CSF/serum beta-hCG ratio in patients with brain metastases of gestational trophoblastic tumor.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum ratio of beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) in detecting brain metastasis of gestational trophoblastic tumor (GTT).


METHODS
The subjects were ten patients with GTT and brain metastases. Spinal puncture and veni-puncture were performed for measurement of beta-hCG titer in CSF and serum to determine the CSF/serum ratio before starting multiagent chemotherapy and/or brain irradiation.


RESULTS
Five patients manifested a CSF/serum beta-hCG ratio > 1/60, and five manifested a ratio < 1/60.


CONCLUSIONS
The CSF/serum beta-hCG ratio is not accurate enough to be routinely considered in the workup, management, and/or surveillance of GTT with brain metastases. Hence, it is perhaps not necessary to perform spinal puncture if the only purpose is to determine the CSF/serum ratio.
Bakri
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
al-Hawashim
N
N
Berkowitz
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013129:Spinal Puncture; D014328:Trophoblastic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human