[Report of experience with stomach-protective therapy in high-dosage corticosteroid treatment of patients with brain tumors].

Inspite of the controversial opinions on the ulcerogenicity of corticosteroids, an accompanying ulcus preventive therapy in all patients receiving high-dosage dexamethasone is carried out at the Neurological University Clinic, Vienna. A total of 120 patients suffering from brain tumors was included in this study. In consecutive order of their admission to the clinic, patients received sucralfate (4 g/day), ranitidinhydrochloride (336 mg/day), or raniditinhydrochloride and pirenzepindihydrochloride (100 mg/day), respectively. However, patient groups were comparable with regard to age- and sex-distribution, duration of therapy, perioperative circumstances and average cortisone dosage. Clinical investigations were carried out according to the standard manner. Laboratory controls were done at the entry of the patient, perioperative and within a postoperative period of 5 to 7 days. In all three patient groups clinical findings and subjective complaints were not different. Typical gastrointestinal symptoms in conjunction with a positive hemoccult-test was found in one patient. Medication-caused side effects and incompatibilities never were observed. A sufficient gastric protection was achieved regardless of the different mechanisms of actions of the various drugs administered. Metabolism-, fluid- and electrolyte disturbances are--apart from the neurological and neurosurgical complications--the main problems in these patients.