CSF oligoclonal bands is a test ordered by physicians when serious health concerns related to your central nervous system arise. Here’s what you need to know about it.
What Is Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)?
Your central nervous system contains a clear liquid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Your spinal cord and your brain make up your nervous system.
CSF actively serves your body with important functions that include:
- Absorbing shocks to your central nervous system
- Circulating nutrients through your bloodstream
- Ensuring that your brain removes toxins
- Sending messages to different parts of the brain
- Influencing changes in behavioral states
When Do You Need a CSF Oligoclonal Bands?
If your physician suspects inflammation in your central nervous system, they will order a CSF oligoclonal bands test.
The purpose of this test is to determine whether or not there are immunoglobulin proteins called oligoclonal bands dwelling in your cerebrospinal fluid. This helps your physician identify the reason for any inflammation that may be present in your central nervous system.
If there is a presence of oligoclonal bands of protein, multiple sclerosis is sometimes suspected as the cause. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that can cause permanent damage to your body’s nerves and the communication mechanisms between your brain and body. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis include:
- Weakness or loss of feeling in one or more limbs
- Tingly shock-like feelings from particular neck movements
- Tremor
- Vision loss
- Blurry vision
- Long-lasting double vision
- Slurred speech
- Bowel or bladder problems
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Other reasons your physician may request a CSF oligoclonal bands test are to identify if other serious illnesses are present, such as:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus, which is an autoimmune disease that causes widespread inflammation in your body
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which creates complications in your central nervous system
- Stroke, which can result in permanent neural damage to the body’s communication with the central nervous system
What Are the Risks Involved With a CSF Oligoclonal Bands Test?
A spinal tap can pose a couple of moderate to low risks. A local anaesthetic is used for the short procedure. Some of the risks for spinal taps include:
- Anaesthetic reactions
- Discomfort and pain at the injection site
- Infections at the injection side
- Headaches
To minimize the risk of negative reactions, be sure to follow your doctor’s advice on fluids and foods, and inform them of any allergies to medications.
How Is the Test Performed?
In order to perform the CSF Oligoclonal Bands test, a sample of your cerebrospinal fluid is retrieved. The most common way to attain a sample is through a lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap.
Spinal taps can be unnerving or uncomfortable, but the procedure is fairly simple. During the procedure, an anesthesiologist will withdraw your spinal fluid by inserting a thin, long needle into your spine above your pelvis. The procedure usually takes about half an hour. Once the sample is retrieved, it is analyzed in a medical laboratory.
What Are Normal and Abnormal Results?
Normal results are reported when no immunoglobulin proteins, called oligoclonal bands, are found in your cerebrospinal fluid.
It is abnormal when there are more than two oligoclonal bands discovered in your cerebrospinal fluid and also absent in your bloodstream. When abnormal results are reported back to your physician, further medical investigations can pursue the cause for the increased presence of immunoglobulin proteins in your cerebrospinal fluid.
