Serum and aqueous lactate dehydrogenase ratio in the diagnosis of retinoblastoma

ABSTRACT

Leakage of lactate dehydrogenase hormone from malignant tumors cells has been described. To measure the serum and aqueous lactate dehydrogenase ratio as diagnostic indicator for retinoblastoma. Prospective analytical study, carried out at Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar between 1[st] July 1999 and 31[st] December, 2003. Hundred newly diagnosed patients with retinoblastoma were registered for treatment. The aqueous lactate dehydrogenase was determined in fourteen randomly selected retinoblastoma patients, classified as advanced stage VB group [Rees-Ellsworth classification]. Samples from aqueous of these patients were analyzed for lactate dehydrogenase level using automatic scanner [Selectra XL, vital scientific Netherlands]. The Aquous lactate dehydrogenase was determined in 14 patients, who had a mean age of 36 months [range 2 months - 7.5 years]. There was equal number of unilateral and bilateral cases. Mean serum lactate dehydrogenase level was 730 i.u/litre and aqueous lactate dehydrogenase was 27,042 i.u/litre. Serum aqueous lactate dehydrogenase ratio was 271 against normal ratio of 1 to 1. Aqueous lactate dehydrogenase levels were proved to be sensitive biochemical test for supporting the diagnosis of retinoblastoma