How do I interpret my spinal fluid test?

[Karbear430]

I just had my 4th decompression surgery on April 28th for Chiari malformation. Upon going through my MRI's my neurosurgeon discovered spots on my brain and suggested M.S. when I had the surgery she sent out my csf fluid to see if I have m.s.
The results are-
Myelin basic protein >1050 with a normal range of 0.0-5.0
Csf albumin 2,490 with ref range of 3500-5200
Csf IgG  407 with ref range of  700-1600
Oligocolonal bands are negative.
Everything else was normal from what I can read on my report.
I have no idea how to figure this out. If anyone could help if greatly appreciate it.

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

May I ask why you required a 4th surgery? What was done during the previous three and what different did they do this last time? Were ALL related conditions ruled out and lastly was your Dr a true Chiari specialist?

[supermum_ms]

Hi Karbear and welcome,

I'm JJ one of the community leaders of the MS community and only popping into the Chiari malformation community to see if i can help you with your MS related questions.....

Your diagnostic evidence and neurologically related medical history is going to be a tad more complicated due to your preexisting dx of Chiari......a spinal tap by itself can't confirm or rule out a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis because an LP is not an MS exclusive diagnostic test, actually no test is.

To be totally honest it's very very difficult for lay people to accurately work out LP results, there are so many quantifiers to take into account that reading LP results beyond the basic O'bands are just likely to be misinterpreted, and i personally try to avoid adding to the confusion were ever i can.

In regards to your LP results though, 2+ Oligocolonal bands would typically of been the additionally suggestive / consistent diagnostic evidence necessary to point towards a neurological condition like MS. To a lesser extent, elevated CSF protein also has an association with MS but it's also elevated with infections, intracranial hemorrhages, Guillain Barré syndrome, malignancies, some medication, various inflammatory conditions etc etc.

Basically, what i'm trying to explain though not very eloquently is, your LP results can only really provide additional information, so even with the absence of 2+ O'bands, and or elevated CSF protein, it wouldn't diagnostically exclude MS 'IF' your brain and or spinal MRI's, clinical neurological evidence, symptom type and historical symptom pattern IS suggestive / consistent with a neurological condition like MS!    

You said "Upon going through my MRI's my neurosurgeon discovered spots on my brain and suggested M.S." do you actually have your MRI reports to try to get a better understanding on why the 'spots' would potentially be suggestive / consistent with MS?

I hope that helps, a little.........JJ