title: Clinical experience with beta-trace protein as a marker for cerebrospinal fluid.
abstract: beta-Trace protein is an immunological marker for the detection of cerebrospinal fluid traces. The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of the beta-trace protein test. We investigated 145 specimens for cerebrospinal fluid using beta-trace protein. All case notes were retrospectively reviewed and tabulated for indication and procedure with focus on outcome. The specimens were analyzed by immunoelectrophoresis. beta-Trace protein was detected in 62 specimens and was absent in 83. In correlation with the clinical course, the clinical findings, the results of high-resolution computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses or petrous bone, computed tomographic cisternography, magnetic resonance imaging, indium 111-pentetic acid radionuclide cisternography, intraoperative findings, and visualization using sodium-fluorescein, there were no false-positive results. In 6 cases, a false-negative result occurred. The overall accuracy was 95.68%. The beta-trace test has a specificity of near 100% and a sensitivity of 91.17%. Analysis of beta-trace protein is a valuable test and has some advantages in comparison with the beta2-transferrin assay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bachmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nekic
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Michel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D002558:Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D019793:Fluorescein; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D054834:Lipocalins; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D054834:Lipocalins; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C022466:prostaglandin R2 D-isomerase; D019793:Fluorescein