[A study of the optimum dose of a glucocorticoid, methylprednisolone sodium succinate, before and after neurosurgical major operations--relationship between beta-glucuronidase level and post operative brain edema].

The effects of pre- and postoperative administration of methylprednisolone (5, 10, 15 mg/kg/day) was studied on 50 cases of major neurosurgical operation. The serum level of beta-glucuronidase was also analyzed in 20 cases so as to determine whether it could be useful as an indicator of post operative brain edema. Methylprednisolone seemed to be effective in the cases administrated in the dosage of 10, 15 mg/kg/day. However, several kinds of postoperative infections were seen in the cases administrated 15 mg/kg/day. The results may suggest that the dosage tested, 10 mg/kg/day, causes little side effects while it is clinically effective. The serum level of beta-glucuronidase tended to increase from the second postoperative day to the seventh day. Those increase were remarkably in the cases with brain edema. Recovery of beta-glucuronidase level was earlier in the cases with 10 mg/kg/day administrated rather than in the cases with 5 mg/kg/day administrated. These results suggest that the measurement of serum beta-glucuronidase level may be useful for evaluating the degree of brain edema.