Because no one cares

Introduction:

Ever since I got sick with what I believe to be food poisoning, I have had clear fluid draining from my right nostril (only). In addition I've had splitting headaches and a general feeling of blah. Upon mentioning this phenomenon to an ENT, she referred me to a otolaryngologist in downtown Dallas. She was concerned it could be cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leaking out of my nose even though I've had no traumatic injuries. Her conclusion was it was better to be safe than sorry and check it out.

Hypothesis:

Because this appointment is two weeks away and I'm impatient, especially since we're dealing with my freaking brain here, I decided to run a home test. The clinical test involves testing the provided fluid for the presence of beta-2-transferrin and glucose (5-50mg/dL) both exclusive to CSF and not other mucuosal secretions. Therefore, I intend to use over the counter glucose clinic strips to determine the likelihood that the shit dripping from my nose is fucking CSF.

Materials:

Positive control: Chick-Fil-A Coca-Cola, negative control: filtered water, Sample: freaking damn liquid from my nose (freshly collected by inverting my head for approximately 5 seconds and then bringing it upright and catching the junk), Clinicstix (sensitivity of 50mg/dL), paper towel, camera, time.

Results:

Test strips were placed in all three liquids at the exact same time. Time configuration was as instructed per package directions. Positive control revealed dark intensity as expected. Negative control showed no color change as expected. Sample provided indicated a slight color change when compared to negative control and chart on the Clinicstix package. Above picture shows sample strip placed upon container, the orange and green spectrum from the fluorescent light makes colors bland. Below picture shows strips in this order: Positive control, Negative control, Sample

Discussion:

Although the color change was slight, it was still a change and not exactly what I was hoping for in this experiment. The camera and the green fluorescent lighting also did not provide the ideal backdrop for the pictures taken and if the test is repeated I will use sunlight which has a more white spectrum and will show what was visible to the naked eye.

In addition, the concentration of glucose in CSF can be as low as 5mg/dL up to 50mg/dL in the average Joe. The minimum sensitivity of the Clinicstix test is 50mg/dL, therefore it is possible that the test strips may not provide the accuracy that is needed. But since I don't have a centrifuge to concentrate my sample, nor do I have a mass spectrophotometer hanging around, this is going to have to do until now.

The test did not however show an immediate dark color, such as the positive control, therefore I did not drive my ass to the ER and bust down the door screaming, my brain fluid is leaking!!!!

But, if I can not hold out another two weeks, this event may occur. In closing, this test was an excellent way to kill some naptime time and is what happens when my husband goes to play golf and leaves his nerdy wife home alone.