Cerebrospinal Fluid Flashcards
Functions of Cerebrospinal fluid
Supply nutrients to the nervous tissue
Remove metabolic wastes
Produce a mechanical barrier to cushion the brain and spinal cord against trauma
The brain and spinal cord are lined by
Meninges
3 layers of meninges
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater mater
Outer layer that lines the skull and vertebral canal
Dura mater
Dura mater is latin for
Hard mother
Filamentous inner membrane
Arachnoid mater
Appearance of arachnoid mater
Spiderweb-like
Thin membrane lining the surfaces of the brain and spinal cord
Pia mater
Pia mater is latin for
Gentle mother
It is where CSF flows
Subarachnoid space
Location of subarachnoid space
Between the arachnoid and pia mater
CSF is produced in
Choroid plexuses of the two lumbar ventricles and the third and fourth ventricles
Rate of CSF production in adults
20 mL/hour
Normal volume of CSF for adult
90-150 mL
Normal volume of CSF for neonates
10-60 mL
CSF flows through the subarachnoid space and reabsorbed back into the blood capillaries in the arachnoid granulations/villae at a rate equal to its production. True or Fasle?
True
The cells of the arachnoid granulations act as one-way valves that respond to pressure within the central nervous system (CNS) and prevent reflux of the fluid. True or False?
True
Capillary networks that form the CSF from plasma by mechanisms of selective filtration under hydrostatic pressure and active transport secretion
Choroid plexuses
The chemical composition of the CSF resemble an ultrafiltrate of plasma. True or False?
False; does not resemble
Tight-fitting structure of the endothelial cells in the choroid plexuses that prevent the passage of many molecules
Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)
Functions of BBB
Protect the brain from chemicals and other substances circulating in the blood that could harm the brain tissue. Also prevent the passage of helpful substances including antibodies and medications
Disruption of the blood–brain barrier by diseases results to
Leukocytes, proteins, and additional chemicals to enter the CSF
CSF is routinely collected by
Lumbar puncture/tap
Cisternal puncture
Location for lumbar puncture
Between the third, fourth, or fifth lumbar vertebra
Volume of CSF collected under normal pressure
20 mL
Volume of CSF collected if pressure is less than or greater than normal
1-2 mL
CSF is collected in how many tubes?
3
The use of 1st tube
Chemical and serologic tests
The use of 2nd tube
Microbiology
The use of 3rd tube
Hematology
A fourth tube may be drawn for
Microbiology
Serology
Order of testing for CSF
Micro → Hema → Chemistry/Serology
CSF tests are performed on a STAT basis. True or False?
True
How to maintain the specimen if STAT is not possible?
Hematology tubes are refrigerated
Microbiology tubes remain at room temperature
Chemistry and serology tubes are frozen
Normal appearance of CSF
Crystal-clear
Cloudy or turbid, milky indicates
Increase WBC that is >200 /µL
Increase RBC that is >400/µL
Increased protein or lipid concentration
Presence of infection (meningitis)
Disorders affecting the blood-brain barrier
Xanthochromic CSF indicates
Presence of RBC degradation products
Color of CSF if there is a very slight amount of oxyhemoglobin
Pink
Color of CSF if there is a heavy hemolysis
Orange
Color of CSF due to conversion of oxyhemoglobin to unconjugated bilirubin
Yellow
Color of CSF due to methemoglobin formation, hematoma, melanin
Brown
> 6000 RBCs /µL in CSF indicates
Hemolysis
Nonpathologic cause of bloody CSF
Traumatic tap
Pathologic cause of bloody CSF
Intracranial hemorrhage / cerebral hemorrhage
Viscous CSF is caused by
Cryptococcal meningitis
Metastasizing mucin producing adenocarcinoma
Cause of oily CSF
Radiographic contrast dye
Cause of clotted CSF
Disorders affecting the blood-brain barrier
CSF with pellicle formation
Tubercular meningitis
Distribution of blood in case of intracranial hemorrhage
Even in all 3 tubes
Distribution of blood in case of traumatic tap
Uneven; tube 1 has the heaviest concentration of blood, and gradually diminishing amounts in Tubes 2 and 3
Difference between intracranial hemorrhage and traumatic tap in terms of clot formation
Absent in IH; present in TT
Difference between intracranial hemorrhage and traumatic tap in terms of xanthochromic supernatant
Common in IH; not common in TT
Difference between intracranial hemorrhage and traumatic tap in terms of erythrophagocytosis
Present in IH; absent in TT
Difference between intracranial hemorrhage and traumatic tap in terms of D-dimer test
Positive in IH; negative in TT
Most common or routinely performed test on CSF specimens
WBC count
How to calculate for CSF RBC count
Perform a total cell count and a WBC count and subtract the WBC count from the total count
WBCs (particularly granulocytes) and RBCs begin to lyse within
1 hour
Amount of leukocytes that disintegrate after 2 hours
40%
Specimens that cannot be analyzed immediately should be
Refrigerated