Primary Lymphomas of the CNS

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Abstract
To the Editor.— The report on CSF findings in primary lymphoma of the CNS by Matsuda et al (Archives1981;38:397) is of interest because it emphasizes the importance of CSF cytologic and immunologic studies as a means of achieving a diagnosis of these rare CNS neoplasms (which often mimic malignant gliomas), without further aggressive diagnostic procedures. Unfortunately, the authors in their "review of pertinent literature" cited only the laboratory findings of four recent reports as well as their own cases, but did not give reference to a considerable number of reports in which CSF analysis demonstrated either the presence of mononuclear, blast, or other lymphoma cells,1-4elevated CSF protein levels,5-8or both.1-4,8,9While CSF cytologic findings were normal in one series of primary CNS lymphomas,10the accuracy of CSF cytologic study in this type of CNS neoplasms ranges from 4%8to 43.5%.11 Furthermore, no