Protein, Total, Cerebrospinal Fluid

Also known as: Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein

Clinical Use

Use

A nonspecific but reliable indication of CNS pathology such as meningitis, brain abscess, meningovascular syphilis, CVA, neoplastic diseases, multiple sclerosis, and other degenerative processes causing neurologic disease

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

This test offers a nonspecific measure of CNS pathology and cannot ascertain the exact type or cause of the pathology purely based on its results. Elevated protein levels in CSF can result from, but do not exclusively indicate, various conditions. Additionally, this test does not specify between different types of proteins that may be contributing to the total protein value. External factors such as sample contamination from a traumatic tap or improper handling may affect the test accuracy.

Test Details

Methodology

Automated Analyzer (Clinical Chemistry)

Biomarkers

Targets not provided.

LOINC Codes

Order Codes

2880-3 - Prot CSF-mCnc

Result Codes

2880-3 - Prot CSF-mCnc

Result Turnaround Time

1-2 days

Specimen

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Volume

1 mL

Minimum Volume

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

Container

Clean sterile tube

Collection Instructions

A CSF specimen is obtained by spinal tap and should be collected in sterile tubes and submitted to the laboratory as soon as possible. Ordinarily, three samples are collected in sterile tubes, labeled sequentially as N° 1 (chemistry and immunology studies), N° 2 (microbiological examination), and N° 3 (cell count and differential). Tubes must be labeled with the patient's full name, date, time of collection, and with the number indicating the sequence in which the tubes were obtained.