Xanthochromia is a yellow, orange, or pink discoloration of the CSF, most often caused by
the lysis of RBCs resulting in hemoglobin breakdown to oxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, and bilirubin
. Discoloration begins after RBCs have been in spinal fluid for about two hours, and remains for two to four weeks.
What does yellow CSF mean?
Xanthochromia
, from the Greek xanthos (ξανθός) “yellow” and chroma (χρώμα) “colour”, is the yellowish appearance of cerebrospinal fluid that occurs several hours after bleeding into the subarachnoid space caused by certain medical conditions, most commonly subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Can CSF be yellow?
Cerebrospinal Fluid
The color of CSF is most usefully described as (1) pink or orange,
(2) yellow
, or (3) brown. These colors correspond to the major pigments derived from red cells: oxyhemoglobin, bilirubin, and methemoglobin. Oxyhemoglobin is red in color, but after dilution in the CSF it appears pink or orange.
Is CSF clear or yellow?
Color of the fluid—
normal is clear and colorless
. Changes in the color of the CSF are not diagnostic but may point to additional substances in the fluid. Yellow, orange, or pink CSF may indicate the breakdown of blood cells due to bleeding into the CSF or the presence of bilirubin.
What color is CSF in bacterial meningitis?
| Table 2: Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis Findings | CSF Characteristic Normal Range Suggestive of Bacterial Meningitis | Color Clear Cloudy | Red blood cell count None None | Gram stain Negative Usually Positive |
|---|
How do I know if my nasal drainage is CSF?
Diagnosis and Tests
Often, the doctor will examine your nose with an endoscope. Your doctor may also ask you to lean forward for several minutes to see if drainage comes out your nose. If the drainage can be collected, it is often
sent for laboratory testing
to confirm that it is cerebrospinal fluid.
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.
Is CSF leak an emergency?
If a CSF leak is suspected, you should see a physician as soon as possible. If symptoms of meningitis (high fever, light sensitivity, neck stiffness) are suspected,
you should go to the emergency room
.
How 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.
Is CSF fluid sticky?
Unlike mucus, which is thick and sticky,
CSF is clear and watery
. Compared with mucus, CSF also has a high concentration of glucose. Checking the glucose levels in nasal discharge can help determine whether it contains CSF.
Can CSF leak cause death?
Background: Post-traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is one of the most troublesome conditions associated with head trauma. CSF fistulae, meningitis/central nervous infection, or
even death may accompany it
.
What happens if CSF leak is not treated?
Untreated CSF leaks can lead to
life-threatening meningitis, brain infections, or stroke
. UT Southwestern specialists offer rapid, accurate diagnosis of this dangerous condition, world-class surgical services to correct it, and pre- and post-surgical care that optimizes each patient’s treatment and recovery.
Is CSF test painful?
During the procedure: You will lie on your side or sit on an exam table. A health care provider will clean your back and inject an anesthetic into your skin, so you
won’t feel pain during
the procedure. Your provider may put a numbing cream on your back before this injection.
What is the normal color of CSF?
| Color of CSF supernatant Conditions or causes | Green Hyperbilirubinemia | Purulent CSF |
|---|
How do you stop brain fluid leakage?
Drinking more fluids
, especially drinks with caffeine, can help slow or stop the leak and may help with headache pain. Headache may be treated with pain relievers and fluids. If the headache lasts longer than a week after a lumbar puncture, a procedure may be done to block the hole that may be leaking fluid.
What does CSF look like with meningitis?
Examination of the CSF in patients with acute bacterial meningitis reveals the characteristic
neutrophilic pleocytosis
(cell count usually ranging from hundreds to a few thousand, with >80% PMNs). In some (25-30%) cases of L monocytogenes meningitis, a lymphocytic predominance may occur.
