Aluminum concentrations in serum of patients with intracranial tumors.

The concentration of serum aluminum was measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry in 71 patients with intracranial tumors. The data were compared with those from a reference group of 15 healthy adult individuals. The serum concentrations of aluminum were significantly increased (p < 0.01) in patients with malignant gliomas and meningiomas. The concentrations of serum calcium, known as an antagonist of aluminum, were normal in the same patients.