Granulocytic sarcoma presenting as cauda equina syndrome.

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a tumour formed by myeloid precursors in an extramedullary site and is associated with myeloid leukaemias and other myeloproliferative disorders. We present a patient with symptoms of cauda equina compression where MRI of the spine showed extradural lesions at S1 and L3 levels. This patient had normal bone marrow and peripheral blood for a further 6 weeks from onset of symptoms.

Oxidized cellulose (Surgicel) granulomata mimicking tumour recurrence.

Oxidized cellulose (Surgicel) has been used as a haemostatic agent in neurosurgery for five decades. Complications have been few. Two cases are reported of granulomatous reaction to oxidised cellulose two months and twelve months after removal of intracranial meningiomas.

Allelism at the glutathione S-transferase GSTM3 locus: interactions with GSTM1 and GSTT1 as risk factors for astrocytoma.

We describe studies to assess the influence of polymorphism in the human glutathione S-transferase GSTM3 gene on susceptibility to high grade astrocytoma. Immunohistochemical studies using a GSTM3-specific antiserum identified expression of the GSTM3 subunit in astrocytes. The relative levels of expression of GSTM1 and GSTM3 in brain cytosols were determined after resolution of these enzymes using chromatofocusing.

Susceptibility to astrocytoma and meningioma: influence of allelism at glutathione S-transferase (GSTT1 and GSTM1) and cytochrome P-450 (CYP2D6) loci.

We describe a case-control study to identify associations between polymorphism at the cytochrome P-450 (CYP2D6) and glutathione S-transferase (GSTT1 and GSTM1) loci and susceptibility to astrocytoma and meningioma. Accordingly, genotype frequencies in 112 astrocytoma and 50 meningioma patients were compared with frequencies in 577 controls. GSTM1 genotype frequencies in these groups were not different.