Peculiar cerebrospinal fluid protein patterns in two cases of infantile hydrocephalus

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein abnormalities in 2 hydrocephalic children are described. 1 of the cases presented a degenerative pattern in lumbar CSF protein electrophoresis in spite of high total protein content. This is thought to be due to an excess of tissue proteins as a result of abnormal conditions of circulation and absorption of CSF in hydrocephalus. The other case makes clear the role of inflammation on CSF protein electrophoretic patterns.