Protein Electrophoresis, Cerebrospinal Fluid
| Protein Electrophoresis, Cerebrospinal Fluid | | | |
| Number | | 002246 |
| CPT | | 84157; 84166 |
| Related Information | | Protein Electrophoresis With Interpretation, Cerebrospinal Fluid |
| Synonyms | | CSF Electrophoresis ; Electrophoresis, CSF ; Globulins, CSF ; Spinal Fluid Electrophoresis |
| Test Includes | | Total protein CSF; determination of proteins seen in the electrophoresis; densitometric scan |
| Specimen | | Cerebrospinal fluid |
| Volume | | 1 mL |
| Minimum Volume | | 0.5 mL |
| Container | | Sterile tube |
| Collection | | The third tube of a routinely obtained 3-tube set of CSF should be used for protein electrophoretic study. |
| Storage Instructions | | Refrigerate at 2°C to 8°C. |
Causes for Rejection | | Gross hemolysis |
| Reference Interval | | - Prealbumin: 2.2% to 7.1%
- Albumin: 56.8% to 76.4%
- Alpha1 globulin: 1.1% to 6.6%
- Alpha2 globulin: 3.0% to 12.6%
- Beta globulin: 7.3% to 17.9%
- Gamma globulin: 3.0% to 13.0%
- Total protein: 13-40 mg/dL
See table. CSF Protein Electrophoresis Interpretation Chart
| Pattern Description | Electrophoretic Zones | Prealbumin
(g/dL) | Albumin
(g/dL) | Alpha-1
(g/dL) | Alpha-2
(g/dL) | Beta
(g/dL) | Gamma
(g/dL) | | Normal | N | N | N | N | N | N | | Increased prealbumin | +++ | N | N | N | N | N | | Increased permeability | ++ | ++ | ++ | ++ | ++ | ++ | | Polyclonal gammopathy | + | | N+ | + | N | ++ | | Monoclonal gammopathy | N+ | N | N | N+ | (M-spike) | (M-spike) | | Nonspecific alpha-beta increases | N | N | (+) | (+) | (+) | N | | N = usually normal. | | (+) = usually elevated. | | N+ = normal to elevated. | | + = mildly elevated. | | ++ = moderately elevated. | | +++ = markedly elevated. |
|
| Use | | Quantitate CSF protein fractions; aid in the diagnosis of inflammatory and demyelinating disease of CNS, although routine CSF protein electrophoresis is highly insensitive and nonspecific for the presence of multiple sclerosis (MS). Routine CSF protein electrophoresis has no role in screening for demyelinating diseases (eg, MS). For this, high-resolution electrophoresis is required. For tests with greater sensitivity/specificity for MS, see Oligoclonal Banding [019216] . |
| Methodology | | Electrophoresis on agarose media |
| Additional Information | | Severe craniocerebral trauma is characterized by a three- to fourfold increase in α2 globulins over the 1st week post-trauma. |
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