This is a test for a sexually transmitted disease called syphilis. The test is done on a sample of cerebrospinal fluid, which is called CSF. CSF fills the space between the brain and spinal cord and the membranes that surround them. The test can detect antibodies to the germ that causes syphilis. An antibody is a protein that the body produces in response to a foreign substance.

Who is a candidate for the test?

A doctor may want to perform this test if he or she suspects a person has syphilis that involves the central nervous system, the brain, or the spinal cord.

How is the test performed?

To perform the CSF VDRL test, a sample of cerebrospinal fluid is usually collected by a spinal tap, which is also called a lumbar puncture. This procedure is done in the hospital. The person lies on his or her side with the knees bent. An area on the lower back above lumbar vertebrae 3 and 4 is cleaned and sterilized. Next, the area is injected with a local anesthetic, a drug designed to numb the area to pain. When the area is numb, a needle is gently inserted between the vertebrae into the fluid-filled space around the spinal cord. A small sample of the fluid is removed. It is then sent to the laboratory for testing. The person is asked to lie flat for several hours after the test. This can help prevent some of the side effects of the test, such as headache.