Neuron-specific enolase, CSF

Alphabetical Test listing

Neuron-specific enolase, CSF-994

Test name:

Test number:

994

Excellian order number:

LAB994

Abbreviation:

MSO

Alternate names:

CJD
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Neuron specific enolase CSF
NSE

Useful for:

An auxilliary test in the diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
An auxilliary test in the diagnosis of small cell lung carcinoma metastasis to central nervous system or leptomeninges

Specimen type:

Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF)

Collection container:

Sterile vial/container

Volume:

0.5 mL

Minimum volume:

0.3 mL

Processing instructions:

Centrifuge within 1 hour of collection
Transfer 0.5 mL CSF to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp), labelled as CSF
Freeze

Transport container:

Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4 mL (LabCorp)

Transport and stability:

Frozen (preferred) - 1 year

(avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)

Refrigerated - 1 week

Ambient - 72 hours

Specimen retention time:

2 weeks

Reason for rejection:

Gross hemolysis
Gross icterus

Performing lab:

Mayo Clinic Laboratories (NSESF): R-MM

Days set up:

Mo - Sa

TAT:

1 - 4 days

Method:

Homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF)

Reference ranges:

Normal: ≤ 15 ng/mL

Indeterminate: 15-30 ng/mL

Elevated: >30 ng/mL

Elevated results may indicate the need for additional workup. Possible causes may be NSE-secreting central nervous system/leptomeningeal tumor or rapid neuronal destruction from a variety of causes. In the context of dementia, elevated results may be suggestive of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

CPT codes:

83520

Date created:

03/31/2004

Revised date:

01/28/2022

Review date:

12/20/2021