CPT® Code 83916

Oligoclonal bands are specific protein fragments produced by plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies. The presence of these bands in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can indicate various neurological conditions. The test for oligoclonal bands requires the collection of two distinct specimens: CSF and blood. The CSF is obtained through a procedure known as a lumbar puncture, which involves inserting a needle into the lower back to access the spinal canal. Blood is collected through a standard venipuncture procedure, where a needle is inserted into a vein, typically in the arm. Once both specimens are collected, they are analyzed to determine the ratio of oligoclonal bands present in the CSF compared to those in the serum. An elevated ratio of bands in the CSF is significant and may suggest the presence of several neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, Devic's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, neurosarcoidosis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, syphilis, primary central nervous system lymphoma, Sjogren's syndrome, and Guillain-Barre syndrome. The testing process utilizes qualitative isoelectric focusing and immunofixation techniques to accurately identify and quantify the oligoclonal bands in both specimen types.