[Differential immunohistochemical characteristics of meningiomas and other neoplasms of the central nervous system].

We present an immunohistochemical study of 16 meningiomas and 19 CNS tumors including gliomas, neurinomas and metastatic carcinomas, in order to establish a histopathologic differential diagnosis, using formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded material. The antibodies analysed included vimentin, GFA-protein, cytokeratin, S-100 protein and epithelial membrane antigen. Meningiomas always express vimentin as marker, and occasionally cytokeratin and EMA. The most constant antigens demonstrated in astrocytomas were GFA-protein and vimentin, and occasionally we were able to detect S-100 protein. Neurinomas proved positive to S-100 protein, and metastases presented cytokeratin and EMA reactivity. Our results confirm the existence of diverse immunohistochemical patterns within CNS tumors, a fact that can be useful in routine differential diagnosis.