###1: Decadienoylcarnitine [Moles/volume] in Cerebrospinal Fluid
###3: This specialized test measures decadienoylcarnitine, an acylcarnitine involved in cellular energy metabolism, in cerebrospinal fluid. It is used as part of the evaluation of certain inherited metabolic disorders.
["###4: An abnormal result may indicate a fatty-acid or peroxisomal metabolism disorder, but it must be interpreted with other tests and clinical findings."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 53464-4
- Short code
- Decadienoylcarn CSF-sCnc
- Synonyms
- Decadienoylcarn CSF-sCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- csf
- Container
- Sterile tube
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL
- Stability
- Immediate analysis required, Refrigerated: 1h
- Hemolysis max
- 200
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
###5: What the Test Measures
###6: Decadienoylcarnitine is a form of carnitine used to carry fatty acids into mitochondria, where they help produce energy. This test measures its concentration in cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
###7: How the Test Is Performed
###8: Cerebrospinal fluid is usually collected through a lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap. The sample is sent to a laboratory for specialized quantitative analysis.
###9: Why the Test Is Ordered
###10: This test may be ordered when an inherited disorder affecting fatty-acid oxidation, peroxisomes, or neurological development is suspected. It is generally interpreted together with a broader metabolic panel, genetic testing, imaging, and the patient's symptoms.
###11: Understanding the Results
###11: Results may be reported as normal or elevated, and reference intervals can vary by laboratory and patient age. An isolated abnormal result does not establish a diagnosis, and results outside the laboratory's expected interval should be reviewed by the ordering clinician.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
###13: Elevated decadienoylcarnitine in cerebrospinal fluid can occur in inherited disorders of fatty-acid or peroxisomal metabolism, including some disorders associated with neurologic abnormalities. Because nonspecific abnormalities can have other causes, this result is most useful when evaluated by a metabolic or genetics specialist alongside the rest of the diagnostic workup.
Short name
###2: CSF Decadienoylcarnitine
Frequently asked questions
###14: Does an elevated result mean I have a metabolic disorder?
###16: Is this the same as a routine carnitine test?
###18: Can the result be affected by medication or treatment?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
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Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy