[Diagnostic and prognostic significance of some laboratory indices of cerebrospinal fluid in multiple myeloma].

beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) and certain other characteristics of liquor have been followed in the course of multiple myeloma (MM) versus severity of the disease and its response to chemotherapy, to establish the diagnostic and prognostic value of these indices. Lymphocytes and plasma cells were found in most of 17 patients under study, who were resistant to chemotherapy and relapsed; they revealed regular rise in liquor pressure and cytosis. Similarly, raised concentrations of beta 2-m were registered. However, there was no correlation between blood serum-beta 2-m levels and that in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) nor between CSF-beta 2-m concentration, on the one hand, and such parameters as CSF-total protein, blood serum-beta 2-m and pathologic cytosis, on the other. In advanced MM, CSF-beta 2-m levels were, as a rule, abnormally higher. Our data suggest that, in addition to assaying CSF-total protein, severity of cytosis and liquor pressure as well as morphological identification of detected cells, beta 2-m levels be followed in the course of the disease in MM patients, to make therapeutic correction possible. Moreover, CSF-beta 2-m level dynamics can be used as another factor of prognosis.