Test Details
Methodology
Immunologic
Result Turnaround Time
3 - 5 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.
Test Includes
Quantitation of CSF IgG
Use
Evaluate central nervous system involvement by infection, neoplasm, or primary neurologic disease (in particular, multiple sclerosis)
Special Instructions
The third tube of a routinely obtained three-tube set of CSF should be used for CSF IgG study.
Limitations
Normal levels do not exclude disease; clinical correlation must be applied.
Custom Additional Information
Cerebrospinal fluid protein is elevated in many conditions which affect the central nervous system primarily or secondarily. In inflammatory or destructive processes in which serum leaks into CSF, both IgG and albumin will be present in the CSF in increased amounts. Since albumin is not, but immunoglobulins are, synthesized in the central nervous system, a relative increase in CSF IgG indicates presence of a process involving the central nervous system primarily, in particular multiple sclerosis.
IgG showed marked elevation (>16 mg/dL) in 36% of MS patients with only 1% of non-MS controls having this degree of increase. In the slightly elevated category (11% to 16%) however, there was considerable overlap with 38% of MS patients and 27% of non-MS patients falling into this category. While MS patients are maintained on ACTH and/or steroid therapy or during remission, CSF IgG levels decrease but generally remain significantly elevated.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Container
Sterile container
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x2 |
Reference Range
See table.
Age | Male (mg/dL) | Female (mg/dL) |
|---|---|---|
0 to 1 y | Not established | Not established |
2 to 12 y | 0.0−4.3 | 0.0−4.3 |
13 to 17 y | 0.0−5.2 | 0.0−5.2 |
>17 y | 0.0−10.3 | 0.0−6.7 |
Storage Instructions
Room temperature
Causes for Rejection
Excessive blood in CSF
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 012211 | Immunoglobulin G, Quant, CSF | 2464-6 | 012212 | IgG, Quant, CSF | mg/dL | 2464-6 |
| Order Code | 012211 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Immunoglobulin G, Quant, CSF | |||||
| Order Loinc | 2464-6 | |||||
| Result Code | 012212 | |||||
| Result Code Name | IgG, Quant, CSF | |||||
| UofM | mg/dL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2464-6 |