinical studies and pathophysiological hypothesis]. / Les gliomes multiples: étude clinique et hypothèses physiopathologiques.

INTRODUCTION: Although a rare entity, multiple gliomas must be recognized and distinguished from other causes of multiple brain lesions. METHODS: Clinical and radiological features of 33 multiple gliomas were reviewed, including 20 synchronous cases and 13 metachronous cases. RESULTS: In 17 patients, radiological features were highly suggestive of spread from a primary site (multifocal gliomas). No apparent dissemination route was identified in the other cases which were presumed to be multicentric gliomas. For nine patients (27 percent), a second neoplasia or cancer was found in first degree relatives suggesting a genetic predisposition. Overall median survival was 79 weeks (64 weeks for glioblastomas). The age at onset was the main prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: Multiple gliomas represent a heterogeneous entity, probably corresponding to different mechanisms. In our group, survival was comparable to unique glioma.

Immunodetection of SV40 large T antigen in human central nervous system tumours.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: DNA sequences from Simian virus 40 (SV40) have been previously isolated from various human tumours of the central nervous system (CNS). This study aimed to investigate a series of tumours of the CNS for the expression of the SV40 large T antigen (Tag), which is an oncogenic protein of the virus. METHODS: A French series of 82 CNS tumours was investigated for Tag expression using a monoclonal antibody and immunohistochemistry. A Tag positive hepatocellular carcinoma cell line from transgenic mice and a kidney biopsy from a patient infected by SV40 were used as positive controls. RESULTS: None of the tumours (20 ependymomas, 20 glioblastomas, 12 oligodendrogliomas, three plexus choroid adenomas, two plexus choroid carcinomas, 15 meningiomas, and 10 medulloblastomas) contained SV40 Tag positive cells. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of SV40 Tag in 82 CNS tumours of various types is at variance with previous studies from different countries, and suggests that the virus may not be an important factor in CNS tumorigenesis, at least in French cases.

[Primary dural lymphoma: a report of two cases with review of the literature]. / Lymphome dural primitif: à propos de deux cas et revue de la littérature.

Primary lymphoma arising in dura is exceedingly rare. We report the clinicopathologic findings of two patients with primary B-cell lymphoma of dura. Both were female, 38 and 45 years old. Prior to biopsy they were felt to have meningioma on preoperative magnetic resonance imagery. Histologically, tumors were classified as MALT-type lymphoma. Literature describe only 14 reports of similar entity. Primary lymphomas arising in dura appear to have a more favourable clinical course compared to PCNSL and may require a less aggressive treatment.