No abstract

A reference material of total cerebrospinal fluid protein (CSF protein) from 53 men and 45 women is presented. Lowry's Folin-phenol method for determining CSF protein has been used unchanged in this laboratory since 1964, with normal values ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 g/l. In this new reference material higher values were found with the 0.05--0.95 fractile interval for normal CSF protein determined to 0.29--0.88 g/l. This implies that the value of determining CSF protein in diagnosis of acoustic neuromas is most questionable. Among the medium sized tumours there were statistically significant increased values, but no clinical significance. The large tumours showed both statistically as well as clinically significant increased protein, but these tumours can be easily diagnosed by other means. A more detailed determination of CSF protein is discussed.

Two cases of gas-forming Fournier's gangrene were recently treated in a urology department. The etiology, pathology, bacteriology and treatment of Fournier's gangrene are discussed. An aggressive attitude with respect to both surgery and antibiotic therapy is recommended as possible means of reducing the high mortality associated with the condition.

ESHO members were surveyed by questionnaires regarding their activities in clinical and experimental hyperthermic oncology. There were 67 replies from a total of 12 countries and 53 cancer centres. Half of all respondents were involved both in experimental and clinical hyperthermia and more than 70% longer than five years. Most centres treated less than three patients per month and included only few patients in phase III and multicentre studies. More than 80% of the respondents expected clinical hyperthermia to be a part of routine oncology in the future and most to be given with a curative intent. Only few respondents spent more than 25% of their working time in hyperthermia and only very few departments used more than 5% of their total activities in hyperthermia. Financial granting seemed stable and most were optimistic for the forthcoming financial support. Experimentally more than 80% expected still to be involved in hyperthermic research in three years. The survey indicated that too many centres spent too little time in clinical hyperthermia and that more patients need to be included in phase III and multicentre studies.