Diffuse intravascular clotting associated with a primary brain tumour

A case of diffuse intravascular clotting associated with a primary brain tumour (oligodendroglioma) is described. The mechanisms of clotting and subsequent fibrinolytic syndromes are discussed with reference to the literature. On the basis of clinical, laboratory, and postmortem findings the possibility of the induction of diffuse intravascular clotting by primary brain tumours is stressed.