Cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal banding patterns and intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis: Data comparison from a wide patient group

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate laboratory oligoclonal band (OCB) patterns together with related IgG results and compare these results with data obtained through final clinical diagnosis. Also, to evaluate electrophoretic patterns based on reibergrams and the diagnostic value of OCBs in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Patients were grouped based on their diagnosis. Six classic patterns were determined. Oligoclonal band patterns and related IgG results were evaluated and these results were later compared with final clinical diagnoses. Results: A total of 1022 patients with known diagnoses were studied. Electrophoretic patterns and band counting based on Reibergram depictions were significantly different among patients with MS and other neurologic diseases. For all patients with MS, the OCB band positivity rate was 82.4%. Additionally, in the MS group, a significantly higher percentage (36.60%) of OCB positivity with more than 10 bands was detected. When reibergram results in the intrathecal IgG synthesis area and OCB counts (>10) were evaluated together, the diagnostic sensitivity (37%) and specificity (95%) were increased. Conclusion: OCB positivity, band counts, and Reibergram depictions contribute further to the diagnosis of ms when performed together for the neurologic diseases spectrum. OCB count, IgG index values, and Reibergram depictions should all be included in cerebrospinal fluid electrophoresis reports. The combined use of several laboratory test results are expected to provide valuable input for differential diagnosis of neurologic diseases.