Cerebrospinal Fluid
Urinalysis and Body
Fluids Review 514
NORMAL ABNORMALITIES COMMENTS
Color
Clarity
WBC
RBC
Glucose
Examine within 1 hr of collection to avoid
false pos from lysis of RBCs. Centrifuge CSF
& examine against white background.
Cells begin to lyse within 1 hr. Perform cell
count within 30 min of collection. Traditionally
performed in hemacytometer, following lysis
of RBCs with 3% glacial acetic acid. Can be
performed on automated analyzers of sufficient
sensitivity. Differential on stained smear follow-
ing concentration (cytocentrifugation).
Limited diagnostic value.
Blood glucose method.
Colorless
Clear
Adult: 0–5/μL
Newborn: 0–30/μL
(mononuclear)
0
60%–70% of blood glucose
Xanthochromia = slight pink, orange,
or yellow due to oxyhemoglobin or
bilirubin. Seen with subarachnoid
hemorrhage.
Traumatic tap = red or pink, decreas-
ing from tube 1–3.
Cloudy with infection or bleeding.
↑in meningitis.
↑with subarachnoid hemorrhage,
traumatic tap.
↓in bacterial meningitis.
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