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Multiple sclerosis: Diagnostic usefulness of cerebrospinal fluid
Author(s) -
Johnson Kenneth P.,
Nelson Barbara J.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410020515
Subject(s) - cerebrospinal fluid , multiple sclerosis , medicine , pathology , csf albumin , immunoglobulin g , antibody , immunology
Abstract Early, atypical, or progressive cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) may be hard to diagnose. Until recently, assays of the most common abnormalities in cerebrospinal fluid were not available in clinical diagnostic laboratories, but now they can be done with relative ease and adequate standardization. With the newer techniques the CSF is abnormal in more than 90% of clinically definite cases of MS, and determination of such changes can be a major aid in diagnosis. The most common CSF abnormalities are discussed: elevation of immunoglobulin G (IgG), expressed as percentage of total protein; elevation of the IgG/albumin index; and presence of oligoclonal IgG bands. Not only does assessment of these CSF proteins provide an improved aid to diagnosis, but their study may furnish important clues to the cause and pathogenesis of MS as well.