Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is a group of laboratory tests that measure proteins, sugar (glucose), and other chemicals in the fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis

A sample of CSF is needed. A lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap, is the most common way to collect this sample. For information on this procedure, see lumbar puncture. Other methods for collecting CSF are rarely used, but may be recommended in some cases. See also:

• Cisternal puncture
• Removal of CSF from a tube that is already in the CSF, such as a shunt or ventricular drain
• Ventricular puncture

After the sample is taken, it is sent to the laboratory for evaluation.

See: Lumbar puncture

See: Lumbar puncture

Analysis of CSF can help detect certain conditions and diseases. All of the following can be, but are not always, measured in a sample of CSF:

• Antibodies and DNA of common viruses
• Bacteria (including that which causes syphilis; see:VDRL test)
• Cell count
• Chloride
• Cryptococcal antigen
• Glucose
• Glutamine
• Lactate dehydrogenase
• Oligoclonal banding to look for specific proteins
• Total protein
• Whether there are cancerous cells present

Images

CSF chemistry

Next Section

CSF analysis Results

Review Date: 06/24/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)