Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Detection of beta-2 transferrin in otorrhea or rhinorrhea fluid is a sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of a cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) leak. Patients may be asked to collect this fluid at home in order to obtain an adequate volume for detection and thus the age of these specimens may be variable upon analysis. The purpose of this study is to understand how long beta-2 transferrin remains detectable in CSF when stored in either a freezer or at room temperature.
METHOD
Prospective, IRB approved trial of 6 patients undergoing lumbar drain placement for localization of an anterior skull base CSF leak. In all cases 3mL of CSF was collected and specimens were stored at 4C (n = 4) or room temperature (n = 2). Samples were tested for the presence of beta-2 transferrin for up to 7 days using standard immunofixation electrophoresis techniques.
RESULTS
Beta-2 transferrin was detected in all specimens at three separate time points (Day 0, 3, and 7) regardless of storage temperature.
CONCLUSION
Beta-2 transferrin remains detectable in extracorporeal CSF for up to 7 days regardless of storage temperature. Negative detection in patient specimens up to a week old may therefore be reasonably attributed to a lack of CSF present rather than protein degradation.