Why Is CSF Important In Meningitis?

CSF is a clear, watery liquid that normally flows freely around the brain and spinal cord. With meningitis and encephalitis, the flow of CSF may slow or become obstructed, which

can increase CSF pressure, increase pressure on the brain and spinal cord

, and decrease blood flow to the brain.

What changes in the CSF are detected during meningitis?

Typical CSF abnormalities associated with bacterial meningitis include the following:

Turbidity

.

Increased opening pressure

(>180 mm water) Pleocytosis (usually of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes); WBC counts > 10 cells/mm.

What is CSF in meningitis?

For a definitive diagnosis of meningitis, you'll need a spinal tap to collect

cerebrospinal fluid

(CSF). In people with meningitis, the CSF often shows a low sugar (glucose) level along with an increased white blood cell count and increased protein.

What is the normal range of CSF?

Normal Results

CSF total protein:

15 to 60 mg/100 mL

. Gamma globulin: 3% to 12% of the total protein. CSF glucose: 50 to 80 mg/100 mL (or greater than two thirds of blood sugar level) CSF cell count: 0 to 5 white blood cells (all mononuclear), and no red blood cells.

How do you get CSF for meningitis?

Remove CSF

(1 ml minimum, 3-4 ml if possible)

and collect into sterile screw-cap tubes. If 3-4 ml CSF is available, use 3 separate tubes and place approximately 1ml into each tube. Withdraw the needle and cover the insertion site with an adhesive bandage.

How can you tell the difference between viral and bacterial meningitis?

The clues that the doctor uses are

the levels of white cells, protein and glucose in the CSF

. Typically in bacterial meningitis the white cell count is much higher than in viral meningitis (and is a different type of white cell), the protein is much higher and the glucose is much lower than in viral meningitis.

What is CSF used to diagnose?

A CSF analysis may include tests to diagnose:

Infectious diseases of the brain and spinal cord

, including meningitis and encephalitis. CSF tests for infections look at white blood cells, bacteria, and other substances in the cerebrospinal fluid.

What does CSF look like in bacterial meningitis?

Lumbar puncture (LP) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings in bacterial meningitis include the following: Appearance:

Clear, cloudy, or purulent

. Opening pressure: Elevated (>25 cm H

₂

O) WBC count: >100 cells/μL (>90% PMN); partially treated cases may have as low as 1 WBC/μL.

What does high protein in CSF indicate?

An abnormal protein level in the CSF suggests

a problem in the central nervous system

. Increased protein level may be a sign of a tumor, bleeding, nerve inflammation, or injury. A blockage in the flow of spinal fluid can cause the rapid buildup of protein in the lower spinal area.

What are the two types of meningitis?

• Viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis. …
• Bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is contagious and caused by infection from certain bacteria. …
• Fungal meningitis. Fungal meningitis is a rare type of meningitis. …
• Parasitic meningitis. …
• Non-infectious meningitis.

What does blood in CSF indicate?

CSF total cell counts

Red blood cell (RBC) count—normally no red blood cells are present in the CSF. The presence of red blood cells may indicate bleeding into the CSF or may indicate a “

traumatic tap

” – blood that leaked into the CSF sample during collection.

Can a CSF leak cause death?

CSF leaks most commonly occur from trauma or surgery; however, they can also occur spontaneously without an identifiable cause. Untreated CSF leaks can represent a potentially life threatening situation leading to meningitis, brain infection,

stroke and death

.

How do you read a CSF report?

1. Appearance: Clear.
2. Opening pressure: 10-20 cmCSF.
3. WBC count: 0-5 cells/μL.
4. Glucose level: >60% of serum glucose.
5. Protein level:
6. Consider additional tests: CSF culture, others depending on clinical findings.

What does CSF look like?

Normal CSF is

a clear, colorless fluid

that contains small quantities of glucose (a sugar) and protein. CSF surrounds the outside of the brain and spinal cord and also fills the ventricles (spaces) of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord.

How do you perform a CSF exam?

When the area has become numb, a special needle is inserted through the skin, between two vertebrae, and into your spinal canal. An “opening” or initial pressure reading of the CSF is obtained. The doctor then collects a small amount of CSF in multiple sterile vials.

How do you identify bacterial meningitis?

1. Sudden high fever.
2. Stiff neck.
3. Severe headache that seems different from normal.
4. Headache with nausea or vomiting.
5. Confusion or difficulty concentrating.
6. Seizures.
7. Sleepiness or difficulty waking.
8. Sensitivity to light.