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Cerebrospinal fluid: analysis and interpretation in small animals
Author(s) -
Lowrie Mark,
Anderson James
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
in practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.211
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 2042-7689
pISSN - 0263-841X
DOI - 10.1136/inp.d455
Subject(s) - meninges , cerebrospinal fluid , myelitis , medicine , pathology , meningitis , spinal cord , surgery , psychiatry
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bathes the brain and spinal cord, which are ensheathed by the meninges. Any disease occurring within this compartment has the potential to alter the characteristics of this fluid. CSF analysis forms part of the diagnostic evaluation of animals with neurological disease. It is especially useful for the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases such as meningitis, encephalitis or myelitis that affect the central nervous system, the surrounding meninges and nerve roots. This article describes the indications for performing CSF analysis and describes the techniques that can be employed to obtain a sample. It explains how to handle and analyse CSF samples, with particular emphasis on cytological interpretation. Examples of diseases in which CSF analysis is essential in obtaining a definitive diagnosis are used to illustrate the importance of this procedure.