Transferrin analysis by immunofixation as an aid in the diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea.

Laboratory diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid leakage has been unreliable and has required expensive, labor-intensive radiographic procedures. Recently, using protein electrophoresis and immunofixation, the presence of an isoform of transferrin present only in cerebrospinal fluid has been identified. We describe the value of this simple test in a patient with recurrent meningitis in whom repeated radiographic studies failed to demonstrate a leak.