[The smear method for histological diagnosis of the tumors of the central nervous system (author's transl)].

The smear method for rapid diagnosis of tumors of the central nervous system at operation is not popular in this country, although this has been widely used in North America and Europe since 1930s. During the period from 1958 to 1976 we experienced 1447 histologically verified tumors of the central nervous system. This smear preparation stained by eosin and methylene blue was made for rapid diagnosis in 718 cases of them. We reviewed these cases and described microscopical findings of various kinds of tumors. In over 90% of cases the correct diagnosis will be obtained from the smears. It can be said that the smear method is appropriate for intraoperative rapid diagnosis of neurosurgical cases.