CSF Flashcards
What are the three layers of meninges?
dura mater, arachnoid, pia mater
CFS is produced by the?
Choroid plexuses of the two lumbar ventricles and the third and fourth ventricles
In adults, approximately ______ of fluid is produced every hour
20 mL
What is the normal volume of CSF in adults?
90 to 150 mL
What is the normal volume of CSF in neonates?
10 to 60 mL
It reabsorbs the circulating fluid back into the blood capillaries at a rate equal to its production
arachnoid granulations/villae
They act as one-way valves that respond to pressure within the central nervous system (CNS) and prevent reflux of the fluid
Cells of the arachnoid granulations
These are capillary networks that form the CSF from plasma by mechanisms of selective filtration under hydrostatic pressure and active transport secretion
choroid plexuses
This is a very tight-fitting junctures that prevent the passage of many
molecules
blood–brain barrier
CSF is routinely collected by lumbar puncture between the?
third, fourth, or fifth lumbar vertebra
This tube is used for chemical and serologic tests because these tests are least affected by blood or bacteria introduced as a result of the tap procedure
Tube 1
This tube is usually designated for the microbiology Laboratory
Tube 2
This tube is used for the cell count because it is the least likely to contain cells introduced by the spinal tap procedure
Tube 3
A fourth tube may be drawn for the _____________ to better exclude skin contamination or for additional ____________.
microbiology laboratory & serologic tests, respectively
If it is not possible to perform tests STAT, the CSF specimen for hematology must be?
refrigerated
If it is not possible to perform tests STAT, the CSF specimen for chemistry and serology must be?
frozen
If it is not possible to perform tests STAT, the CSF specimen for microbiology must be?
remained at room temperature
It can be the result of an increased protein or lipid concentration, but also be indicative of infection
Cloudy, turbid, or milky specimen
If only one tube can be collected, it must be tested first by?
microbiology
It is not unusual for cell counts requested to be performed on both ______ and ______ to check for cellular contamination by the puncture
Tubes 1 and Tube 4. respectively
It is a term used to describe CSF supernatant that is pink, orange, or yellow.
Xanthochromia
The most common cause of xanthochromia is?
Presence of RBC degradation products
A xanthochromic color due to a very slight amount of oxyhemoglobin
Pink
A xanthochromic color due to heavy hemolysis
Orange
A xanthochromic color due to the conversion of oxyhemoglobin to unconjugated bilirubin
Yellow
Other causes of xanthochromia aside from RBC degradation include:
elevated serum bilirubin, presence of the pigment
carotene, increased protein concentrations,
melanoma pigment, and bilirubin
due to immature liver function
This can be an indication of intracranial hemorrhage, but it may also be due to the puncture of a blood vessel during the spinal tap procedure
Grossly bloody CSF
