Human acoustic neurinomas: nervous system specific biochemical parameters.

A series of 24 human acoustic neurinomas from 24 patients has been assayed for several biochemical parameters characteristic of the nervous system. S 100 protein, 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase activity, and the myelin lipids galactosylceramide and sulfogalactosylceramide (sulfatide). Myelin basic protein was not detected. These finding further support the neuroectodermal origin of the human acoustic neurinoma, and provide additional biochemical markers for further study.