D-DIMER LEVELS IN THE CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID - A MARKER OF CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT IN NEOPLASTIC DISEASE

D-dimer assay was performed on 145 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples f rom patients with or without neoplastic diseases. Levels of D-dimers w ere significantly higher in carcinoma and lymphoid malignancies with c linical or biological evidence of central nervous system (CNS) involve ment than in diseases without such complications. In one patient, seri al determinations of D-dimers were well correlated with the appearance and disappearance of CNS involvement. Although this test is not speci fic for neoplastic affections, our data suggest that the measurement o f D-dimers in CSF may be useful in the diagnosis of CNS involvement of neoplastic cells and in monitoring intrathecal therapy in patients wi th lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or carcinoma. In this study , the D-dimer assay was also positive in some non neoplastic diseases, but failed to differentiate subarachnoid haemorrhage from traumatic l umbar puncture.