[Neurinomas of the cauda equina as a cause of lumbar sciatica]. / Neurinomas de cola de caballo como causa de lumbociática.

The clinical and radiological characteristics together with the therapeutic results in 12 cases of Cauda Equina neurinomas are analyzed. In a high percentage of cases, Cauda Equina neurinomas manifest initially as a simple lumbar sciatic syndrome, frequently not different from those caused by other more common pathologies such as lumbar discal hernia. This article discusses the possible diagnostic problems encountered with the most common currently used radiologic procedures in this type of lesions such as CT scan, myelography and NMR.

[Specific receptors for sex hormones in tumors of the central nervous system]. / Receptores especificos de hormonas sexuales en tumores del sistema nervioso central.

The hormone sensitivity of some tumors seems to be mediated by the presence of specific receptor proteins, and a correlation seems to exist between the amount of receptor molecules and the behavior of the tumor evolution. Epidemiological data suggest a relation between the steroid sexual hormones and the development of some tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). The authors determine the amount of receptors specific to 17-beta-estradiol and progesterone in several cases of meningioma, glioma, neurinoma and intracerebral metastases. 17-beta-estradiol receptors were always detected, although in very variable amount (3 to 74 fm/mg protein). Progesterone receptors were found in all the studied CNS in women, and only in a few male gliomas, in amounts varying between 3 and 17 fm/mg protein. The significance of hormone receptors in the CNS tumors need further studies to know if they can be applied to prognosis and suggest the assay of a complementary endocrine therapy of CNS tumors.