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This report deals with a scapuloperoneal syndrome which developed simultanously with pain and distal paresthesias. In addition there was a slight sensory disturbance of glove and stocking type distribution. Motor conduction velocity was within normal limits and all distal latencies of response were normal; only the sensory conduction velocity of the left median nerve was found to be decreased (42.1 m/s). Electromyographic investigations revealed only signs of myopathy. Histological findings (m. deltoideus, m. tibialis anterior) favoured a primary myopathic process. Biopsy of the n. suralis revealed no certain pathological changes. The affection appears to have an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. The sensory disturbance and decreased reflexes indicate an involvement of the nervous system, but the question of relationship to the scapuloperoneal muscular atrophy cannot yet be answered.

"Olfactory neuroblastoma" covers several types of esthesioneurogenic tumors such as esthesioneuroepithelioma, esthesioneuroblastoma and others. They are thought to be of olfactory mucosal origin and present with typical light microscopical "neurogenic features" e.g. rosettes and/or axon production. Some cases have been analyzed ultrastructurally and contained membrane bound granula like others tumors of the APUD system, originating from the neural crest. Furthermore neuronal differentiation of various degrees has been described. The human case of this contribution did not contain rosettes, but axons could be demonstrated in considerable number by silver impregnation. Electron microscopy could demonstrate the presence of dendritic processes with microtubuli and filaments as well as abundance of secretory granules of 1800 A. The comparison with the up to now published findings shows that the production of dense core granules is the most constant ultrastructural feature in these tumors; however, additional ultrastructural features in typical human cases as here presented, earlier experimental results and few human descriptions show, that DCV production is not essential for olfactory neuroblastoma. This might shed new light on the histogenesis of these tumors.

A case of Alexander's disease in a 39-year-old man is reported. The clinical course was characterized by headaches and cerebellar gait for 6 months. A state of acute unconsciousness followed, lasting 2 days. Subsequently, dysfunction of the lower cranial nerves on the left-side, left-sided motor incoordination, and a right-sided spastic hemiplegia were found. The patient died 49 days after an acute incident of lung embolism. Neuropathologically generalized and focally pronounced Rosenthal fibers in subpial, subependymal, and perivascular regions were found. They were especially predominant in the brain stem and cerebellum. Atypical fibrillary glia, moderate patchy demyelination, and circumscribed cystic necrosis in the brain stem were also observed.