A CSF cell count is a test to measure the number of red and white blood cells that are in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is a clear fluid that circulates in the space surrounding the spinal cord and brain.
How the test is performedA sample of CSF is needed. A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is the most common way to collect this sample. For information on this procedure, see the article on lumbar puncture.
Other methods for collecting CSF are rarely used, by may be recommended in some cases. They include:
After the sample is taken, it is sent to a laboratory for evaluation.
How to prepare for the testSee: Lumbar puncture
How the test will feelSee: Lumbar puncture
Why the test is performedThe CSF cell count may help diagnose meningitis and infection of the brain or spinal cord, a tumor, abscess, or area of tissue death (infarct), and it helps identify inflammation. The cell count may also help identify a hemorrhage.
Normal ValuesThe normal white blood cell count is between 0 and 5. The normal red blood cell count is 0.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanAn increase of white blood cells indicates infection, inflammation, or bleeding into the cerebrospinal fluid. Some causes include:
Finding red blood cells in the CSF may be a sign of bleeding. However, red blood cells in the CSF may also be due to the spinal tap needle hitting a blood vessel while entering the skin or dura.
It is important to see if the red blood cell count returns to normal in samples taken later in the procedure as opposed to earlier. A ratio of the red blood cells to the white blood cells is also calculated to help with diagnosis.
Additional conditions which this test may help diagnose include:
Risks of lumbar puncture include:
Brain herniationmay occur if performed on a person with a mass in the brain such as a tumor or abscess. This can result in brain damage or death. For this reason, a lumbar puncture is not done if other tests show signs of a tumor or abscess.
There may be temporary leg discomfort if a nerve root is irritated by the needle. This passes when the needle is withdrawn.
ReferencesGriggs RC, Jozefowicz RF, Aminoff MJ. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 418.
A CSF cell count is a test to measure the number of red and white blood cells that are in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is a clear fluid that circulates in the space surrounding the spinal cord and brain.
How the test is performedA sample of CSF is needed. A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is the most common way to collect this sample. For information on this procedure, see the article on lumbar puncture.
Other methods for collecting CSF are rarely used, by may be recommended in some cases. They include:
After the sample is taken, it is sent to a laboratory for evaluation.
How to prepare for the testSee: Lumbar puncture
How the test will feelSee: Lumbar puncture
Why the test is performedThe CSF cell count may help diagnose meningitis and infection of the brain or spinal cord, a tumor, abscess, or area of tissue death (infarct), and it helps identify inflammation. The cell count may also help identify bleeding in the spinal fluid.
Normal ValuesThe normal white blood cell count is between 0 and 5. The normal red blood cell count is 0.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
What abnormal results meanAn increase of white blood cells indicates infection, inflammation, or bleeding into the cerebrospinal fluid. Some causes include:
Finding red blood cells in the CSF may be a sign of bleeding. However, red blood cells in the CSF may also be due to the spinal tap needle hitting a blood vessel while entering the skin or dura.
It is important to see if the red blood cell count returns to normal in samples taken later in the procedure as opposed to earlier. A ratio of the red blood cells to the white blood cells is also calculated to help with diagnosis.
Additional conditions which this test may help diagnose include:
Risks of lumbar puncture include:
Brain herniationmay occur if performed on a person with a mass in the brain such as a tumor or abscess. This can result in brain damage or death. For this reason, a lumbar puncture is not done if other tests show signs of a tumor or abscess.
There may be temporary leg discomfort if a nerve root is irritated by the needle. This passes when the needle is withdrawn.
ReferencesGriggs RC, Jozefowicz RF, Aminoff MJ. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 418.
Rosenberg GA. Brain edema and disorders of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Bradley: Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann Elsevier; 2008:chap 63.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 04/30/2011
Kevin Sheth, MD, Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine;David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Yes. Glucose is found there in CSF fluid. CSF glucose level is commonly done by your doctor.
there ara no microbial normal flora in the csf
The spine and brain contain Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Most of the CSF is formed by the choroid plexuses in the ventricles of the brain. Some is also produced by ependymal cells.
In the brain we have small protrusions of the arachnoid and subarachnoid space into the venous system. These protrusions are called arachnoid villi or arachnoid granulations and they allow for drainage of CSF into the venous system. Another source of CSF drainage is the lymphatic system.
multiple sclerosis
The typical finding in Cerebro Spinal Fluid(CSF) of Guillian- Barre syndrome is known as Albumino Cytological dissociation, which means high protein and a low cell count which does not go with the amount of protein detected in CSF.
A growth factor that stimulates white cell production
Assuming you are referring to a CSF count and not a blood test, it means you likely have no infection. A normal CSF white count ranges from 0-5, varying from person to person, a higher number likely means you have an infection causing a high white count. One is a perfectly normal number (assuming you are healthy, in most cases) and should be of no cause for alarm. However if you took a blood test and your white count is one, get to a clean room and settle your affairs.
CsF is the chemical formula of caesium fluoride.
The ependymal cells.
Yes. Glucose is found there in CSF fluid. CSF glucose level is commonly done by your doctor.
there ara no microbial normal flora in the csf
The spine and brain contain Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Colnago-CSF Bardiani was created in 1982.
Since blood-csf barrier is not well developed in neonates protein leak from blood to csf occurs...so csf protein is high in neonates and infants...for similar reason csf protein is elevated in all meningitis due to vascular permeability...
CsF is the chemical formula of caesium fluoride.