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A member asked:
I just had a spinal tap for ms. i also had blood drawn at the same time. what are the looking when comparing the spinal tap and blood?
4 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
MS: The CSF (spinal tap) will show elevated levels of immunoglobulins (oligoclonal bands and igg). The blood test will be to not only check for other diseases and disorders that can mimic ms (infectious, rheumatological, etc) but also to check igg and Albumin index in the blood. Measuring the igg index in the CSF vs blood as well as CSF oligoclonal bands are used to help determine if a person has ms.
Answered 6/24/2014
5.1k views
Multiple sclerosis : Thau are looking for oligoclonal bands: imunoglobulins and fragments releases by inflammatory cells. If these are found in the spinal fluid and not found in the blood or serum it suggests the presence of an inflmmatory process just limited to the nervous system. This can be seen only in few condition of which multiple sclerosis is the most common.
Answered 12/10/2013
5.1k views
Oligoclonal bands: The number of bands present within the spinal fluid is compared to those in the blood, and a substantial difference may be confirmatory of MS
Answered 8/31/2014
3.8k views
Related Questions
A member asked:
Do I need a spinal tap to confirm MS or can I be diagnosed via demyelination and lesions on my mri plus physical symptoms?
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
A member asked:
4 years ago tested neg for ms with mri and spinal tap. Have a lot of ms symptoms. Whats the chances if it being pos now after 4 yrs?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
Having symptoms that is possibly ms, but MRI looked fine. Was told that i spinal tap may be a good idea since that may show it. Looking for advice.
4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
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