Cerebrospinal Fluid Flashcards
functions of CSF
- Supply nutrients
- Remove wastes
- Maintain intracranial pressure
- Cushion (BBB)
Identify the layer of meninges:
hard mother
lines the skull and vertebral canal
dura mater
Identify the layer of meninges:
filamentous inner membrane
spiderweb-like
arachnoid
Identify the layer of meninges:
gentle mother
thin membrane lining the surfaces of brain and spinal cord
pia mater
Where is the CSF produced?
choroid plexuses
How much is the production of CSF per hour?
20mL/hr
CSF RI in adults
90-150mL
CSF RI in neonates
10-60mL
tigh-fitting junctures that prevent the passage of antibodies, leukocytes, protein, and some medications in the choroid plexuses
Blood Brain Barrier
specimen collection of CSF
lumbar puncture
(between 3rd and 4th / 4th and 5th lumbar vertebra)
Identify the tube number in CSF collection:
chemical and serological tests
Tube 1
Identify the tube number in CSF collection:
microbiology
Tube 2
Identify the tube number in CSF collection:
hematology (cell count)
Tube 3
What is the purpose of fourth tube CSF collection?
confirmatory test for microbiology lab
If tube 1 (chem + sero) cannot be tested immediately, what is its required temperature for storage?
frozen
If tube 2 (microbio) cannot be tested immediately, what is its required temperature for storage?
room temperature
If tube 3 (hema) cannot be tested immediately, what is its required temperature for storage?
refrigerated up to 4hrs
What is the term used to describe CSF supernatant that is pink, orange, or yellow?
RBC degradation products, ↑ bilirubin and protein, carotene and melanoma
xantochromia
What is the significance of having protein in the CSF?
Disorders affecting BBB
3 Indications of traumatic tap collection
- uneven blood distribution
- clot formation
- xanthrochromic supernatant
What is the cell count that is routinely performed on CSF specimens?
WBC Count
lysing factor used in WBC count to lyse RBCs
3% glacial acetic acid
What is the stain used during WBC count to stain WBCs?
Methylene Blue
Number of cells counted for differential count
100 cells
What is the stain used for differential counting?
Wright’s stain
What is the purpose of adding albumin during cytocentrifugation?
Increases cell yield and decreases cell distortion
2 cells normally found in CSF specimen
monocytes and lymphocytes
increased lymphocytes and monocytes
pleocytosis
indication of HIV infection and AIDs
lymphocytes
indication of coccidioidal meningitis
eosinophils
indication of Guillain-Baree syndrome and Sarcoidosis
Plasma cells
What is the chemical test most frequently performed on CSF?
Protein determination
RI for total CSF protein
15-45mg/dL
What makes up most of CSF protein?
albumin
What composes alpha globulins?
haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin
Major beta globulin present in CSF
Transferrin
Identify the type of meningitis:
neutrophils present
bacterial meningitis
Identify the type of meningitis:
- normal glucose
- normal lactate
viral meningitis
Identify the type of meningitis:
- presence of weblike clot or pellicle
- (+) M. tuberculosis
mycobacterial (tubercular) meningitis
Identify the type of meningitis:
(+) India ink test
Cryptococcus neoformans
fungal meningitis
