Open AccessCerebrospinal fluid analysis
Author(s) -
Z. S. Polizopoulou
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of the hellenic veterinary medical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.186
H-Index - 7
eISSN - 2585-3724
pISSN - 1792-2720
DOI - 10.12681/jhvms.15537
Subject(s) - cerebrospinal fluid , medicine , pathology , sampling (signal processing) , physical examination , radiology , filter (signal processing) , computer science , computer vision
The significance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis has been compared to that of complete blood counts for systemic diseases. CSF changes generally follow specific patterns depending on the etiopathogenesis (inflammatory, metabolic, neoplastic) of neurological diseases, thus indicating which further diagnostic modalities should be applied. CSF collection requires operator skills and knowledge of sampling indications and contraindications. Analysis includes physical examination (colour, clarity, viscosity), cytological and biochemical analysis, microbiological and immunologic testing. Despite its limitations, CSF analysis is a useful diagnostic tool, in particular when results are interpreted in combination with historical information, clinical examination and the findings of clinicopathological and diagnostic imaging testing.