Monocytes and basophilic granulocytes in the cranial circulation of patients with organic brain disorders

Abstract

In 30 patients with organic brain disorders, blood samples from both ear lobes were examined for their white cell contents. In nine of them, blood from the external and internal jugular veins also was examined. The total white cell, neutrophil, and cosinophil counts did not show any difference when the two sides of the head were compared; nor was there any difference in the average-of-sides values of these cells in cranial blood samples when compared with blood from a finger puncture, or when compared with ear lobe blood from ten healthy control subjects. Basophil values were lower in blood from the internal jugular veins than in blood from the external jugular veins, and basophils in ear lobe blood were at an intermediate level. In patients with one-sided cerebral lesions, fewer basophils were found on the focal side even when the lesions were remote in time. Monocyte levels were higher on the focal side during the first two months after a cerebrovascular attack. Patients with bilateral brain lesions had fewer basophils in ear lobe samples than normal controls but showed no side-related difference. A single intravenous injection of 5,000 units of heparin caused an existing bias in basophil and monocyte values between focal and opposite side to disappear and produced an increase in the cranial level of these cells. The side-related differences did not reappear for an average of three weeks. The findings with regard to the role of monocytes as precursors of cerebral macrophages and of basophils as carriers of heparin are discussed, and the examination of ear lobe blood is proposed as a noninvasive and simple method for hematological studies of cerebral disorders. © 1972 American Heart Association, Inc.