title: Usefulness of beta 2-transferrin assay in the detection of cerebrospinal fluid leaks following head injury.
abstract: The clinical value of analyzing various fluids and exudates for beta 2-transferrin (beta 2-Tfn) to detect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage following head trauma was reviewed in a series of 11 cases. Qualitative detection of beta 2-Tfn was performed by agarose gel electrophoresis of tears, ear and nose exudates, cerebral cyst fluid, and wound discharge fluid in different cases. In each instance the presence of beta 2-Tfn in the analyzed fluid supported the diagnosis of a CSF leak. Equally, the demonstration of the absence of beta 2-Tfn in the fluid excluded the diagnosis of such a leak. Neither false-positive nor false-negative results were found, as indicated by separate radiological investigations and/or subsequent clinical assessment of patients. The detection of beta 2-Tfn in suspect fluids thus provides a highly sensitive and selective, rapid, and noninvasive test for the detection of CSF leakage in cases of head trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, Adelaide Children's Hospital, South Australia.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Ryall
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002558:Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000150:complications*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
chemical_list: D014168:Transferrin