CSF Flashcards
Why is CSF volume important
If too much: hydrocephalus
BBB compromised, intracranial pressure
CNS membranes
3
Dura mater (outermost)
Arachnoid
[CSF here]
Pia mater (innermost)
CSF production
Brain secretions and plasma filtrate
- One way reabsorption valves for waste
Selective filtration of plasma so chemical composition is different from ultrafiltrate plasma
Fluid output rate
20 ml/hr
Blood brain barrier
Tight capillary endothelium that creates CSF
- substances pass through the cells, atransport/diffusion
CSF volume for ages
Adults: 90-150 mls
Infants: 10-60 mls
CSF components compared to plasma
CSF has more: Na, Mg, Cl
less: glucose, K, bicarb, protein
CSF collection procedure
age, volume, pressure
Adults: between L3 L4
Children: between L4 L5
10-20 mls removed
50-180 mmHg pressure normal
Collection tube order
and why
- 1: chem/serology because least affected by blood or bacteria introduced as a result of the procedure
- 2: micro
- 3: heme/cell count
Collection tube storage
- Heme: fridge up to 4 hrs
- Micro: room temp
- Chem/sero: frozen
CSF that is colored: term
Xanthochromic
Pleocytosis
Increased wbcs and rbcs: cloudy specimen
Clotting in CSF
ALWAYS ABNORMAL
- fibrinogen and plasma proteins
- can be from pellicle formation after fridge
- common in traumatic taps
Proteins in CSF
15-45 mg/dl can be normal, prealbumin, albumin, transferrin
Increased: infections, tumors, hemorr, cns disorders
Decreased: dural tear, cranial pressure
Reasons for proteinsin CSF and difference
Impaired BBB: most cases, albumin
Increased synthesis: less common, IgG