Use of protein electrophoresis in the diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea

The diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhoea on clinical grounds alone can be difficult. We describe how the use of non-invasive electrophoretic analysis of nasal secretions for tau protein (asialotransferrin) helped in the management of cases where the existence of a CSF leak was in doubt. Patients were thus saved unnecessary invasive investigations or surgery. A modification of the method of analysis, which improves diagnostic accuracy, is described.