Cell Count-CSF verses MS Battery

[Christine418]

Hello Community,
Just when I thought I was understanding the results from CSF, another curve ball for me. so here is my confusion. The neuro order cell count-CSF and MS Battery and blood work. I called the office and they told me no bands in serum, but I had 1 band in test results. I said" I'm looking at my results it states "6 bands", we went back and forth for a bit. what she was saying was, I had 1 band show up in my MS battery. What about the cell count? The office never acknowledge the cell count results to me. They want me to move up my brain MRI and want results from the visual evoke potential, that appt is scheduled. The office also stated for me to get a second opinion with a neuro specializing in MS. So there is 3 ways to get results for o-bands. I'm confused about these o-bands. I'm assuming the MS battery is from the CSF. right? so whats the difference? any thoughts? thanks christine  

[sllowe]

Hi Christine,

It's very important you rely on what your individual results from the tap mean regarding your clinical picture. Only a thorough neuro will be able to explain if this is significant or not. What may be evidence of MS for one, may not be for another. MS is often a difficult clinical diagnosis, one that can very greatly from one person to another. I hope you are able to find out soon.

Our health page may give you a better understanding of o-bands and what they are.
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/Can-you-Diagnose-MS-with-an-LP-that-is-Negative-for-O-bands/show/142?cid=36

Hope this helps.
-Shell

[Christine418]

hello again again
i forgot this, my understanding of CSF with O-bands is this. if you have o-bands show up in CSF more then 4 and O-bands of zero in serum its a good indicater it is MS. but if you have O-bands in serum and CSF it is not MS, it is another disease. thanks christine

[Christine418]

hello again,
let me try to clarify this confusion on test. the neuro ordered
LP- ( 77003 custom)
Cell count- CSF (89051 custom)
MS Battery (84999 custom)
Blood work.
along with other testing.
My test results in my hand states 6 o-bands in the Cell count CSF. I do not have access to the results under MS battery. The office states 1 O-band under these results(MS Battery).they also state 0 o-bands in serum. does this help? ill be checking out the website. thanks.

[mimzy218]

I am confused also. My sinal tap came back wth everything normal. I went on a site www.testsonline.com It was a very good site. You look for the tests they are requesting. It tells you what they are for, what is considered "normal", what indicates dis-ease and what disease. I found it very helpful. My neuro is treating me as if I have MS although he has not specifically diagnosed MS....confusion...is it a state we get out of?

[Maks322]

Don't know if this is helpful, but in an effort to make me understand the spinal tap test, my neuro explained that I have 5 o-bands in the CSF.  He explained its a sign of MS, however it really means something neurological is going on.  Could be MS, maybe something else.
Maureen

[SarahL2491]

I went to "The Neurobiology of Multiple Sclerosis" $158 in ebook form if anyone wants to rush out and buy it (snicker) and there is no test in the MS battery of CSF that determines MS.

Perhaps someone with a smidge more medical knowledge than I with regards to CSF fluid analysis.

When you see the neurologist again, the one they are referring you to, be sure and ask them to explain these questions you have.  You have to remember too, not to over analyze these blood tests, often they run tests on something that you don't really care about......mine did.......

Good luck and keep us posted, we all learn from each other

[SarahL2491]

I do not undrstand the "MS battery" as O bands show up in the CSF and NOT in the serum if they indicate MS.  I am not sure why the "cell count" is important.  You also say that "1 band in test results".....WHICH test results?

My first impression is that they are asking for an MRI based on the 1 O band?

I'll go research MS battery but am very confused over that.