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Protein Electrophoresis, Cerebrospinal Fluid

Test Number 002246
Test number copied
CPT 84157; 84166
Synonyms
  • CSF Electrophoresis
  • Electrophoresis, CSF
  • Globulins, CSF
  • Spinal Fluid Electrophoresis

Test Details

Methodology

Electrophoresis on agarose media

Result Turnaround Time

4 - 7 days

Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.

Related Information

Related Documents

For more information, please view the literature below.

Published Plasma Cell Dyscrasias Selection Table

Test Includes

Total protein CSF; determination of proteins seen in the electrophoresis; densitometric scan

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].

Custom Additional Information

Severe craniocerebral trauma is characterized by a three- to fourfold increase in α2 globulins during the first week post trauma.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Volume

2 mL

Minimum Volume

1.2 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)

Container

Sterile tube

Collection Instructions

The third tube of a routinely obtained three-tube set of CSF should be used for protein electrophoretic study.

Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Refrigerated

3 days (stability provided by manufacturer or literature reference)

Frozen

1 month (stability provided by manufacturer or literature reference)

Reference Range

See tables.

CSF Protein Electrophoresis

Test

Age

Male

Female

Prealbumin (%)

0 to 1 y

1.1–5.7

1.1–5.7

2 to 17 y

2.2–7.8

2.2–7.8

18 to 30 y

1.4–6.3

2.2–7.7

31 to 50 y

1.2–5.5

1.9–7.1

51 to 60 y

1.2–5.5

1.4–6.2

>60 y

1.0–5.0

1.4–6.2

Albumin (%)

All ages

47.8–69.1

47.8–69.1

α1-globulin (%)

0 to 5 y

2.1–5.6

2.1–5.6

6 to 60 y

2.2–6.2

2.2–6.2

>60 y

2.6–7.0

2.6–7.0

α2-globulin (%)

0–50 y

2.7–8.2

2.7–8.2

>50 y

3.1–8.7

3.1–8.7

β-globulin (%)

All ages

11.8–21.7

11.8–21.7

γ-globulin (%)

0 to 17 y

2.8–7.8

2.8–7.8

18 to 40 y

2.4–7.8

2.8–8.5

41 to 60 y

2.8–8.5

2.8–8.5

>60 y

2.8–8.5

3.1–9.1

Total protein (mg/dL)

1 d to 1 m

25–72

25–72

2 to 3 m

20–72

20–72

4 to 6 m

15–50

15–50

7 to 11 m

10–45

10–45

1 to 2 y

10–40

10–40

3 to 4 y

10–38

10–38

5 to 8 y

10–43

10–43

>8 y

0–44

0–44

CSF Protein Electrophoresis Interpretation

Pattern Description

Electrophoretic Zones

Prealbumin

(g/dL)

Albumin

(g/dL)

α1

(g/dL)

α2

(g/dL)

β

(g/dL)

γ

(g/dL)

N = usually normal.

(+) = usually elevated.

N+ = normal to elevated.

+ = mildly elevated.

++ = moderately elevated.

+++ = markedly elevated.

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 α-β increases

N

N

(+)

(+)

(+)

N

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate at 2°C to 8°C.

Causes for Rejection

Gross hemolysis

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
002246 Protein Electrophoresis, CSF 24352-7 002055 Protein, Total, CSF mg/dL 2880-3
002246 Protein Electrophoresis, CSF 24352-7 122200 Pre-Albumin, CSF % 13973-3
002246 Protein Electrophoresis, CSF 24352-7 122218 Albumin, CSF % 13974-1
002246 Protein Electrophoresis, CSF 24352-7 122226 Alpha-1-Globulin, CSF % 13972-5
002246 Protein Electrophoresis, CSF 24352-7 122234 Alpha-2-Globulin, CSF % 13975-8
002246 Protein Electrophoresis, CSF 24352-7 122242 Beta Globulin, CSF % 13976-6
002246 Protein Electrophoresis, CSF 24352-7 122259 Gamma Globulin, CSF % 13977-4
002246 Protein Electrophoresis, CSF 24352-7 122367 M-Spike % 12782-9
002246 Protein Electrophoresis, CSF 24352-7 122370 PDF 11502-2
Order Code002246
Order Code NameProtein Electrophoresis, CSF
Order Loinc24352-7
Result Code002055
Result Code NameProtein, Total, CSF
UofMmg/dL
Result LOINC2880-3
Order Code002246
Order Code NameProtein Electrophoresis, CSF
Order Loinc24352-7
Result Code122200
Result Code NamePre-Albumin, CSF
UofM%
Result LOINC13973-3
Order Code002246
Order Code NameProtein Electrophoresis, CSF
Order Loinc24352-7
Result Code122218
Result Code NameAlbumin, CSF
UofM%
Result LOINC13974-1
Order Code002246
Order Code NameProtein Electrophoresis, CSF
Order Loinc24352-7
Result Code122226
Result Code NameAlpha-1-Globulin, CSF
UofM%
Result LOINC13972-5
Order Code002246
Order Code NameProtein Electrophoresis, CSF
Order Loinc24352-7
Result Code122234
Result Code NameAlpha-2-Globulin, CSF
UofM%
Result LOINC13975-8
Order Code002246
Order Code NameProtein Electrophoresis, CSF
Order Loinc24352-7
Result Code122242
Result Code NameBeta Globulin, CSF
UofM%
Result LOINC13976-6
Order Code002246
Order Code NameProtein Electrophoresis, CSF
Order Loinc24352-7
Result Code122259
Result Code NameGamma Globulin, CSF
UofM%
Result LOINC13977-4
Order Code002246
Order Code NameProtein Electrophoresis, CSF
Order Loinc24352-7
Result Code122367
Result Code NameM-Spike
UofM%
Result LOINC12782-9
Order Code002246
Order Code NameProtein Electrophoresis, CSF
Order Loinc24352-7
Result Code122370
Result Code NamePDF
UofM
Result LOINC11502-2