The examination of the cerebrospinal fluid and cerebral cyst fluid by paper strip electrophoresis.

The application of the method of paper electrophoresis to the study of the serum proteins is now well established, but it has rarely been applied to the examination of the proteins of the cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.) and not at all to those of the fluids from cerebral cysts. Schneider and Wallenius (1951) have recorded their results in 14 cases, five of which were normal, while more recently Wallenius (1952) examining a larger series was unable to come to any definite conclusions about pathological material, although he found that the normal C.S.F. protein pattern followed closely that of the blood pattern. Labhart, Schweizer, and Staub (1951) examined many fluids but used a microelectrophoretic technique and not the paper strip method. Schaltenbrand (1952) has also examined a large number of fluids. One of the difficulties experienced by some workers has been to obtain an adequate concentration of protein in the fluid. This paper records the results obtained in an examination of 70 pathological cerebrospinal fluids and of 45 cyst fluids found in association with cerebral tumours.